CHARGES FOR UNDERTAKING RESEARCH AND THE FOI ACT

A substantial proportion of the data which the UKHO holds is made available at an appropriate market-based charge or, in many cases, without charge. Conditions and charges are listed in the Publication Scheme, the UKHO’s online catalogue, or elsewhere on the UKHO website.

In compliance with the FOI Act the UKHO will not charge applicants for answering an RFI where the effort involved does not exceed £600. If the UKHO estimates that the cost of responding to the request will be in excess of this figure, and the UKHO is prepared to proceed with the request, then we will contact the applicant to help refine the request, or alternatively, gain agreement from the applicant that they are willing to pay the charge.

The Charging Process

• Where the expected effort of answering an RFI is estimated at being in excess of £600, the RFI may be refused on the grounds of excessive cost (FOI Act section12).
• An applicant will then be sent notification of this decision with a Fees Notice of the costs involved and our accepted methods of payment (debit/ credit card).
• At this point the applicant is also given the option to restrict the scope of the enquiry so that it falls within the £600 limit.

Please note that any charges levied will not exceed an amount which the UKHO is satisfied is reasonable.

For further information on the charging policy please contact our helpdesk:

Telephone: +44 (0)1823 723366
Fax: +44 (0)1823 251816
Email: helpdesk@ukho.gov.uk