The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is warning firms not to fall foul of the Companies Act, the initial provisions of which came into force at the start of the year, and ensure that the correct information is displayed on company documents.
The First Company Law Directive has requirements on the minimum information that should be supplied on company documents, including the website, as well as all communications including e-mail.
FPB campaigns manager Victoria Carson spelt out what is expected of businesses: "The company’s name needs to appear in a legible form on all its literature such as business letters, notices or websites. Firms need to be thorough and think about everything from cheques and orders signed on behalf of the company to parcels, receipts, invoices and letters of credit."
Businesses are also expected to include added details such as the company’s place of registration and the number with which it is registered, on business letters, emails, order forms and websites.
Carson is concerned that many firms will be unaware of their new obligations: "Compliance, as is so often the case with new regulations, could be both difficult and expensive, and there will no doubt be a large number of companies that are unaware of these changes. Firms who are found to be non-compliant could face a fine."
More information on the Companies Act 2006 can be found at the website of the Office of Public Sector Information www.opsi.gov.uk.