The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, which was incorporated into English Law in 2003 says that a company engaging in commerce on the internet is required among other things, to:
Additionally under the Companies Act 2006 a company, if registered, is required to give its registered business address.
(If you would like more information concerning this directive, a good article to read on the subject would be one by an international law firm called Pinsent Masons entitled The UK's E-commerce Regulations.)
A number of hosting providers have chosen to use a post office box as their business address in the past and have yet to realise the full implications of the directive. While we do not think of a post office box as being sufficient detail, as contact details go, you may be willing to accept this as such. We do not wish to disparage these companies, we are sure they have valid reasons for their actions and for not complying with the directive as yet.
Perhaps your wondering why we have singled out these companies from the mass that provide no contact details. Because at least they are trying to provide you with the semblance of a contact address, which means at least they are thinking about it. Lets hope they go all the way and meet the expectations of that directive soon.
Since we did not think a post office box was sufficient in terms of contact details, these companies would not have been eligible for a Host Apprise Bronze Medal Award.
Last updated on Friday 06th April 2007