Differences between Environmental Information Regulations and Freedom of Information Act

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert
Practice notes

Differences between Environmental Information Regulations and Freedom of Information Act

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes
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Similarities between Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations

The principle behind the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FIA 2000) and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR 2004), SI 2004/3391 is the same—to grant rights of access to information held by public authorities.

For further information, see Practice Notes: Environmental Information Regulations 2004—what is environmental information? and Introduction to freedom of information.

More specific similarities include:

  1. •

    time limits—in both regimes, information must be provided by the public authorities within 20 working days if the information is held and if there are no applicable exemptions

  2. •

    duty to provide advice and assistance—both FIA 2000 and EIR 2004 stipulate how public authorities should handle requests. Public authorities must give a reasonable standard of advice and assistance to requestors and prospective requestors

  3. •

    appeals—the same appeal procedures apply

For more information, see Practice Notes:

  1. •

    Environmental Information Regulations 2004—requesting information

  2. •

    Environmental Information Regulations 2004—clarifying requests

  3. •

    Compliance with a freedom of information request

  4. •

    Clarifying freedom of information requests

Despite some similarities,

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United Kingdom
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Key definition:
Brexit definition
What does Brexit mean?

means: (a) the United Kingdom (UK) ceasing to be a member state of the European Union (EU) and/or the European Economic Area (EEA) on exit day; and/or (b) the commencement, end of[ or variation in] any transitional, trading or other arrangements from time to time between: (i) the UK and the EU and/or EEA (including during any implementation period and IP Completion Day); and/or (ii) the UK and any other country, group of countries, international organisation, bloc or body (including the World Trade Organization) in contemplation of or (directly or indirectly) in connection with the UK’s said cessation of membership;

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