Legal Requirements for Websites & Email
If you are a limited company and have a website this information affects you.
A business is now required to include: -
- Specific information on their website(s)
- And all their email communication
- Failure to do this breaches the Companies Act and could result in a fine.
What should be included on websites:-
- Registration number and country of registration
- Registered office address on its website/s.
- Vat number
What should be included on emails:-
Any email which could be classed as a "business communication" requires the same information.
- Registration number
- Place of registration
- Registered office address on its website/s.
The information on the website does not have to appear on every page,
it can appear on the About Us page or as part of the terms and conditions.
On an email, it is suggested that a standard footer is designed to include the information
along with any other standard disclaimer message.
More detail of information required:
- Company name
- Geographic address
- Email address of the company
- The company name as well as any trading names must also be stated
- If you include a "contact us" form
- You must also provide an email address and geographic address somewhere easily accessible on the site.
- A contact us form on its own is not sufficient.
- A PO Box is not considered a geographic address.
- If the business is a limited company, the registered office address must be included.
- The company registration number should be given and the place of registration should be stated
- If the business is a member of a trade or professional association, membership details, including any
registration number, needs to be provided.
- VAT number must be stated if the company is registered for VAT. Even if the website is not being used as
an e-commerce website.
- There may be other regulations that apply depending upon whether the company sells direct to consumers
or is a B2B company.
- The above is now a legal requirement for all limited companies.
- It is also considered best practice for any company or sole trader trading on the web.
- This legislation comes under the First Company Law Amendment Directive.
If you need assistance with any of the above points please do not hesitate to contact
Website-Doctor.
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