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Business Services Info Forms UK: 2009 Regs Guide

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Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you run a service-based business in the UK, there are certain pieces of information you are legally required to make available to your customers. This duty comes from the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, a piece of legislation that often flies under the radar but applies to a huge range of everyday businesses, from consultants and tradespeople to marketing agencies and IT contractors. The rules are not particularly onerous, but getting them wrong can cause problems if a customer complains or a regulator takes an interest. On this page I want to walk you through what the regulations actually require, how service providers typically meet those obligations in practice, and where a short conversation with an experienced legal adviser might help you feel confident you are doing things properly.

What this document is

Business services information refers to the set of details a service provider has to disclose to its customers under UK law. The Provision of Services Regulations 2009 implemented an EU-era directive aimed at making service markets more transparent, and the rules were retained after Brexit.

In practical terms, the regulations require service providers to give recipients basic information about who they are, how to contact them, what they do, and the terms on which they do it. Some details must be supplied on the provider's own initiative, while others only need to be made available on request.

The exact list depends on the nature of the business and whether the service is regulated by a supervisory authority. A well-organised information sheet, website page, or client welcome pack is usually the easiest way to cover the ground, and many firms build the disclosures into their standard onboarding documents so the obligation is met automatically with every new client.

How to use this document

  1. Identify whether the regulations apply to your business. The Provision of Services Regulations 2009 cover most service providers based in or operating into the UK, but some sectors are carved out, including financial services, certain transport services, and healthcare. Check whether your activity falls within scope before you design your disclosures.
  2. List the mandatory information you must proactively share. This typically includes your trading name, geographic address, contact details, relevant registration numbers (such as company number or VAT number), any professional body you belong to, and your general terms and conditions. The goal is for a customer to know exactly who they are dealing with before they commit.
  3. Decide how you will make the information available. You can include the details in your contract, on your website, in a dedicated information document, or at the place where the service is provided. What matters is that a customer can easily access the information before entering into the contract, not that you use any particular format.
  4. Prepare for information that must be supplied on request. Some items only need to be provided if a customer asks, such as details of your professional insurance, applicable codes of conduct, or a breakdown of how your price is calculated where it is not fixed in advance. Have a plan for responding to these requests promptly.
  5. Review and update your disclosures regularly. Your business details, terms, and regulatory status can change. Build a habit of reviewing your information forms and website at least once a year, and always after any material change such as a move, a name change, or a shift in the services you offer.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q Who has to comply with the Provision of Services Regulations 2009?
The regulations apply to most businesses that provide a service for payment in the UK, whether you are a sole trader, partnership, limited company, or LLP. There are some important exceptions, including financial services, healthcare, gambling, and certain transport and audiovisual services. If you are unsure whether your activity is in scope, it is worth getting clarity before you rely on a generic template.
Q What information do I have to give customers upfront?
At a minimum, customers need to be able to identify who you are, how to reach you, and the basic terms of your service. That usually means your name or trading name, a geographic address, contact details, any relevant registration or VAT numbers, details of any professional body or authorisation scheme, and your general terms and conditions. Prices should be clear where they can be calculated in advance.
Q Do the rules differ for sole traders and companies?
The core obligations are the same, but the specific identification details differ. A sole trader or partnership typically discloses the trading name, the individual names of the proprietors or partners, and a business address. A company or LLP also needs to give its registered name, company number, registered office, and, where relevant, the supervisory authority for any regulated activity it carries out.
Q Does my website count as providing the required information?
Yes, in most cases a clearly signposted page on your website is an acceptable way to make the information available, provided customers can access it easily before they buy. Many businesses combine a website disclosure with wording in their engagement letter or standard terms. What matters is that a reasonably diligent customer can find the information without difficulty.
Q What happens if I do not comply?
Non-compliance can expose you to enforcement action by trading standards and give customers grounds for complaint. It can also undermine your contractual position if a dispute arises, because a customer may argue they were not properly informed. In practical terms, the bigger risk for most small businesses is reputational: customers who feel kept in the dark are less likely to recommend you.
Q Are my terms and conditions part of the information I must disclose?
If you use general terms and conditions, yes, they fall within the information you should make available to customers before they contract with you. You do not have to publish them on a public website, but a customer should be able to see them on request or as part of the onboarding process. Clear, accessible terms also reduce the risk of later disputes.
Q Do I need to mention professional insurance?
Details of any professional liability insurance or guarantee only need to be provided on request under the regulations, but many professional service providers choose to mention them proactively as a trust signal. If you operate in a regulated profession, your regulator may impose its own disclosure rules which can go beyond the baseline in the 2009 Regulations.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.