Read the Environmental Information Regulations in full:
The Code of Practice on the discharge of the obligations of public authorities under EIR sets out good practice recommendations for public authorities to follow in meeting their obligations under the Regulations.
The Regulations implement the European Union Directive on public access to environmental information and the Directive therefore assists in the interpretation of the Regulations.
The Directive in turn is based on the Aarhus Convention. This is an international agreement, part of which sets out the obligations of the signatories in terms of providing access to environmental information. Both the European Union and the United Kingdom have ratified the Convention. The Aarhus Convention and accompanying Implementation Guide also help in interpreting the Regulations.