To use the EXPDT retention method to manage DFSMShsm tapes, you must specify RETENTIONMETHOD(EXPDT) for DFSMShsm tape volumes and a RETAINBY value. With the EXPDT retention method, volumes and volume sets can be retained as individual volumes, as volume sets, or based on the expiration date of the first file.

You must also specify a expiration date or retention period for each volume.

You can specify that volumes purged from DFSMShsm are to be retained a few extra days to be sure that purged volumes do not contain any data that might still be needed. DFSMShsm migration and backup volumes can be retained by EXPDT=99365 and you can optionally set EXPDT to the current date or a future date when the volume is purged from DFSMShsm with EDGTVEXT. See the parmlib option TVEXTPURGE with the EXPIRE(days) subparameter.

See the "Retention Methods" topic in z/OS DFSMSrmm Managing and Using Removable Media, SC23-6873 for considerations on using the EXPDT retention method.