Key Changes Happening at Companies House: What You Need to Know

Companies House have begun their planned tightening of regulations to combat company fraud, as well as providing more security for directors.

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023

In October 2023 the ECCTA was introduced into legalisation to combat economic crime and encourage corporate transparency.

Over the course of the next 18 months, around 50 regulations are to be introduced in Companies House anti-fraud reform.

18 November 2025 – identification verification will become a compulsory part of incorporation, and new appointments, and will begin the transition period for all existing directors and persons of significant control (PSCs).

Spring 2026 – Companies House will be authorised to reject any documents delivered to the register by disqualified directors. At the same time, third party agents will be required to be registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). It will only be these ACSPs that can file documents on behalf of disqualified directors, provided they are specified filings

End of 2026 – all existing directors and PSCs will have been required to verify their identity by the point. If they have not, Companies House will begin their compliance activity against those who have failed.

How will identification verification affect me?

From April 2025, voluntary identification verification has been open with Companies House. This can either be done through the Gov.UK One login or through us as your ACSP.

From November 2025, the 12 month transition period given to all existing directors, and PSCs, to verify their identity will begin. Verification must be complete by the date of the annual confirmation statement due in the period. As we are your ACSP, please contact us for confirmation of your deadline.

What happens if I don’t verify my identity?

If verification isn’t completed in time, filings with the registrar may be rejected and legal penalties, or even director disqualification, could follow.

The ‘Failure to Prevent Fraud’ Offence

What is the ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence?

As part of the ECCTA, the failure to prevent fraud offence will be introduced from 1 September 2025 and will mean that companies will be liable for fraud committed by employees, agents or subsidiary companies.

Companies House have implemented this offence as a way to target fraud being committed, a crime that made up 41% of all crime in the UK last year. 

Examples of this offence may include dishonesty in sales practice, withholding of important information from consumers or investors, or false information within financial markets.

Who does the ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence effect?

Currently, the offence applies only to large organisations, which is defined as meeting two of the three following criteria;

-          250+ employees

-          Turnover of over £36m

-          Total assets of over £18m

Companies House reversal on compulsory filing

In June 2025 Companies House issued letters to every registered UK company stating that from April 2027, all small and micro-entities would be required to file full profit and loss statements.

Prior to this, small and micro-entities were allowed to submit abbreviated accounts.

On 3^rd July 2025, the government announced their decision to pause this from being implemented.

It is thought this reversal was to do with the uproar that came from the decision due to the increased expense many companies may incur.

Although the announcement stated it was a pause of the legislation, rather than a complete abolishment, they are yet to announce a new deadline for this to be implemented by.

Protect your personal information at Companies House

Companies House now allow you to protect some of your personal information that currently is available to the public.

You can now request Companies House remove:

-          Your home address if it is used for correspondence, service or as a registered office

-          The day from your date of birth

-          Your signature

-          Your occupation

In order to get these details removed, an application form must be submitted to Companies House. It currently costs £30 to remove these details from each document.

What does this all mean for me and my business?

To ensure you are compliant with Companies House’s new rules make sure you are aware of your deadlines on identification verification. We are here to help do the ID checks that are needed for you and your company, so please get in touch.