In March 2024, the first wave of changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act came into force, bringing with it new rules, enforcement powers, and compliance obligations for all UK companies. Over the next 12–24 months, Companies House will continue to roll out some of the most significant reforms to company law in decades.
We’re already advising clients on how best to respond, and there are lots of elements to the new landscape.
Here’s what you need to know:
New Rules Already in Force
As of 4 March 2024, the following requirements apply to all companies:
- Appropriate Registered Office Address
Your registered office must now be at a location where:
- Documents can be delivered by hand during business hours, and
- They will come to the attention of someone acting for the company.
This means PO Boxes or “care of” addresses that no one checks can no longer be used.
- Registered Email Address
Companies must now provide a dedicated registered email address to Companies House. This won’t be publicly visible, but it will be used for formal communications. Failing to maintain a valid address is a criminal offence for the company and its officers.
New Financial Penalties for Non-Compliance
From October 2024, Companies House gained the power to issue financial penalties where businesses don’t meet their legal obligations. For example, failing to file your confirmation statement or annual accounts on time.
More enforcement tools are on the horizon, so being proactive about compliance is now essential.
Identity Verification (Coming Soon)
One of the biggest changes still to come is mandatory identity verification for anyone
- Setting up a new company
- Acting as a company director or officer
- Being a Person with Significant Control (PSC)
Verification will be done through the GOV.UK One Login system or via a registered intermediary, known as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Failure to verify in time could result in:
- A criminal offence
- An inability to make filings
- Potential penalties and blocked incorporations
Is your company information up to date? Now is the time to check and correct any issues to avoid delays later.
Becoming an ACSP
Are you an agent or adviser supporting clients with Companies House filings?
To carry out identity checks on behalf of your clients, you’ll need to register as an ACSP. This requires:
- Being supervised under UK AML regulations
- Using the official registration process with Companies House
Accounts Filing (Software Only from 2026)
The online filing service for joint submission of accounts and tax returns (to Companies House and HMRC) will close in March 2026.
Companies will need to:
- Transition to software-only filings, and
- Select an approved provider in time
Make sure your systems are ready and compliant well before the deadline.
How Colman Coyle Can Help
We understand that keeping up with evolving regulation is a challenge, especially for small and medium-sized businesses without in-house legal or compliance teams.
We’re supporting clients with:
- Reviews of registered office and email arrangements
- Confirmation statement and accounts filing compliance
- Identity verification planning and PSC register updates
- ACSP registration and AML alignment
- Ongoing governance and risk mitigation advice
If you need clear, commercial guidance tailored to your business, we’re here to help. The ECCT Act is a major step toward transparency and accountability, and non-compliance is no longer a risk worth taking.
Get in touch with the Company and Commercial team at Colman Coyle to discuss how the changes impact you.
