Companies Act Legislation -
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 Company number on your website. Prices on your website must be clear. Also, you mustsay whether prices
include tax and delivery costs.