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Information Governance

Environmental Information Regulations 2004

Requests for environmental information or health and safety information are handled under the Environmental Information Regulations (2004) (EIRs) rather than the Freedom of Information Act. Besides this difference, the two legislations are similar in their aims, procedures and provision of the 'right of access'.

Environmental Information includes information which relates to:

  • the elements of the environment, such as air, water, soil, land and landscape
  • factors such as emissions, energy, noise and waste
  • measures which affect the above, such as policies, plans and activities
  • human health and safety, including 'conditions of human life'
  • 'built structures'.

If you would like to make a request for information under the Environmental Information Regulations, please check our Publication Scheme to check if this is already publicly available:

  • Should you wish to make an EIR request by email, please email foi@tees.ac.uk
  • You can also make a request verbally by telephoning 01642 384020.

Please note:

  • As with the Freedom of Information Act, there is an obligation for the University to provide 'advice and assistance'
  • The University has 20 working days to respond to a request however, it is possible to extend the 20 working days limit in certain cases where requests are particularly complicated;
  • The University is obliged to release all requested information unless a specific exception applies. Unlike the Freedom of Information Act, there are no Absolute Exemptions. The University's decision to apply an exception will be made subject to the public interest test and full details of the reason for withholding any information will be provided within our response;