Making a request (2)

How long does the competent authority have to respond to my request?

The competent authority must respond as soon as possible and at the latest within 30 days, except in circumstances where the information requested is particularly complex and voluminous. In such cases the time limit can be extended by a further 30 days. If the time limit is extended, the competent authority must notify you of this delay within 30 days of your initial request, and state when they believe they will be able to respond in full.

Do I have to pay for the information?

The competent/public authority cannot make a charge for allowing you:

(a) access to any public registers or lists of environmental information, or

(b) to examine the information (at a place chosen by the competent/public authority).

For all other situations, charging is at the discretion of the competent authority (any charge must be reasonable).

There is also a requirement for the competent authority to publish a schedule of charges (for example the price per sheet of photocopying), information on the circumstances in which charges may be made or waived, and where advance payment will be required.