The INSPIRE Regulations 2009 No 3157, covering England, Northern Ireland and Wales, came into force on 31 December 2009. Separate regulations cover Scotland, The Inspire (Scotland) Regulations No 440. Together they implement EC Directive 2007/2/EC.
The purpose of the regulations is to create a European Spatial Data Infrastructure (ESDI) which aims to improve the sharing of and access to public sector spatial information which ultimately should result in better environmental policies.
Public authorities holding the master copy of spatial data are required to make metadata regarding them available. For the purposes of the legislation, institutions are considered 'public authorities.'
A relevant spatial data set refers to an identifiable collection of spatial data which is electronic in format and relates to an INSPIRE theme.
Further details on the regulations can be accessed from the Office of Public Sector Information website at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/uksi_20093157_en_1.
In addition, a detailed guidance on INSPIRE and how the regulations impact on public authorities can be accessed from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs website at:
http://location.defra.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/inspire-regs-guide.pdf
Guidance on INSPIRE Complaints & Appeals - June 2011
This guidance document provides information for Public Authorities who are providing INSPIRE data and services. Public Authorities are required to put in place processes to handle complaints they receive about the performance of their functions under the INSPIRE Regulations 2009. - http://location.defra.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Guidance-on-INSPIRE-complaints-and-appeals-v1-0.pdf.
(Updated 14/09/11)