Norwegian right to environmental information law breaks new ground

The Norwegian Act on the Right to Information entered into force 1 January 2004. It provides all citizens with a legal right to obtain environmental information, both from public authorities and from public and private enterprises. The act also involves new obligations for private enterprises to provide environmental information to citizens upon request. All areas of economic activity are included. The law gives citizens the right to demand information on everything from production processes to the content of the products that are used and sold.