ABSTRACT
The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) are a progressive set of information access regulations, which allow people to get their hands on environmental information. The UK was obliged to implement these as part of its membership of the European Union and they are widely accepted as being easier to access information from than under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. An individual's right to access information about themselves is covered under the Data Protection Act. This right is conferred by the ability to make a Subject Access Request (SAR), Section 7 of the Data Protection Act allows the right of access to personal data. There is a limited right of access to documents that relate to the auditing of accounts of public bodies. The Audit Commission Act 1998 requires that public authorities make their financial accounts complete by the end of each financial year, before they are audited.
