Freedom of information: public access to information held by Ordnance Survey

Welcome to the publication scheme

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 asserts the right of individuals to obtain access to public-authority information to the greatest extent possible consistent with the public interest and the need to protect restricted information.

Ordnance Survey currently makes information routinely available to the public about its functions, activities and schemes or as products available through its Licensed Partners, high-street outlets and directly from Ordnance Survey. Such information will continue to be available without the need to use the FOIA. The Publication Scheme (basically the Ordnance Survey website) highlights, in relation to our activities, where information of this nature is available.

The FOIA is designed to allow public access to information held by public authorities that is not routinely available from other sources. Access to information under the FOIA may be subject to certain exemptions and involves specific procedures and time limits, which are outlined in the general right to access section.

The general right of access

This guide provides information on the structure and activities of Ordnance Survey to assist you in accessing information both outside and under the FOIA. One of the aims of the FOIA is that public authorities should be clear and proactive about the information they will make public. Central to this is the publication scheme or Ordnance Survey website, setting out:

the information we publish or intend to publish;
the manner in which it will be published; and
whether the information is available free of charge or on payment.

While the FOIA sets out two general right of access to information:

Any person making a request for information is entitled to be informed whether a public authority holds the information described in the request.
If that is the case, to have that information communicated to them.

It also sets out 23 exemptions. For most of these we have to consider whether or not the public interest overrides the exemption because it is in the greater public interest to release the information. However, regarding the section 43 exemption Commercial interests, in all likelihood Ordnance Survey will not disclose information considered to prejudice its commercial interests. For more information on our use of this exemption, please refer to our FOIA enquiries log.

If having searched the scheme you cannot find what you are looking for, How to access information explains how and where to make a request for items not covered by our publication scheme.

Information Asset Register

Ordnance Survey holds vast quantities of information, including databases, collections of statistics and research. The government is committed to making its services and information resources accessible to all, and therefore all government department information is held within a searchable database called the Information Asset Register (IAR).

To search these records and find out more about the IAR, simply visit Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) website.

HMSO website