The existing HDR1 label is inspected for the expiration date. If it is an SMS-managed scratch volume, then the system ignores the expiration date in the label. Otherwise, if the expiration date has not been reached, the system asks the operator to confirm use of the tape or to mount another tape. DFSMSrmm provides facilities that automate the handling of expiration date protection. See z/OS DFSMSrmm Implementation and Customization Guide for more information.

If other data sets exist on the same volume, the system checks only the one expiration date and assumes that all following data sets expire on the same date.