What should I do if an individual complains about an information request?

If an applicant believes that you have not complied with the Regulations in handling their request, for example because you have not made the information available, they can complain to you. Complaints are referred to in the Environmental Information Regulations as ‘representations’. The applicant must make the representations within 40 working days of the date on which they believe you failed to comply. 

Under the Environmental Information Regulations, you are obliged to have a procedure in place for considering representations. You must complete the review and inform the applicant of the outcome as soon as possible and within 40 working days after receiving the representations.

Our guidance note on internal reviews and the EIR Code of Practice give further information about dealing with representations under the Regulations.