Business compliance: Data and communications

Data Protection law - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 

Your business needs to ensure it abides with the Data protection Act 2018 which is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to control how personal information is being used. 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. 

Your business will need appropriate systems and procedures for holding and managing any personal and sensitive information it receives. 

The ICO provides a checklist that is a self-assessment tool for small businesses on compliance with data protection rules. This is a useful resource.

Stationery and publication requirements 

The Companies Act 2006 requires that all stationery for a limited companies (this includes social businesses) shows the full name of the company, the address of the registered office, place of registration, registration number and VAT number in addition to your own logo. This relates to letter head, website and publicity materials. 

By law, charities must give information about their status in various places. This is so that anyone working or doing business with the charity knows what sort of business they are dealing with. NCVO Knowhow offers advice and support for charities and voluntary organisation on the law. 

Copyright for use of photographs 

You need to ensure that any photos or logos used for marketing purposes have the appropriate copyright. Shutterstock offers royalty free stock images and photos. 

 

In this section:

Main areas of Business Compliance

Business compliance: Governing document

Business compliance: Regulators

Business compliance: Financial

Business compliance: Human Resources

Business compliance: Health and Safety

Business compliance: Contractual 

Business compliance: Activity specific regulation>