Stronger checks on company names are being carried out from this week, as the first measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023) come into force
From 4 March, Companies House has greater powers to query information and request supporting evidence, tackle and remove factually inaccurate information, and share data with government departments and law enforcement agencies. Companies must supply a registered email address and can no longer use a PO Box as their registered office address.
Also from this week, anyone forming a company must confirm they are doing so for a ’lawful purpose’ and that future activities will be lawful.
Companies House CEO Louise Smyth said: ‘These new and enhanced powers are the most significant change for Companies House in our 180-year history. We are prioritising cases where people’s names and addresses have been used without their consent.’
ECCTA 2023 will have a phased roll out. Future reforms include identity verification and a requirement to submit profit and loss accounts.RELATED ARTICLES
