The National Compliance Register

The National Compliance Register is the UK's authoritative public record for business standards. It serves as the single, authoritative source of truth, allowing consumers, commercial partners, and the public to instantly verify that a business meets the UK's national standards for professional and compliant operation.

The Register is an essential piece of business infrastructure, comparable to the Companies House company register. It provides permanent, publicly accessible verification that supports market transparency and consumer protection across all business sectors, operating at zero cost to the UK taxpayer.

How the Register Operates
‍The credibility of the Register is built on a two-part system: comprehensive initial verification followed by active, ongoing monitoring.

‍Comprehensive Verification
‍Before a business is awarded a certified rating, it undergoes a rigorous assessment. This process verifies that the business meets all its regulatory obligations (such as correct registration and insurance) and adheres to the NBCA's national framework for professional conduct.

‍Active, Ongoing Monitoring
‍Unlike a static, point-in-time certificate, the National Compliance Register is a live system. We ensure standards are maintained through a continuous verification model that includes random, unannounced in-person inspections of certified businesses. This active oversight ensures that a business's rating is a reliable indicator of its current operational standards, not just a historical snapshot.

To make verification simple and universally understood, the Register uses a transparent 1-5 rating system. Ratings are assigned based on objective, published criteria covering both regulatory compliance and the implementation of professional standards.

‍Rating 5 (Outstanding): Reserved for businesses demonstrating exceptional operational quality that significantly exceeds all required standards.

‍Rating 4 (Excellence): Recognises businesses that meet all standards with distinction and maintain a high level of operational quality.

‍Rating 3 (Professional Standard): Indicates satisfactory compliance with all minimum requirements. This confirms a reliable and compliant operation and is the typical minimum standard required in commercial property leases.

‍Rating 2 (Adequate): Shows a business meets most standards but has identified gaps requiring improvement.

‍Rating 1 (Basic): Indicates a business meets only the minimum legal requirements without demonstrating broader professional conduct frameworks.

Verifying a business is designed to be simple and accessible to everyone.

‍The Public Register
‍The primary tool is the searchable online register. Anyone can look up a business by name or location to see its live certification status and 1-5 rating. Businesses that have not been assessed are clearly marked as "Not NBCA Registered".

‍Window Stickers & QR Codes
‍Certified businesses display a window sticker showing their rating. Each sticker includes a QR code that links directly to the business's live profile on the register, preventing fraud and allowing for instant on-site verification.

‍Platform Integration
‍We are establishing partnerships to integrate the National Compliance Register data with major search engines and booking platforms. This will ensure that verified businesses are more visible to consumers who are actively seeking trustworthy providers.

The National Compliance Register operates under the strict non-profit governance of the National Business Conduct Authority. The platform is designed for permanent, long-term operation with a commitment to data security and accuracy. This ensures that businesses, consumers, and commercial partners can rely on the Register as an enduring and credible feature of the UK's business landscape.