Fair information trader - principles and practices

gold grains The British Geological Survey (BGS) has achieved accreditation under the Information Fair Trader Scheme (IFTS) from the Director of the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).

I am committed personally to making sure that the British Geological Survey (BGS) trades fairly in information. The BGS was the first non-Crown body to be accredited to the Information Fair Trader Scheme, so demonstrating its strength of commitment to the principles and practices of the scheme. The role of information trading is written into the BGS business model.

I will insist that the BGS follows strictly a system of open and transparent trading that meets the terms of the Competition Act 1998. My aim is that, in principle, the BGS can meet the needs of anyone who applies for a licence to re-use public sector information for any purpose. We will publish any exceptions on our website and follow them strictly.

Prices are set in line with HM Treasury guidelines, and pricing policy is based on the principles central to the Baker Review (1999)1 and the RIPSS Review (2004)2. Prices will continue to be published on the BGS website, and followed strictly. Any exceptions to our pricing and access policies will be described in full on the website, and will be available to anyone who qualifies for them. The BGS will also protect its intellectual property rights with vigour.

I am committed to reducing as far as possible the administrative burden on users of BGS’s information. I will advise the Director of the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) of any complaints I receive that my organisation has broken this commitment, and I will investigate them thoroughly. If the OPSI decides to investigate a complaint, I will allow the OPSI investigation team to see the relevant staff and records.


John Ludden
Executive Director,
British Geological Survey

1 'Creating knowledge, creating wealth'. Realising the economic potential of public sector research establishments. A report by John Baker to the Minister for Science and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. HM Treasury, August 1999.

2 PSREs and the Science Base. A policy for sustainable trading and joint strategic investment in PSRE infrastructure. The final report of the Research Council Institute and Public Sector Research Establishments Sustainability Study (RIPSS) Steering Group. DTI, April 2004.