Companies Act Legislation

Companies Act Legislation - The Companies Act changes to the information you have to display on letterheaded paper, e-mails and websites.

On 1 January 2007, changes to the Companies Act came into force. Almost all businesses are affected.

The Act says that you have to put selected details on communications sent from your business. This is to

make it easier for customers to check if what they have received is from a company they recognise and trust.

Details you have to include

Your company’s registered name must be included on all:

· business letters;

· notices and other official publications;

· websites;

· e-mails;

· bills of exchange;

· promissory notes;

· endorsements;

· cheques;

· orders for money or goods signed by or on behalf of the company; and

· bills, parcels, invoices, receipts, and letters of credit.

The name must be clear and easy to read.

Stationery

Your business letters, e-mails, order forms and websites have to include:

· your company’s place of registration (for example (insert company name) is registered in England);

· your company’s registration number;

· the address of your company’s registered office; and

· details of your company’s membership of a trade or professional association, including any registration

number.

If your company is an investment company or a limited company, you must say so.

All of the rules above apply for hard copy and to communications on paper and by e-mail. If you send

documents by e-mail you should put the details on in the same way as if you were sending them by post.

Websites

You don’t have to have the details on every web page of your website but they should be on the website

somewhere. Most companies put the details on their home page, or the ‘about us’ or ‘legal’ sections.

You have to diplay your VAT number on your website. Prices on your website must be clear. Also, you must

say whether prices include tax and delivery costs.