HUDDERSFIELD firms have been urged to make sure they comply with new rules affecting every business in Britain.
The Red Tape Team, which is backed by Aspley-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said many firms were still unaware of the Companies Act, which came into force on January 1.
It covers many technical changes relating to shareholders, takeovers and reporting of company results.
But it also includes measures affecting all types of business, such as rules about what information firms must include on all communications going out of their business.
Companies now have to include their registered name on documents such as business letters, websites, bills of exchange, cheques, money orders, invoices, receipts, letters of credit and official publications.
Other changes to the rules include ones forcing firms to state clearly whether they are an investment company or a limited company.
Richard Morris, policy officer for the Red Tape Team, said: "We have been quite surprised by the low profile these changes have been given.
"The changes affect virtually every organisation in the country, so we would have expected more Government publicity.
"Ensuring awareness and understanding of such changes is the key to persuading businesses to accept and comply with them."
The Red Tape Team is paid for by development agency Yorkshire Forward and backed by nine chamber of commerce. Free factsheets on the Act are available at www.red-tape.org
