Environmental Information Request (EIR 2004)
Formal request to a public authority for environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
When to use this template
Use this template when requesting information about the environment from a public authority โ including local councils, government departments, regulators, water companies, and utility companies that carry out public functions. The EIR 2004 is broader than the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in scope: there is no cost limit, the authority has a duty to proactively disseminate information, and exceptions are subject to a stronger public interest test. Environmental information includes information about air, water, soil, land, landscape, biodiversity, energy, and measures affecting them.
When NOT to use this template
If the information you want is about your own personal data, use a Subject Access Request instead. If you are unsure whether your request is better characterised as an FOI or EIR request, you can cite both statutes in one letter. The EIR does not apply to purely internal administrative information with no environmental element.
Legal Basis
Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/3391), implementing Directive 2003/4/EC (retained in UK law). Regulation 5: duty to make environmental information available on request. Regulation 7: deadline 20 working days. Regulation 12: exceptions are subject to the public interest test. Complaints to the ICO and further appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- โNot citing the EIR 2004 specifically โ this triggers the different (and often more favourable) regime compared to FOIA
- โAccepting a refusal based on an FOIA exemption that would not apply under EIR โ the exception regime is different
- โNot requesting an internal review before going to the ICO
- โFailing to follow up after 20 working days if no response is received
Build Your Letter
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Letter preview
[YOUR FULL NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] [DATE OF REQUEST] Information Officer / Environmental Information Team [PUBLIC AUTHORITY NAME] [AUTHORITY'S ADDRESS] --- Dear Sir or Madam, **ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REQUEST โ ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGULATIONS 2004** I am writing to make a request for environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/3391). **The Information I Am Requesting** I request disclosure of the following environmental information held by [PUBLIC AUTHORITY NAME]: [SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REQUESTED] **Time Period** Where relevant, I am requesting information from: [DATE RANGE FOR THE INFORMATION]. **Format** I would prefer to receive the information in [PREFERRED FORMAT FOR THE RESPONSE] where possible. **Your Obligations** Under Regulation 5 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, you are required to make the requested environmental information available as soon as possible and no later than 20 working days from the date of this request. This deadline may be extended by a further 20 working days for complex or voluminous requests, but you must notify me of the extension within the initial 20-working-day period (Regulation 7(2)). If you refuse to disclose any information, you must provide a refusal notice specifying the exception(s) relied upon under Regulation 12 and explain how the public interest balance weighs in favour of refusal (Regulation 14). If any third-party information is included, please notify affected parties and seek consent where required, but do not delay responding beyond the 20-working-day period on this basis alone. If I am not satisfied with your response, I will request an internal review and, if necessary, complain to the Information Commissioner's Office. Yours faithfully, [YOUR FULL NAME]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point โ adapt it to your specific circumstances.