The WWH of a Company’s Nameplate – Where, What and How
The Companies Act 2013 (the Act), has prescribed in detail the nuances of a Company’s Nameplate. Broadly described, these are covered under 3 major categories: Where, What and How
Let us look at each of them in detail.
Where
The Act states clearly, ‘Every office or every place of work.’ This means any place, from where you conduct your business should have the Nameplate. And thus covers the following:
a. Registered office
b. Corporate Office
c. Branch Office / Any other office
d. Warehouse(s)
e. Store(s) and outlet(s) (Retail)
f. Factory(ies) / place(s) of manufacturing
g. Any other place related to business
What
We have already understood, the ‘where’ Now let us understand the ‘what’? The Act clearly states , we should put the following information
a. Name of the Company
b. Registered Office Address of the Company
c. CIN number of the company
Also remember, the GST Act, 2017 also mandates that any organisation with a GST number, should display its GST number clearly at every place of work. Hence, if your company is registered under the GST Act, 2017, make sure the GST number is also displayed.
How – The Act states: paint or affix. Thus, the Company can have it: either painted/printed directly on the surface of the wall or have it affixed i.e. maybe a plate or a plaque which has all the details and it can be fied to the outer wall.
a. Place: It should be outside the place of work, in a conspicuous position i.e.where people can see it clearly and easily. Thus both location place and position in the place has been stated in the Act.
b. Legibility: All required information should be written in clear legible letters allowing easy readability.
c. Language: The Act clearly states, that it should be in the language or of one of the languages in general use in that locality. Thus the information has to be in the local language. Ex: If English is not the local language, it is not mandatory to display details in English. Writing in the local language is sufficient compliance. But if English is being used which is not the local language, then the information has to be given in one of the local languages too.
