Many companies registered within the UK are unaware of the legal requirements for business websites. Companies Act 2006 included a section know as trading disclosures, this section aims to make businesses more transparent to the public, by supplying information such as; directors’ disqualification, the business name(s), location(s) and much more.
To help we have outlined the basics of what is required for websites and emails;
- company name (registered name),
- where in the UK the company is registered (e.g. England and Wales),
- the address of the company’s registered office,
- the company’s registered number,
- if it is a limited company (or exempt from the requirement to use “limited” in its name),
- if the company is being wound up, in administration, receivership or a moratorium is in force in respect of its debts,
- the VAT number,
- and, if the company chooses to publicly display its share capital, then it must show the amount paid.
There are two exceptions for display the company name;
- The company is insolvent,
- and, all of the company directors residential addresses cannot be disclosed to a credit reference agency.
All of the above has been a legal requirement of companies registered in the UK since the 8th November 2006, this includes overseas companies registered in the UK.
This is only a quick guide, if you would like more in depth information on trading disclosures visit Companies House website.
