Article 1 
The object of this Directive is to ensure freedom of access to, and dissemination of, information on the environment held by public authorities and to set out the basic terms and conditions on which such information should be made available. Article 2 For the purposes of this Directive: (a) 'information relating to the environment' shall mean any available information in written, visual, aural or data-base form on the state of water, air, soil, fauna, flora, land and natural sites, and on activities (including those which give rise to nuisances such as noise) or measures adversely affecting, or likely so to affect these, and on activities or measures designed to protect these, including administrative measures and environmental management programmes; (b) 'public authorities' shall mean any public administration at national, regional or local level with responsibilities, and possessing information, relating to the environment with the exception of bodies acting in a judicial or legislative capacity. Article 3 1. Save as provided in this Article, Member States shall ensure that public authorities are required to make available information relating to the environment to any natural or legal person at his request and without his having to prove an interest. Member States shall define the practical arrangements under which such information is effectively made available. 2. Member States may provide for a request for such information to be refused where it affects: - the confidentiality of the proceedings of public authorities, international relations and national defence, - public security, - matters which are, or have been, sub judice, or under enquiry (including disciplinary enquiries), or which are the subject of preliminary investigation proceedings, - commercial and industrial confidentiality, including intellectual property, - the confidentiality of personal data and/or files, - material supplied by a third party without that party being under a legal obligation to do so, - material, the disclosure of which would make it more likely that the environment to which such material related would be damaged. Information held by public authorities shall be supplied in part where it is possible to separate out information on items concerning the interests referred to above. 3. A request for information may be refused where it would involve the supply of unfinished documents or data or internal communications, or where the request is manifestly unreasonable or formulated in too general a manner. 4. A public authority shall respond to a person requesting information as soon as possible and at the latest within two months. The reasons for a refusal to provide the information requested must be given. Article 4 A person who considers that his request for information has been unreasonably refused or ignored, or has been inadequately answered by a public authority, may seek a judicial or administrative review of the decision in accordance with the relevant national legal system. Article 5 Member States may make a charge for supplying the information, but such charge may not exceed a reasonable cost. Article 6 Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that information relating to the environment held by bodies with public responsibilities for the environment and under the control of public authorities is made available on the same terms and conditions as those set out in Articles 3, 4 and 5 either via the competent public authority or directly by the body itself. Article 7 Member States shall take the necessary steps to provide general information to the public on the state of environment by such means as the periodic publication of descriptive reports. Article 8 Four years after the date referred to in Article 9 (1), the Member States shall report to the Commission on the experience gained in the light of which the Commission shall make a report to the European Parliament and the Council together with any proposal for revision which it may consider appropriate. Article 9 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 10 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Directive: (a) 'information relating to the environment' shall mean any available information in written, visual, aural or data-base form on the state of water, air, soil, fauna, flora, land and natural sites, and on activities (including those which give rise to nuisances such as noise) or measures adversely affecting, or likely so to affect these, and on activities or measures designed to protect these, including administrative measures and environmental management programmes; (b) 'public authorities' shall mean any public administration at national, regional or local level with responsibilities, and possessing information, relating to the environment with the exception of bodies acting in a judicial or legislative capacity. Article 3 1. Save as provided in this Article, Member States shall ensure that public authorities are required to make available information relating to the environment to any natural or legal person at his request and without his having to prove an interest. Member States shall define the practical arrangements under which such information is effectively made available. 2. Member States may provide for a request for such information to be refused where it affects: - the confidentiality of the proceedings of public authorities, international relations and national defence, - public security, - matters which are, or have been, sub judice, or under enquiry (including disciplinary enquiries), or which are the subject of preliminary investigation proceedings, - commercial and industrial confidentiality, including intellectual property, - the confidentiality of personal data and/or files, - material supplied by a third party without that party being under a legal obligation to do so, - material, the disclosure of which would make it more likely that the environment to which such material related would be damaged. Information held by public authorities shall be supplied in part where it is possible to separate out information on items concerning the interests referred to above. 3. A request for information may be refused where it would involve the supply of unfinished documents or data or internal communications, or where the request is manifestly unreasonable or formulated in too general a manner. 4. A public authority shall respond to a person requesting information as soon as possible and at the latest within two months. The reasons for a refusal to provide the information requested must be given. Article 4 A person who considers that his request for information has been unreasonably refused or ignored, or has been inadequately answered by a public authority, may seek a judicial or administrative review of the decision in accordance with the relevant national legal system. Article 5 Member States may make a charge for supplying the information, but such charge may not exceed a reasonable cost. Article 6 Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that information relating to the environment held by bodies with public responsibilities for the environment and under the control of public authorities is made available on the same terms and conditions as those set out in Articles 3, 4 and 5 either via the competent public authority or directly by the body itself. Article 7 Member States shall take the necessary steps to provide general information to the public on the state of environment by such means as the periodic publication of descriptive reports. Article 8 Four years after the date referred to in Article 9 (1), the Member States shall report to the Commission on the experience gained in the light of which the Commission shall make a report to the European Parliament and the Council together with any proposal for revision which it may consider appropriate. Article 9 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 10 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.
Article 3 
1. Save as provided in this Article, Member States shall ensure that public authorities are required to make available information relating to the environment to any natural or legal person at his request and without his having to prove an interest. Member States shall define the practical arrangements under which such information is effectively made available. 2. Member States may provide for a request for such information to be refused where it affects: - the confidentiality of the proceedings of public authorities, international relations and national defence, - public security, - matters which are, or have been, sub judice, or under enquiry (including disciplinary enquiries), or which are the subject of preliminary investigation proceedings, - commercial and industrial confidentiality, including intellectual property, - the confidentiality of personal data and/or files, - material supplied by a third party without that party being under a legal obligation to do so, - material, the disclosure of which would make it more likely that the environment to which such material related would be damaged. Information held by public authorities shall be supplied in part where it is possible to separate out information on items concerning the interests referred to above. 3. A request for information may be refused where it would involve the supply of unfinished documents or data or internal communications, or where the request is manifestly unreasonable or formulated in too general a manner. 4. A public authority shall respond to a person requesting information as soon as possible and at the latest within two months. The reasons for a refusal to provide the information requested must be given. Article 4 A person who considers that his request for information has been unreasonably refused or ignored, or has been inadequately answered by a public authority, may seek a judicial or administrative review of the decision in accordance with the relevant national legal system. Article 5 Member States may make a charge for supplying the information, but such charge may not exceed a reasonable cost. Article 6 Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that information relating to the environment held by bodies with public responsibilities for the environment and under the control of public authorities is made available on the same terms and conditions as those set out in Articles 3, 4 and 5 either via the competent public authority or directly by the body itself. Article 7 Member States shall take the necessary steps to provide general information to the public on the state of environment by such means as the periodic publication of descriptive reports. Article 8 Four years after the date referred to in Article 9 (1), the Member States shall report to the Commission on the experience gained in the light of which the Commission shall make a report to the European Parliament and the Council together with any proposal for revision which it may consider appropriate. Article 9 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 10 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.
Article 4 
A person who considers that his request for information has been unreasonably refused or ignored, or has been inadequately answered by a public authority, may seek a judicial or administrative review of the decision in accordance with the relevant national legal system. Article 5 Member States may make a charge for supplying the information, but such charge may not exceed a reasonable cost. Article 6 Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that information relating to the environment held by bodies with public responsibilities for the environment and under the control of public authorities is made available on the same terms and conditions as those set out in Articles 3, 4 and 5 either via the competent public authority or directly by the body itself. Article 7 Member States shall take the necessary steps to provide general information to the public on the state of environment by such means as the periodic publication of descriptive reports. Article 8 Four years after the date referred to in Article 9 (1), the Member States shall report to the Commission on the experience gained in the light of which the Commission shall make a report to the European Parliament and the Council together with any proposal for revision which it may consider appropriate. Article 9 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 10 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.
Article 5 
Member States may make a charge for supplying the information, but such charge may not exceed a reasonable cost. Article 6 Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that information relating to the environment held by bodies with public responsibilities for the environment and under the control of public authorities is made available on the same terms and conditions as those set out in Articles 3, 4 and 5 either via the competent public authority or directly by the body itself. Article 7 Member States shall take the necessary steps to provide general information to the public on the state of environment by such means as the periodic publication of descriptive reports. Article 8 Four years after the date referred to in Article 9 (1), the Member States shall report to the Commission on the experience gained in the light of which the Commission shall make a report to the European Parliament and the Council together with any proposal for revision which it may consider appropriate. Article 9 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 10 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.
Article 6 
Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that information relating to the environment held by bodies with public responsibilities for the environment and under the control of public authorities is made available on the same terms and conditions as those set out in Articles 3, 4 and 5 either via the competent public authority or directly by the body itself. Article 7 Member States shall take the necessary steps to provide general information to the public on the state of environment by such means as the periodic publication of descriptive reports. Article 8 Four years after the date referred to in Article 9 (1), the Member States shall report to the Commission on the experience gained in the light of which the Commission shall make a report to the European Parliament and the Council together with any proposal for revision which it may consider appropriate. Article 9 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 10 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.
Article 7 
Member States shall take the necessary steps to provide general information to the public on the state of environment by such means as the periodic publication of descriptive reports. Article 8 Four years after the date referred to in Article 9 (1), the Member States shall report to the Commission on the experience gained in the light of which the Commission shall make a report to the European Parliament and the Council together with any proposal for revision which it may consider appropriate. Article 9 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 10 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.
Article 8 
Four years after the date referred to in Article 9 (1), the Member States shall report to the Commission on the experience gained in the light of which the Commission shall make a report to the European Parliament and the Council together with any proposal for revision which it may consider appropriate. Article 9 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 10 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.
Article 10 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 1990. For the Council The President P. FLYNN (1) OJ No C 335, 30. 12. 1988, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 120, 16. 5. 1989, p. 231. (3) OJ No C 139, 5. 6. 1989, p. 47. (4) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1. (5) OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1. (6) OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 70, 18. 3. 1987, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 289, 29. 10. 1987, p. 3. (9) OJ No C 156, 15. 6. 1987, p. 138.