What are the regulations that apply?

There is so much information about company registration that it is sometimes hard to know what you need to do when starting out. Some business activities require certain documents to be presented to the local authorities but others don’t. The following provides further information about company registration and when it applies.

If you set up a small business or trade as a freelancer within certain professions, then you will need to register, whether you work under your own name or as a limited company. For example, qualified architects who have set up their own office will need to update the Architects Registration Board with their new company details. Likewise, professionals in the healthcare sector need to provide certain information to public bodies. Doctors must be listed with the General Medical Council, for instance, while freelance nurses must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Similar rules apply for veterinarians and pharmacists.

Most professions that require practitioners to be listed have their own registration office. You should call or visit in person for specific advice about adding your name to their trade register. Although registering your activity in certain professions may be a legal requirement, you don’t always need to document yourself in this way. Some trade registers are not official or regulatory but act as a company register, which allows people in your sector to find you more easily. As such, one of the main reasons for providing your information would be for marketing.

What information do you need to register a trademark?

If you want to submit your company or brand name as a trademark, then you can do so via the government’s trademark office. Nowadays, much of this can be done online. You can check that your trademark does not match any other currently registered English words, logos, specific colours or other combinations before applying. When you apply, you must supply a document called a letter of consent, too.

Legal professionals with training in trademark processing can be helpful to ensure your letter and application are in good order. That said, many people do the entire process by themselves. Remember that your trademark must not infringe upon certain foreign trademarks, which may mean making extensive checks with the World Intellectual Property Organisation before proceeding.

When do you need to report your business to your local authority?

Business registers are held by local councils for all enterprises that operate from commercial premises. This is so that business rates can be levied, something that home-based enterprises do not need to worry about. However, even if you are working from home and don’t need to be on the business register to pay business rates, you will need to inform your council if you work in certain trades.

First, anyone who is working in a freelance educational capacity or in childcare that is conducted from home must offer up their information to the local authority. This is so that the relevant health and safety checks can be made. In addition, national inspection agencies, such as Ofsted, will need to be informed. Likewise, anyone working in food production from their home kitchen will need to provide access to local authority inspectors. Even if you just bake a few cakes or biscuits to sell, registration with your local council is a requirement.

Registering with the Chambers of Commerce

There is no requirement to register with your local chamber but doing so can be beneficial. This network of small British businesses often offers a wealth of information on how and where to be officially registered, depending on the nature of your enterprise. Events can offer a great way of networking with other local businesspeople. Furthermore, many chambers operate in a way that seeks justice for certain commercial sectors by either bringing test cases before the courts or by lobbying the relevant ministry. Joining can mean you are able to contribute your voice to such campaigns.

Self-employed trades that have an official trade register

Along with the aforementioned professions, which have their own registers, certain tradespeople must add their name to the following trade registers:

• The Health and Safety Executive: Divers and mining mechanics.
• Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency: Driving instructors.
• Security Industry Association: Door supervisors and security guards.
• The General Dental Council: Dental assistants.
• The Insolvency Service: Insolvency practitioners.
• Health and Care Professions Council: Podiatrists, dieticians and hearing aid dispensers.
• Construction Skill Certification Scheme: All on-site construction workers.