The Switzerland Company Register, often known as the Commercial Register, is a public database containing information on all Swiss firms. The cantons control it, and the Commercial Register Ordinance (Ordonnance sur le registre du commerce, ORC) governs it.
The Switzerland Company Register’s primary function is to provide transparency and legal clarity to businesses and the general public. It accomplishes this by:
Identifying and registering corporations: The Switzerland Company Register is the only official source of information about registered Swiss companies. This facilitates the discovery and verification of information on possible business partners, suppliers, and customers by enterprises and individuals.
Providing company information: The Switzerland Company Register provides a wealth of information about registered companies, such as their name, address, legal form, purpose, shareholders, directors, and financial statements. Businesses and people can use this information to make informed decisions about who to do business with.
Contract enforceability is improved because the Switzerland Company Register discloses information on firms, making it easier for creditors to enforce their rights against companies in the case of bankruptcy. This protects the interests of enterprises and individuals that do business on credit with firms.
The Switzerland Company Register serves a variety of vital roles in addition to its principal mission of providing transparency and legal certainty. The Swiss Federal Statistical Office, for example, uses it to collect data on the Swiss economy. The Swiss government also uses it to enforce anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist funding legislation.
The Advantages of Registering a Company in the Swiss Company Register
There are several advantages to registering a corporation in the Swiss corporation Register. These are some examples:
Increased credibility and trustworthiness: Registering a firm in the Swiss firm Register sends a message to potential business partners, suppliers, and customers that the company is legitimate and trustworthy. This can help the company acquire new customers and partners and grow.
Easier access to financing: Companies listed in the Swiss Company Register are more likely to receive loans from banks and other financial organisations. This is due to their ability to obtain credible information on the company’s financial health and legal status.
Increased legal certainty: Registering a company in the Swiss Company Register reduces the danger of legal issues. This is because the register clearly documents the company’s legal existence and ownership structure.
Compliance with laws and regulations is simplified: Companies registered in the Switzerland Company Register are expected to comply with a variety of laws and regulations, including corporate governance norms and anti-money laundering statutes. However, by providing a consolidated repository of information and a single point of contact with the authorities, the register makes it easier for businesses to comply with these rules and regulations.
How to Create a Company in the Swiss Company Register
The procedure for registering a business in the Swiss business Register differs according to the canton in which the firm is registered. There are, nevertheless, some general actions that all firms must take.
Choose a company name: The company name must be unique and not confusingly similar to the name of any other Swiss firm.
Determine the company’s legal structure: In Switzerland, the most prevalent legal structures for businesses are the limited liability company (GmbH) and the joint-stock company (AG).
Draught the company’s articles of association: The articles of association are the governing document of the company and outline the organisation’s name, purpose, legal form, capital, and management structure.
Pay the registration fee: The registration fee varies depending on where the company is registered.
Submit the following documents to the commercial registry: The articles of association of the company, a list of shareholders and directors, and proof of payment of the registration price must all be included in the registration documents.
When the registration documents are submitted, the commercial register reviews them and, if authorised, enters the firm into the register. A registration certificate will subsequently be supplied to the company.
Conclusion
The Switzerland Company Register contributes significantly to the Swiss economy by offering transparency and legal certainty to enterprises and the general public. It also provides a variety of advantages to businesses that register with it, including increased credibility and reliability, easier access to finance, greater legal certainty, and easier compliance with laws and regulations.