Directive on public access to environmental information

Public authorities are required to release information on request subject to the following exceptions: • the authority does not hold the requested information • the request is manifestly unreasonable; • the request is too general; • the requested information is in the course of completion; • the request concerns internal communications; • the disclosure of the information would adversely affect: • the confidentiality of the proceedings of public authorities or of commercial or industrial information; • public security or national defence; • the course of justice; • intellectual property rights; • the confidentiality of personal data; • the interests of the person who supplied the information on a voluntary basis; or • the protection of the environment. ==Structure==

• Recital • Article 1 – Objectives • Article 2 – Definitions • Article 3 – Access to environmental information upon request • Article 4 – Exceptions • Article 5 – Charges • Article 6 – Access to justice • Article 7 – Dissemination of environmental information • Article 8 – Quality of environmental information • Article 9 – Review procedure • Article 10 – Implementation • Article 11 – Repeal • Article 12 – Entry into force • Article 13 – Addressees • Annex – Correlation table ==Implementation==

In the United Kingdom, the Directive was implemented by the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 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. ==See also==