What this law does
Freedom of Information and Environmental Information are separate access regimes. FOIA provides the general statutory route for recorded information held by covered public authorities, while the Environmental Information Regulations provide a distinct regime where the information is environmental. Choosing the correct regime affects the exemptions/exceptions and some procedural rules.
Important provisions
The sections most likely to matter in ConsumerWise disputes
These are not the only relevant provisions. They are the provisions ConsumerWise currently maps most often to practical guidance.
General right of access
The core right to know whether information is held and, subject to the Act, receive it.
Time for compliance
Sets the general statutory response time, subject to qualifications.
Refusal notice
Sets requirements where a request is refused or an exemption is relied on.
Duty to make environmental information available
The principal EIR access duty.
Refusal to disclose
Sets requirements for refusing environmental information.
Official links: legislation.gov.uk
Connected guidance
See how the law applies in real problems
ConsumerWise tools
Use the law in a guided route
No dedicated ConsumerWise tool uses this framework yet. The linked guides below apply it to real disputes.
The Act name is not the whole answer
A legal outcome can depend on the exact provision, commencement date, territorial application, exceptions, contract type and later amendments. Regulator rules, case law and contractual terms can also matter. ConsumerWise therefore links the law to the practical route rather than treating an Act name as a magic citation.
Official legislation
Check the primary source
ConsumerWise provides general information rather than individual legal advice. Check current wording, commencement, amendments and territorial application against the official source before relying on a provision in a formal dispute.