This article consists of three parts. In the first part, Irmgard Mummenthey describes the responsibilities given to the Hamburg State Archives by the Federal State of Hamburg Archives Act. She examines whether the English term "records management", which is quite often used in a German context, is appropriate when facing German law and decisions by high courts. In the second part, Jenny Kotte introduces the most important national and European standards that may help to improve the quality of records management. Julia Brudegam describes how the Hamburg States Archives advises local government agencies on their records management. There is for example a variety of training courses and informational material available.