GLEIF and Companies House simplify global corporate identification with the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)

4 Februar 2025

New LEI feature improves transparency and facilitates international business relationships

The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) and the UK Companies Register Companies House have launched a new initiative to improve UK companies‘ global identifiability and traceability. By linking Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) numbers directly to the official Companies House registration data, company identification will be simplified worldwide.

This step will make it much easier for companies and financial institutions to verify UK companies‘ legal forms and registration information. This means less time spent on Know Your Customer (KYC), Know Your Supplier (KYS) and due diligence processes, which is particularly beneficial for international business partners.

What does the change mean for companies?

Companies active in international trade need to identify their business partners uniquely. The new link between the LEI number and Companies House makes it possible to access official registration data and documents with just one click.

This brings decisive advantages:

– Faster and easier verification of potential business partners

– Greater transparency in global transactions

– Easier access to important company information

– Time savings in compliance processes

Why is the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) so important?

The LEI number is a globally standardised identification code for companies that uniquely identifies organisations in international business transactions. Companies that have an LEI registration benefit from

– Trustworthiness on a global level

– Increased visibility for international business partners

– Simplified participation in global financial and trading markets

Advantages for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those that want to expand into new markets, will benefit from the new LEI integration with Companies House. Potential international business partners can now access their official registration data more efficiently, making it easier to initiate business.

With this corporate transparency initiative, GLEIF emphasises the importance of the Legal Entity Identifier as a central interface for company registers worldwide.

Apply for an LEI number now and take advantage of global opportunities

Organisations should ensure that they have a valid LEI number to take advantage of this new LEI integration. Get your LEI number now and increase your international business visibility!