Companies House

Electronic Filing Software Service Update - April 2009

Software Changes

The XML Gateway provides online access over the internet into Companies House databases, for customers to submit as well as to retrieve company information via their own applications or web pages.

Removal of the TAG Service

It is important that customers are aware that although Companies House is still operating its “Tag-based” Software Filing for existing customers, this will not continue. The “Tag-based” service functionality willcease on 1st October 2009 and no further filing will be possible via this route. 

Companies Act 2006

The final implementation of the Companies Act 2006 will take place on 1st October 2009. At this time a new range of form types will be introduced for events that take place on or after the implementation date.

Testing available from Monday 6th April 2009

In preparation for this we are pleased to be able to provide an updated Draft of the 2006 XML Technical Interface Specification and Draft Schemas.

Although we cannot guarantee that small changes may be required before the live implementation, the schemas are stable for customers to develop against, and our Test Service for these new form types can be accessed from Monday 6th April.

XML Test Accounts 

If customers have not already set up their Test Accounts for XML then they need to do so before they can use the service.

Please forward: Customer Name, Company Name, Address, Telephone No and email address, to the contact details below for the test account to be set up.

Testing Slots

To ensure that the maximum level of support is available to presenters, we plan to offer specific testing slots during the period leading up to the October implementation.

These will be periods of a month each running April, May, June, July or August. We therefore, invite customers to book their particular testing period well in advance to ensure their needs are fully met.  

Further Information, Documentation or Testing

Draft Schemas and Technical Interface Specification are available from Marie Flowers, Customer Liaison Manager  - mflowers@companieshouse.gov.uk  - who can also arrange a test account or book a testing slot for the new 2006 schemas.