Jump to the following:

Ordnance Survey logo

Discover Ordnance Survey

Skip primary navigation
Site Search

Environmental Information Regulations

The Right of Access

The Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004 provide members of the public with the right to access environmental information held by public authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Environmental information is divided into the following six main areas:

  • The state of the elements of the environment, such as air, water, soil, land, fauna (including human beings).
  • Emissions and discharges, noise, energy, radiation, waste and other such substances.
  • Measures and activities such as policies, plans, and agreements affecting or likely to affect the state of the elements of the environment.
  • Reports, cost-benefit and economic analyses.
  • The state of human health and safety, contamination of the food chain.
  • Cultural sites and built structures (to the extent they may be affected by the state of the elements of the environment).

Please note that Ordnance Survey mapping and mapping data is not considered as environmental information under EIR. EIR is primarily concerned with the state of, or effects upon, the environment. Our mapping data does not indicate this it merely shows that a topographical feature exists in a particular geographic position and similarily the mapping does not declare either the state of a feature or whether any activity has an effect upon it.

Requests for access to our mapping data under EIR will be treated under the section 6 (1) (b) exception under EIR.

More generally access to information under the EIR is subject to exceptions. If an exception applies, access to the information may be refused. However, some exceptions in the regulations are subject to a public interest test. This means that we must explain why the public interest in maintaining the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. There is a general presumption in favour of disclosure. 

How to make a request

If you are unable to locate the information you require from our products, website, Publication Scheme or previous FOI & EIR enquiries log you may make a request under the EIR. There are no restrictions on how to make requests under EIR. You can make the request in writing, over the telephone or in person.

However, it is most helpful to make the request in writing so that Ordnance Survey has an accurate record of your request.

Skip supplementary navigation

For general enquiries, complaints, feedback or suggestions, email: customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk or call us on 08456 05 05 05