Environmental information has been accessible in the UK for some time.  The Environmental Information Regulations 1992, which were amended in 1998, gives you the right to ask for information which 'relates to the environment' and which is held by a 'relevant person'. 

In 1998, the UK signed the Aarhus Convention from which an EU Directive was derived.  The new Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 ('the EIRs') ensure that Scotland complies with the Convention and the Directive.

You can request environmental information from us in any format, including verbal requests.  The environmental information regulations apply to a slightly wider range of organisations that the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, and there are some practical differences in the way that you can get hold of information under the Act and under the Regulations.

For assistance with making a request for environmental information you may contact us, or access the website of the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner for more information on www.itspublicknowledge.info