E-commerce Regulations

Last modified: 3/2010

Since 21 August 2002, the UK's E-commerce Regulations state that certain information relating to a UK registered company's operations must appear on their website.

Even if your website is informational only, it is prudent to include this information anyway, as the definition of ecommerce is not that clear. Business gained via your website, even if not transacted on the web, may fall under the ecommerce banner.

In any case, most of this information is now required under the Companies Act since 31 December 2006.

The following is the minimum information that must be made available to the public:

Registered company name	Per the Companies House registration. Companies House Webcheck Service
Registered office address	Per the Companies House registration. Companies House Webcheck Service
Company registration number	Per the Companies House registration. Companies House Webcheck Service
Place of registration	Typically: "Registered in England and Wales"
Trading name	In the form: ABC Ventures is a trading name of ABC Limited
Email address	It is NOT sufficient just to include a contact form.
Geographical address	The address the company trades from, but may be omitted if you are a company and your registered office address is included.
Trade or professional membership details	Details of membership including membership/registration number.
Regulated profession details	(i) the details of any professional body or similar institution with which the service provider is registered; (ii) his professional title and the member State where that title has been granted; (iii) a reference to the professional rules applicable to the service provider in the member State of establishment and the means to access them
VAT number	Required under VAT registration rules.
What prices include	It must be made clear what prices include, such as vat, packaging and delivery.