Environmental Information Regulations
Encyclopedia
The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) is a UK Statutory Instrument (SI 2004 No. 3391) that provides a statutory right of access to environmental information held by UK public authorities. The regulations came into force on 1 January 2005. The regulations were made by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
under the authority provided by the European Communities Act 1972
, entering into force on 1 January 2005, along with the Freedom of Information Act 2000
.
It is accepted by the UK Government that most maps will contain environmental information.
, although there are bodies such as the BBC which are covered by the Freedom of Information Act but not by the EIR. The Freedom of Information Act sets out a list of the bodies and classes of bodies that are public authorities, the EIR is less prescriptive.
MI5 acknowledge that they are covered by the EIR and have published Environmental Information on their website.
The regulations were originally interpreted by the Information Commissioner to include water companies however the Upper Tribunal has ruled that they are not subject to the Regulations.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is a UK cabinet-level position in charge of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the successor to the positions of Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport...
under the authority provided by the European Communities Act 1972
European Communities Act 1972
European Communities Act 1972 can refer to:*European Communities Act 1972 * European Communities Act 1972...
, entering into force on 1 January 2005, along with the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that creates a public "right of access" to information held by public authorities. It is the implementation of freedom of information legislation in the United Kingdom on a national level...
.
Definition of 'Environmental Information'
Environmental information includes information about air, water, soil, land, flora and fauna, energy, noise, waste and emissions. Environmental Information also includes information about decisions, policies and activities that affect the environment.It is accepted by the UK Government that most maps will contain environmental information.
Public authorities
The coverage of the Environmental Information Regulations is greater than that of the Freedom of Information Act 2000Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that creates a public "right of access" to information held by public authorities. It is the implementation of freedom of information legislation in the United Kingdom on a national level...
, although there are bodies such as the BBC which are covered by the Freedom of Information Act but not by the EIR. The Freedom of Information Act sets out a list of the bodies and classes of bodies that are public authorities, the EIR is less prescriptive.
MI5 acknowledge that they are covered by the EIR and have published Environmental Information on their website.
The regulations were originally interpreted by the Information Commissioner to include water companies however the Upper Tribunal has ruled that they are not subject to the Regulations.