National Security Framework of Antarctica (NSF-A)

1) Media & Information Systems: State Monopoly and Licensing

Policy

All media and information systems (TV, radio, print, digital/news sites, streaming, podcast platforms, newsletters, social channels, programmatic ad networks) must operate under the NSF-A state monopoly.

Private companies may not distribute content independently. To participate, organisations must hold an Annual Review Licence (ARL) and publish content only through state-controlled distribution rails.

What the Annual Review Licence (ARL) requires

1. Approval Scheme Exam: Annual recertification proving understanding of current government directives, editorial safety rules, and franchising quality standards.
2. Editorial Controls: Proven workflows for accuracy, fact-checking, corrections/retentions, and takedown SLAs.
3. Audience & Safety: Age-gating, harm minimisation, disinformation countermeasures, and safeguarding for minors.
4. Data & Privacy: Use of state identity rails; data minimisation; lawful analytics; logs retained per retention schedule.
5. Advertising: Inventory and creatives must pass state pre-clearance; prohibited categories blocked by default.
6. Security: Verified staff, device hardening, secure supply-chain, watermarking/traceability of content.
7. 
   

Franchising Quality Standards (high level)

1. Content Quality: Stylebook compliance, accuracy rate thresholds, correction speed, accessibility standards.
2. Operations Quality: Continuity plans, uptime targets, incident response, moderation SLAs.
3. Cultural & Educational Value: Minimum public-interest and learning content ratios.
4. Transparency: Source attribution, conflicts of interest, funding/lobbying disclosures.
5. 
   

Prohibited without ARL

1. Operating or leasing TV/radio channels.
2. Hosting news/information sites, apps, or newsletters.
3. Running content feeds on social platforms.
4. Selling media inventory or programmatic ads.
5. Printing and circulating newspapers/magazines.

Enforcement

1. Immediate takedown & distribution block; fines, cost recovery.
2. Licence suspension/revocation for repeated breaches.
3. Criminal referral for wilful evasion, covert distribution, or foreign influence ops.
4. Appeals accepted within 15 working days to the Independent Review Panel.

2) Commercial Science Licence (CSL): Competency for Trade & Negotiation

The CSL is mandatory for all businesses and designated individuals conducting negotiations, tenders, contracts, or structured sales within NSF-A. It certifies commercial literacy, ethical practice, tax integrity, product-safety awareness, and anti-fraud competence.

Baseline requirement

1. Level 3 Commercial Competency (CSL-L3) required before negotiating any service or new product.
2. Curriculum areas: contracting, pricing methods, anti-bribery, AML/CTF, tax/VAT integrity, warranty/liability, technical readiness levels, IP/licensing, ESG & product safety declarations, dispute resolution.

Higher-value thresholds

1. Transactions > £75,000 (single or aggregated within 12 months): At least Bachelor-level commercial qualification (CSL-B) for the lead negotiator or signing officer.
2. Transactions > £3,000,000:
3. Advanced Certifications (CSL-A): risk/finance (valuation, hedging), complex procurement, export controls/sanctions, cybersecurity & data residency, environmental impact & decommissioning.
4. Independent risk review and performance security (e.g., bonds, escrow) may be mandated.

Used-Goods Controls (anti-fraud and consumer protection)

1. Compulsory CSL coverage when used-goods value > £9,950 (single item or bundle).
2. A registered expert appraiser must:
3. Perform condition and provenance checks;
4. Provide fair-value assessment and tamper/fraud screening;
5. Recommend the correct sale scheme (auction, sealed-bid, certified resale, parts-only, or recycling) to protect buyers/sellers and tax integrity.
6. Documents required: appraisal report, chain-of-custody log, tax disclosure, warranty/as-is statement.

Who needs the CSL?

1. Any director, officer, sales lead, buyer, or agent who originates, negotiates, or executes agreements.
2. Sub-contractors engaging in pricing, scope changes, or change orders.
3. Marketplaces and brokers operating within NSF-A.

Ongoing obligations

1. Annual recertification (scenario-based exam + ethics attestations).
2. CPD/CPE: Minimum 18 hours/month for scientific/technical professionals tied to commercial decisions.
3. Audit readiness: Maintain deal files, approvals, KYC/AML evidence, and tax records.

Enforcement

1. Contract invalidation, administrative penalties, licence suspension.
2. Trading bans for serial non-compliance; blacklisting of responsible officers.
3. Criminal referral for fraud, falsification, or tax evasion.

3) Process & How to Apply

Media Annual Review Licence (ARL)

1. Register organisation & responsible editors.
2. Submit editorial policy pack, moderation model, security plan, data flows, and franchise quality metrics.
3. Sit the Approval Scheme Exam (key staff).
4. Pilot distribution on state rails (sandbox).
5. Licence issue with scope, channels, and KPIs; annual review scheduled.

Commercial Science Licence (CSL)

1. Nominate all negotiating personnel; map deal thresholds.
2. Complete CSL-L3 (baseline).
3. Obtain CSL-B/CSL-A for higher thresholds where applicable.
4. Register appraisers for used-goods > £9,950.
5. Undergo periodic audits and digital monitoring.

4) Example Scenarios

1. Local newspaper website without ARL: Must cease independent publishing; apply for ARL and move content onto state rails after approval.
2. Software subscription deal £120,000/year: Lead negotiator must hold CSL-B (Bachelor-level).
3. Industrial equipment sale £3.4M: Requires CSL-A, independent risk review, and performance security.
4. Reselling used lab analyser £12,500: Mandatory registered appraisal and CSL coverage before listing.

5) Exemptions & Special Cases

1. Education, research, or public-service communications may obtain tailored franchise scopes under ARL with stricter editorial boundaries.
2. Micro-transactions under CSL may be batch-covered by a licensed supervisor, provided thresholds and approvals are observed.
3. Foreign media or traders must comply fully; foreign licences/certifications are not substitutes for ARL/CSL.

6) Compliance, Monitoring & Appeals

1. Digital Oversight: State rail telemetry, watermarking, KYC/AML, invoice analytics, and anomaly detection.
2. Inspections & Audits: Announced and unannounced; cooperation is mandatory.
3. Appeals: File within 15 working days; outcomes issued within 30 working days unless extended for cause.

7) Key Documents & Contacts

1. ARL Handbook — Editorial & Franchising Standards
2. CSL Syllabus — L3/L-Bachelor/L-Advanced requirements
3. Used-Goods Appraisal Code — Methods, documentation, and fraud checks
4. Sanctions & Penalties Code — Fine bands, suspension criteria, and criminal referral standards

Licensing & Exams: licensing@nationalsecurityframework.org

Media Compliance: media-compliance@nationalsecurityframework.org

Commercial Science: csl@nationalsecurityframework.org

Safeguarding & Reporting: report@nationalsecurityframework.org

Effective date: 26 September 2025 • Version 1.0