Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC

Subject

Environment gen.

Keyword

Access-to-information Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Governance Data collection/reporting Access-to-justice Basic legislation

Geographical area

European Union Countries

Entry into force notes

This Directive entered into force on 14 February 2003.

Abstract

The present Directive aims at guaranteeing the right of access to environmental information held by or for public authorities and at ensuring that such information is progressively made available and disseminated to the public. To this end, computer telecommunication and electronic technology play an essential role and therefore their use shall be promoted (art. 1). Article 7 concerns with detail dissemination of environmental information. The Directive lays down the conditions under which access to environmental information shall be guaranteed by Member States upon request (art. 3). At the same time, article 4 specifies the grounds for refusal. Applicants shall also have the right to access to justice upon refusal of their request or inadequate answer (art. 6).

Full text

English

Website

europa.eu

References - Legislation

Implemented by

Tyrol Environment Information Law 2005.

Legislation | Austria | 2005

Keyword: Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Data collection/reporting, EIA, Registration, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act on providing information on the environment and environmental protection, public participation in environmental protection and on environmental impact assessment.

Legislation | Poland | 2008

Keyword: Access-to-information, Basic legislation, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Environmental planning, Transboundary effects, EIA

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act on access to information relating to the environment (No. 660 of 2006).

Legislation | Denmark | 1994

Keyword: Access-to-information, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regional Act No. 11 implementing European Community Directives 2001/42/EC, 2003/4/EC and 2003/78/EC on environmental and food safety matters.

Legislation | Italy | 2005

Keyword: EIA, Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Food quality control/food safety

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Schleswig-Holstein Environment Information Law.

Legislation | Germany | 2007

Keyword: Pollution control, Access-to-information, Environmental fees/charges, Authorization/permit, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Offences/penalties, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Protection Law (2006)

Legislation | Latvia | 2006 (2013)

Keyword: Framework law, Basic legislation, Pollution control, Polluter pays principle, Precautionary principle, EIA, Access-to-information, Monitoring, Liability/compensation, Freshwater pollution, Sustainable development

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Loi relative à l'accès du public à l'information en matière d'environnement.

Legislation | Belgium | 2006 (2012)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting, Institution, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 662 of 2011).

Legislation | Ireland | 2011

Keyword: EIA, Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act no. 205/2004 on the collection and dissemination of environmental information.

Legislation | Slovakia | 2004 (2019)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting, Registration, Hazardous substances, Emissions

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environment Information Act.

Legislation | Germany | 2004 (2017)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Access-to-information, Environmental fees/charges, Data collection/reporting, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Ministerial Joint Decision No. 11764/653 on public access to environmental information and repealing MJD No. 77921/1440/1995.

Legislation | Greece | 2006

Keyword: Access-to-information, Environmental planning, Data collection/reporting, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Access-to-justice, Governance, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act amending the Act on access to information on environmental issues.

Legislation | Czechia | 2009

Keyword: Access-to-information, Environmental planning, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act amending and supplementing the Act on the collection and dissemination of environmental information.

Legislation | Slovakia | 2009

Keyword: Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting, Registration, Hazardous substances, Emissions

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Rheinland-Pfalz Environment Information Law.

Legislation | Germany | 2005

Keyword: Pollution control, Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting, Authorization/permit, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 133 of 2007).

Legislation | Ireland | 2007

Keyword: EIA, Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Tyrol Environment Information Law 2005.

Legislation | Austria | 2005 (2013)

Keyword: Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Data collection/reporting, EIA, Registration, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Thüringen Environment Information Law.

Legislation | Germany | 2006

Keyword: Basic legislation, Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting, EIA, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Ordonnance sur l'accès à l'information relative à l'environnement dans la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (1).

Legislation | Belgium | 2004

Keyword: Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Freedom of Access to Information on the Environment Regulations, 2005 (L.N. 116 of 2005).

Legislation | Malta | 2005

Keyword: Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 3991 of 2004).

Legislation | United Kingdom | 2004

Keyword: Access-to-information

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 2466 of 2005).

Legislation | United Kingdom | 2005

Keyword: Genetically modified organism (GMO), Data collection/reporting, Access-to-information

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Access to Information which is Relevant to the Environment Law, 2004.

Legislation | Cyprus | 2004

Keyword: Access-to-information, Environmental planning, Basic legislation, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act on access to information on environmental issues.

Legislation | Czechia | 1998 (2010)

Keyword: Access-to-information, Environmental planning, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Ley Nº 27/2006 - Ley que regula los derechos de acceso a la información, de participación pública y de acceso a la justicia en materia de medio ambiente. Texto consolidado.

Legislation | Spain | 2006 (2008)

Keyword: Ecosystem preservation, Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting, Institution, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Pollution control, EIA, Environmental audit, Waste management, Royalties/fees, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act amending the Environmental Protection Act, Act on environmental permits of livestock, the Contaminated Soil Act and various other Acts (No. 446 of 2012).

Legislation | Denmark | 2012

Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Data collection/reporting, Pollution control, Authorization/permit, Freshwater pollution, Fertilizers/nutrients, Emissions, Protection of habitats, Aquaculture, Fishery management and conservation, Management/conservation, Wild fauna, Wild flora

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act amending Nature and Environmental Act and others.

Legislation | Denmark | 2012

Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Data collection/reporting, Protection of environment, Governance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act amending the Law on Natural and Environmental Appeal Board and various other Acts (No. 580 of 2012).

Legislation | Denmark | 2012

Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Data collection/reporting, Registration, Access-to-justice, Access-to-information, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Hamburg Environment Information Law.

Legislation | Germany | 2005 (2016)

Keyword: Pollution control, Access-to-information, Environmental fees/charges, Data collection/reporting, Enforcement/compliance, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act on providing information on the environment and environmental protection, public participation in environmental protection and on environmental impact assessment.

Legislation | Poland | 2008 (2023)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Environmental planning, Transboundary effects, EIA, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Policy/planning, Sustainable development

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regional Act No. 27 on the promotion, organization and development of information and education concerning sustainability.

Legislation | Italy | 2009

Keyword: Access-to-information, Education, Environmental planning, Sustainable development, Biodiversity, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Legislative Decree No. 195 implementing Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information.

Legislation | Italy | 2005

Keyword: Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Governance, Data collection/reporting, Access-to-justice, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (S.S.I. No. 520 of 2004).

Legislation | United Kingdom | 2004

Keyword: Access-to-information

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environment Information Act (UIG).

Legislation | Liechtenstein | 2012 (2013)

Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Governance, Data collection/reporting, Access-to-justice, Access-to-information, Court/tribunal, Dispute settlement, Offences/penalties, Enforcement/compliance, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Order No. 497 on Environmental Surveillance.

Legislation | Denmark | 2013

Keyword: Pollution control, Monitoring, Emissions, Inspection, Data collection/reporting

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Danish Nature Fund Act (No. 1518 of 2014).

Legislation | Denmark | 2014

Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Institution, Access-to-information, Special fund

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 615 of 2014).

Legislation | Ireland | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Act on Public Access to Environmental Information (No. 980 of 2017).

Legislation | Denmark | 1994 (2017)

Keyword: Access-to-information, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Freedom of Information Law (1998)

Legislation | Latvia | 1998 (2015)

Keyword: Access-to-information, Local government, Public participation, Basic legislation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

General Part of the Environmental Code Act (2011)

Legislation | Estonia | 2011 (2023)

Keyword: Protection of environment, Environmental standards, Public health, Cultural heritage, Sustainable development, Biodiversity, Resource/damage valuation, Human rights, Access-to-information, Access-to-justice, Public participation, Authorization/permit, Monitoring, Liability/compensation, Framework law, Governance, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, EIA, Environmental planning, Policy/planning, Standards, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Freshwater pollution, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Law on Radiation Safety and Nuclear Safety (2000)

Legislation | Latvia | 2000 (2014)

Keyword: Radiation, Public health, Procedural matters, Gender

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 158 of 2009 on Requirements with Respect to Environmental Monitoring and the Procedures for Performance Thereof, the Creation of the Register of Polluting Substances and Public Availability of Information

Legislation | Latvia | 2009 (2010)

Keyword: Monitoring, Environmental standards, Procedural matters, Access-to-information, Public health, Public participation, Pollution control, Data collection/reporting, Registration, Research, Standards, Protection of environment, Freshwater pollution, Sustainable development

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Geospatial Information Law (2009)

Legislation | Latvia | 2009

Keyword: Survey/mapping, Cadastre/land registration, Land-use planning, Institution, Zoning, International relations/cooperation, Access-to-information

Source: FAO, FAOLEX