Companies House has announced a delay to the next phase of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act implementation, giving accountants, company secretarial professionals and other filing agents additional time to prepare.
Under the ECCT Act, identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025 for individuals setting up, running, owning or controlling a UK company. The reforms are designed to improve the accuracy, transparency and integrity of the Companies House register.
A further requirement was due to be introduced for individuals and organisations submitting documents to Companies House on behalf of clients, known as “presenters”. These presenters will eventually need to either verify their identity or register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) before filing statutory documents.
However, Companies House has now confirmed that these presenter filing restrictions will not be introduced before November 2027. In addition, businesses and advisers will receive at least six months’ notice before the changes take effect.
Why Has the Timeline Changed?
According to Companies House, the revised timetable reflects the scale and complexity of the reforms, which require changes across all statutory filing services. The additional time will allow further testing, stakeholder engagement and refinement of the new processes before implementation.
What Does This Mean for Accountants and Professional Advisers?
While the delay provides welcome breathing space, it should not be seen as a reason to pause preparations.
Identity verification requirements for Directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) continue to be rolled out, and firms should be helping clients understand their obligations and prepare for compliance.
The extended timeline provides an opportunity for accountancy practices, company secretarial providers and professional advisers to:
- Review their Companies House filing processes.
- Assess how identity verification requirements may affect their clients.
- Consider future ACSP registration requirements.
- Develop internal procedures ahead of implementation.
How Can FCLS Help?
At FCLS, we continue to monitor developments under the ECCT Act and support accountants, advisers and businesses in navigating the evolving Companies House landscape.
Whether you need guidance on identity verification requirements, company secretarial compliance or the wider implications of Companies House reform, our team is here to help.
Contact us to discuss how these changes could affect your practice and your clients.
