COVID-19 information News and events BGS Shop Hosted sites About BGS Research Data Discovering Geology Home » About BGS » Contact us » Customer feedback About BGS — Contact us Share this article We are committed to providing a high quality and efficient service to our customers and stakeholders. We aim to: address the needs and requirements of all our customers and users through provision of relevant, comprehensive and up-to-date information and advice to modern standards and appropriate specifications determine customer or user needs and requirements through consultation provide work of assured quality within the context of an agreed framework of standards against which it can be judged operate at all times to the highest professional standards emphasise impartiality, confidentiality, reliability and promptness, and value for money treat people at all times with courtesy and respect, and in a professional manner These standards demonstrate our commitment to best practice procedures and will be continuously reviewed in line with government recommendations. We welcome feedback, good or bad, from customers and stakeholders on the quality of the products and services that we offer. Tell us what you think. Make a complaint The British Geological Survey is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI is committed to operating a responsive, transparent and fair complaints process. We follow the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Principles of Good Complaint Handling. You should use this procedure if you want to make a complaint about our standard of service or activities. When to make a complaint using this procedure You should use this complaints procedure if: we have not followed agreed policies, procedures or legal obligations a BGS employee has been unhelpful or insensitive in their dealings with you we have not responded or have taken an unreasonable amount of time to answer a query or request you are dissatisfied with how we have handled a data protection, Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) or Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Information on how to make requests under the legislation can be found here. Do not use this procedure if: the issue you want to complain about is subject to litigation or legal proceedings your complaint has previously been through this procedure and has been closed. When you should use a different procedure: if you are a member of staff, your concerns may be better managed via another UKRI policy or procedure, for example, our grievance procedure (PDF, 343KB) if you want to submit an anonymous complaint, you should read our whistleblowing policy if your complaint is related to research conduct, you should read our policy and guidance on governance of good research conduct. How to make a complaint Step 1 You should make your initial complaint directly to the BGS employee you have been dealing with (for example on an enquiry, application or project) because they are best placed to put matters right as quickly as possible. If they are not able to resolve your complaint, or your complaint is about a member of BGS staff, you may wish to go to step 2 and make a formal complaint. Step 2 You must make your complaint in writing, either by email or letter. Any complaints made via telephone will need to be followed up in writing so that they can be formally investigated. In making a complaint, you should include: your reason for making the complaint, providing a clear description of your experience and what outcome you would like to see the department of BGS your complaint relates to, including a contact name if known if this is your first complaint or if it relates to a previous case your contact details, including telephone number and address. Send your complaint to: BGS Director British Geological Survey Keyworth Nottingham NG12 5GG How we will handle your complaint We will acknowledge your complaint within three working days and, in most cases, provide you with a full response within 20 working days. If it is not possible to provide a full response within this time, we will give you: details of the progress we have made a target date for when we are aiming to respond to your complaint contact details if you want to get in touch with us. How to appeal If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to appeal within 40 working days of the date we responded to your complaint. You can refer your complaint to the Head of Information Governance, UKRI at complaints@ukri.org How to appeal about an information rights response If your concerns relate to a response issued under the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations or the General Data Protection Regulation, a different procedure applies. You should send your appeal to: Head of Information Governance UK Research and Innovation Polaris House North Star Avenue Swindon SN2 1FL Email addresses for appeals relating to: Information rights responses: foi@ukri.org or infogovernance@ukri.org Data Protection/General Data Protection Regulation: dataprotection@ukri.org You may also be interested in Contact us Find out more about the BGS and the services we offer through our enquiries and customer services team. Show more About BGS As the national geological survey, we are the UK’s premier provider of objective and authoritative scientific data, information and knowledge to help society understand our Earth. Show more Was this page helpful? Yes No Cookies policy We’ll assume you’re okay with this, but you can opt out if you wish. More information. 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