Companies House Transition Plan for Economic Crime Act

Companies House has released an outline transition plan detailing the indicative timeline for implementing key provisions of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The document, first published on October 16, 2024, and last updated on January 19, 2026, outlines a phased approach to legislative changes. Notably, the Spring 2026 due date for presenter measures has been postponed to no earlier than November 2026 to prioritize identity verification for directors and PSCs and to address stakeholder feedback. Other updates include the confirmation of a March 18, 2025 launch date for the Companies House authorised agent registration service, following an earlier postponement.

Regulated entities, particularly those involved in corporate registration and compliance, should review this transition plan to understand the phased implementation of new requirements under the Act. While the plan provides an indicative timeline, the postponement of presenter measures highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of updates. Companies should prepare for the eventual implementation of identity verification for directors and PSCs, and the registration of authorised corporate service providers. Specific deadlines for these measures will be confirmed through future updates, and adherence to these upcoming requirements will be critical for compliance.