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Reference.org
Directive on public access to environmental information
open-in-new
<h2 id="exceptions">Exceptions</h2> <p>Public authorities are required to release information on request subject to the following exceptions:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p> <ul><li>the authority does not hold the requested information</li> <li>the request is manifestly unreasonable;</li> <li>the request is too general;</li> <li>the requested information is in the course of completion;</li> <li>the request concerns internal communications;</li> <li>the disclosure of the information would adversely affect: <ul><li>the <a href="/facts/Confidentiality/JFMubsQm">confidentiality</a> of the proceedings of public authorities or of commercial or industrial information;</li> <li>public security or national defence;</li> <li>the course of justice;</li> <li><a href="/facts/Intellectual_property/PqHW9mVP">intellectual property rights</a>;</li> <li>the confidentiality of <a href="/facts/Personal_data/384PbBg5">personal data</a>;</li> <li>the interests of the person who supplied the information on a voluntary basis; or</li> <li>the protection of the environment.</li></ul></li></ul> <h2 id="structure">Structure</h2> <ul><li>Recital</li> <li>Article 1 – Objectives</li> <li>Article 2 – Definitions</li> <li>Article 3 – Access to environmental information upon request</li> <li>Article 4 – Exceptions</li> <li>Article 5 – Charges</li> <li>Article 6 – Access to justice</li> <li>Article 7 – Dissemination of environmental information</li> <li>Article 8 – Quality of environmental information</li> <li>Article 9 – Review procedure</li> <li>Article 10 – Implementation</li> <li>Article 11 – Repeal</li> <li>Article 12 – Entry into force</li> <li>Article 13 – Addressees</li> <li>Annex – Correlation table</li></ul> <h2 id="implementation">Implementation</h2> <p>In the United Kingdom, the Directive was implemented by <a href="/facts/Environmental_Information_Regulations_2004/hh3Go919">the Environmental Information Regulations 2004</a> and Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004. In the Republic of Ireland, the Directive has been implemented as the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007. </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_European_Union_directives/JTzyTtnm">List of European Union directives</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>EUR-Lex, DIRECTIVE 2003/4/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC, accessed 5 March 2025 <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2003/4/oj" target="_blank">https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2003/4/oj</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"European Court hears reference on meaning of "public authority" under the Environmental Information Directive". 16 April 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2023. <a href="https://www.landmarkchambers.co.uk/resource-post/european-court-hears-reference-on-meaning-of-public-authority-under-the-environmental-information-directive/" target="_blank">https://www.landmarkchambers.co.uk/resource-post/european-court-hears-reference-on-meaning-of-public-authority-under-the-environmental-information-directive/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"EUR-Lex - l28091 - EN - EUR-Lex". <a href="http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/general_provisions/l28091_en.htm" target="_blank">http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/general_provisions/l28091_en.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"EUR-Lex - l28091 - EN - EUR-Lex". <a href="http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/general_provisions/l28091_en.htm" target="_blank">http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/general_provisions/l28091_en.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"EUR-Lex - l28091 - EN - EUR-Lex". <a href="http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/general_provisions/l28091_en.htm" target="_blank">http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/general_provisions/l28091_en.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"EUR-Lex - l28091 - EN - EUR-Lex". <a href="http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/general_provisions/l28091_en.htm" target="_blank">http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/general_provisions/l28091_en.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Article 4 <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>