Directory · 12 entries

Proactive disclosure duties: directory

This directory lists legal duties to publish public records without waiting for a request. Each row names the law and provision, the jurisdiction and what must be published, taken from the text of the law. The UK requires an approved publication scheme ¹. India lists 17 categories in section 4 of its RTI Act ². The US FOIA requires electronic reading rooms ³, and EU institutions keep a public register of documents ⁴. US agencies reported 115% more proactive disclosures in FY2025 than in FY2024 ⁵.

Last checked 6 November 2026

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Freedom of Information Act 2000, s 19(1)
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
What must be published proactively
Adopt and maintain a publication scheme approved by the regulator, publish under it and review it from time to time ¹
Source
legislation.gov.uk ¹
Freedom of Information Act 2000, s 19(2)
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
What must be published proactively
The scheme sets out classes of information, how each is published and whether it is charged for ¹
Source
legislation.gov.uk ¹
Freedom of Information Act 2000, s 19(2A)
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
What must be published proactively
Requested datasets and updated versions, in re-usable electronic form where practical ¹
Source
legislation.gov.uk ¹
Right to Information Act 2005, s 4(1)(b)
Jurisdiction
India
What must be published proactively
17 categories including functions, officers' pay, budgets, subsidy beneficiaries and Public Information Officers, updated every year ²
Source
RTI Act text ²
Right to Information Act 2005, s 4(1)(a)
Jurisdiction
India
What must be published proactively
Keep all records catalogued and indexed, and computerise suitable records subject to resources ²
Source
RTI Act text ²
Right to Information Act 2005, s 4(2)
Jurisdiction
India
What must be published proactively
Constant endeavour to publish information on its own, including online, to reduce the need for requests ²
Source
RTI Act text ²
5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(1)
Jurisdiction
United States
What must be published proactively
Organisation, procedural rules and substantive rules of general applicability in the Federal Register ³
Source
US Code ³
5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)
Jurisdiction
United States
What must be published proactively
Final opinions and orders, policy statements, staff manuals, records requested 3 or more times and an index, in electronic format ³
Source
US Code ³
5 U.S.C. § 552(e)
Jurisdiction
United States
What must be published proactively
Annual report to the Attorney General by 1 February on requests, denials, appeals, fees and staff ³
Source
US Code ³
Regulation (EC) 1049/2001, Art 11
Jurisdiction
European Union
What must be published proactively
Public register of documents with reference number, subject and date ⁴
Source
EUR-Lex ⁴
Regulation (EC) 1049/2001, Art 12
Jurisdiction
European Union
What must be published proactively
Direct electronic access to documents as far as possible, legislative documents in particular ⁴
Source
EUR-Lex ⁴
Regulation (EC) 1049/2001, Art 17
Jurisdiction
European Union
What must be published proactively
Annual report with the number of refusals and the reasons ⁴
Source
EUR-Lex ⁴

Notes

The table summarises the text of each law. It does not measure how well bodies comply. US government-wide figures on proactive disclosure come from the Department of Justice ⁵.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@publicrecordgaps.com.

Freedom of Information Act 2000, s 19(1)

Freedom of Information Act 2000, s 19(2)

Freedom of Information Act 2000, s 19(2A)

Right to Information Act 2005, s 4(1)(b)

Right to Information Act 2005, s 4(1)(a)

Right to Information Act 2005, s 4(2)

5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(1)

5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)

5 U.S.C. § 552(e)

Regulation (EC) 1049/2001, Art 11

Regulation (EC) 1049/2001, Art 12

Regulation (EC) 1049/2001, Art 17

Notes

Sources