Environmental Information Regulations: Consultation

DEFRA has started a consultation for new Environmental Information Regulations. Under the existing Environmental Information Regulations 1992 (as amended) the public already has a legal right of access to environmental information. The proposed new regulations are a step towards full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and will ensure the UK fulfils its obligation to the UN "Aarhus Convention".

A member of the public can currently request environmental information from a public body. The public body has two months in which to provide the information (unless there is a genuine reason why the information cannot be provided).

The proposed Environmental Information Regulations 2002:

- will reduce the response period to one month
- define what is "environmental information"
- define the bodies that the regulations apply to. Basically this is still public bodies plus private bodies performing public admin functions. The latter covers privatised water authorities and power companies. These organisations are already covered by the current regulations

Furthermore, an information Commissioner and Information Tribunal will be established to provide a strengthened means of review for people wishing to obtain information.

So in summary, there is little change to the existing system.
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