Please note: The text below is a translation of the original Norwegian Act. Should any doubts arise, the Norwegian text of the Act is valid and binding.
The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities
Chapter 1. Introductory provisions
Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of this act is to promote efficient exploitation and coordination of public information related to legal entities, sole proprietorships and other registration entities through rules for the establishment, organisation and operation of a nationwide register of legal entities.
The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities shall unambiguously identify the registered entities by allocating and registering an organisation number. All affiliated registers shall contribute to reducing the burden of reporting obligations for business and industry by using organisation numbers and information from the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities. Public agencies, bodies and registers that are not affiliated registers are obliged, where this is possible in practice, to use the information from the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities.
Section 2. Definitions
The following terms are understood as follows in this act:
a) Registration entity: Legal entities, sole proprietorships and other entities registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities pursuant to what is laid down in section 4.
b) Affiliated registers:
1. The employer section of the Employer/Employee Register (The Norwegian National Insurance Act, section 25-1).
2. The Register of Business Enterprises (the Norwegian Act dated 21 June 1985 no. 78 relating to the Registration of Business Enterprises).
3. The Register of Foundations (the Norwegian Foundations Act, section 8).
4. The Register of Non-Personal Taxpayers (the Norwegian Act of 19 June 1969 no. 66 relating to Value-Added Tax, Chapter VII).
5. Statistics Norway's Business and Enterprise Register (the Norwegian Act of 16 June 1989 no. 54 relating to Official Statistics and Statistics Norway (the Statistics Act), section 2-2).
6. The Directorate of Taxes' register of taxes payable in arrears (the Norwegian Act dated 21 November 1952 no. 2 relating to Payment and Collection of Taxes, section 2).
Section 3. Organisation
The state is responsible for establishing, organising and operating the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities. The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities is headed by a registrar appointed by the King.
The Ministry provides further rules concerning the organisation, localisation and administration of the register and the keeping of the register.
Chapter 2. Registration entities and the information to be registered
Section 4. Registration entities
The following entities shall be registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities if they are registered in affiliated registers:
a) The state, county administrations and local authorities
b) Companies, associations, foundations, securities funds, estates and other legal entities. Decedents' estates and marital estates identified by national identity numbers, and internal partnerships are, however, not obliged to register
c) Sole proprietorships
d) Unrestricted co-ownerships acting as such externally
The obligation to register in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities also applies to individuals who do not own sole proprietorships but who are registered in affiliated registers.
The requirement to register in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities may also follow from special provisions given in or pursuant to legislation.
Higher-level entities (groups etc.) and lower-level entities (companies etc.) are assigned organisation numbers and are registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities pursuant to rules laid down by the Ministry.
The Ministry can determine in regulations that other entities must also be registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities.
Section 5. Organisation number
On initial registration in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities the registration entity shall be assigned its own organisation number.
Notification of the following information must be given to be assigned an organisation number:
a) The entity's business name or name
b) The entity's address
c) The form of the organisation
d) The purpose (type of business/industry)
e) The time of formation/foundation
f) The general manager, business manager, owner or corresponding contact person; if this is a legal entity, a natural person must also be given as a contact person.
Section 6. Other information to be submitted to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities
In addition to the information to be registered pursuant to section 5, the following information must be stated if such information exists:
a) Partners with unrestricted liability for the company's obligations
b) Joint owners. This does not apply to co-ownership divided pursuant to the Act relating to condominium co-ownerships
c) Board members
d) Auditor
e) Accountant
f) Signature
g) Empowerment to sign for the entity per procurationem
h) Norwegian representative of foreign entity
i) The entity's limited partnership contributions
j) The number of employees
k) Whether the entity is part of a group or otherwise belongs to a group of business enterprises under joint management or ownership. If so, information must be provided about the ownership
l) Whether the entity has branches or other permanent outlets or operations addresses in addition to the location for business operations as stipulated in section 5 (b). If so, information must also be provided on these.
In addition to the information stipulated in section 5 and section 6 first paragraph that is submitted to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities by the entity itself or by an affiliated register, information shall be registered on the entity's status, business code and institutional sector code. Information about telephone numbers, telefax numbers and other electronic addresses as well as information of an administrative nature can also be registered.
Section 7. Information about employee representatives etc.
For persons as mentioned in section 5 second paragraph (f ) and section 6 first paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h), the register shall include information about the name, home address and national identity number or D-number (for foreign nationals without a Norwegian national identity number). If a legal entity is to be registered pursuant to the mentioned provisions, the register shall also include information about the enterprise name/name, organisation number and address.
Section 8. Documentation of the information
It is required that written declarations are provided by the general manager, business manager, owner or corresponding contact person that the information submitted is correct.
The registrar may demand to have submitted to him such documentation as he deems necessary to verify the information. On initial registration of entities that are not individuals or sole proprietorships, the memorandum of association must be submitted if such exists, and other documentation that shows that the entity exists. On initial registration of such entities the articles of association must also be submitted, if such exist.
The registrar may decide that the second paragraph shall not apply to entities domiciled abroad which on registration in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities submit a certified transcript from the national registration authorities of the country in question showing that the entity has been founded or formed in accordance with legislation in the country in question. To the extent that such a transcript includes information as stipulated in section 6, the registrar may decide that it shall be used as the basis for registration of this information.
If the entity is not to be registered in the Register of Business Enterprises, the following documentation must also be enclosed with the notification, if such information is submitted:
a) minutes showing election of the board
b) declaration from the auditor showing acceptance of the assignment
c) declaration from the accountant showing acceptance of the assignment
d) minutes from duly empowered body or articles of association showing signature empowerment
e) minutes or declaration showing delegation of authority per procurationem
The declaration from the auditor and accountant may be given on the notification form.
The requirement for enclosures applies both on initial registration and with later changes, to the extent that information is submitted necessitating the enclosure of documentation.
Chapter 3. Relations to affiliated registers
Section 9. Obligation to use the organisation number
A registration entity cannot be finally registered in an affiliated register before the entity has been registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities and has been assigned an organisation number.
On registration of a registration entity in an affiliated register, the entity's organisation number in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities must be registered.
Section 10. Preliminary registration
The Ministry can lay down in regulations that the registrar of an affiliated register may undertake preliminary registration in his own register and use an organisation number assigned on a preliminary basis.
Section 11. The obligation to use information registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities
The registrar of an affiliated register has the right and obligation to use the information registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities when performing his duties. The registrars also have a duty to keep their own register up to date in relation to information registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities.
Chapter 4. Notifications to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities
Section 12. Time limit for notification and registration
A registration entity shall submit notification and register in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities at the latest when the entity is registered in affiliated registers.
A registration entity that is not registered in an affiliated register has the right to be registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities.
Section 13. Satisfying the obligation to register on initial registration
Initial registration in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities takes place when the entity submits information as stipulated in section 5 and section 6 directly to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities or to an affiliated register the entity is obliged to be registered in. If the notification is submitted to an affiliated register, this register shall immediately forward information as stipulated in section 5 second paragraph to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities for identification and assignment of an organisation number.
Information as stipulated in section 6 that is submitted to an affiliated register shall be forwarded to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities immediately once it has been checked and found in order. If another affiliated register is the controlling authority for this information, the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities shall forward the information to this register.
Section 14. Who is under the obligation to submit notification
The obligation to submit notification to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities to provide information as stipulated in section 5 second paragraph rests with:
a) For sole proprietorships, the owner
b) For all other registration entities, the general manager, business manager or corresponding contact person.
The obligation to submit notification to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities with information as stipulated in section 6 rests with the affiliated register that checks the information, cf. section 13 second paragraph, or the entity itself, represented by the persons stipulated in the first paragraph (a) and (b), if the information is not checked by an affiliated register.
Information as stipulated in section 6 is submitted to the respective affiliated register or directly to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities pursuant to the provisions that apply to the affiliated register.
Section 15. Notifications of change
Each registered entity shall without undue delay report changes in the information as stipulated in section 5 second paragraph and section 6 directly to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities or to an affiliated register where the information is registered. If the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities receives a notification of change which the affiliated register has the controlling responsibility for, the notification shall be forwarded to that register. The notification shall contain the information and documentation stipulated by the provisions that apply to the affiliated register with the controlling responsibility for the information.
If an affiliated register undertakes registration of information as stipulated in section 5 second paragraph or paragraph 6, or changes what has been registered about such matters in the affiliated register in question, without this being based on information registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities, notification of the registration must be given immediately to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities.
Section 15a. Notifications of change from others
In other entities than sole proprietorships and registered individuals, a person with a role in the entity who has withdrawn from the registered entity may submit notification about this.
Any person who has won a judgement on any matter about which notification is or should have been submitted to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities may demand the information be changed in keeping with the finding of the judgement.
The courts and other public bodies submit notification to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities about matters relating to registered entities when provisions for this are given in special legislation.
Based on judgements, orders or other legal decisions, the courts may petition to have information about registered entities entered into the register.
Section 16. Notification order
If an entity under the obligation to register is not registered or the obligation to submit notification otherwise has been neglected, the registrar may order the entity to submit information directly to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities within a stipulated time limit.
To ensure the best possible quality of the information in the register, the registrar may also check the information pursuant to detailed provisions given by the Ministry.
If an order pursuant to the first paragraph or second paragraph is not complied with, the registration entity or the person under the obligation to submit notification may be ordered to pay an overrun penalty pursuant to detailed provisions given by the Ministry.
Chapter 5. Registration and checking notifications
Section 17. Entry into the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities
The registrar shall check whether submitted information and documentation is in accordance with the rules in this act or regulations given in pursuance of the act. When checking whether the entity is a registration entity pursuant to section 4, and when checking whether a person for whom notification of a role in the entity has been submitted may be registered in the register, the registrar can also check whether the information is in accordance with other acts and regulations. As soon as the information has been found to be in order, it shall be entered into the register.
Information which an affiliated register has checked and submitted to the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities pursuant to the provision in section 13 second paragraph first sentence can be entered into the register without further checking.
Section 18. Notice to the registration entity
The registration entity shall receive notification of the information that is registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities on initial registration and of changes made later pursuant to detailed provisions stipulated by the Ministry.
Section 19. Registration denial
If the registrar finds that the conditions for registration of an entity in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities are not present, or that the information is so vague and unclear that it is impossible to determine how it is to be understood, registration shall be denied.
The registration entity shall receive notification in writing about the grounds for denying the registration. Information shall also be given on the right to appeal the decision, the time limit for lodging an appeal and the procedure in the event of lodging an appeal.
Chapter 6. Exchange and disclosure of information
Section 20. Information from another register
The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities may collect and register information as stipulated in section 5 second paragraph and section 6 from an affiliated register.
Information registered in other registers than the affiliated registers can be collected and registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities when the registrar does not deem this to be questionable.
Section 21. Information to another register
Notification of information registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities shall immediately be given to affiliated registers needing the information. The Ministry gives detailed rules for how notification of the information shall be given.
Section 22. Right of access to information – disclosure of information
Affiliated registers and public bodies have the right of access to information registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities for use when performing their duties.
Anyone has the right of access to and the right to receive a transcript of information registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities. This does not, however, apply to national identity numbers and D-numbers. However, credit information enterprises with a permit from the Norwegian Data Inspectorate for storing national identity numbers and D-numbers for internal use may by agreement approved by the Norwegian Data Inspectorate receive access to such numbers.
Permission to collate information about a person may only be granted when the request is related to the person's registered connection to business activities.
The Ministry provides rules for how the information shall be made accessible, and may stipulate that a fee is to be paid for the services.
Chapter 7. Miscellaneous provisions
Section 23. Document information
The registration entity's letters and business documents shall contain the entity's organisation number and name. This does not apply to individuals who are not owners of sole proprietorships. For entities registered in the VAT Register, sales documents shall also contain the letters "MVA" behind the organisation number.
Section 24. Legitimising effects
In relation to legal rules that are decisive for a third party's legal status with respect to whether the third party was aware of or not aware of a matter, what has been registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities shall be considered to be known to the third party.
Matters under the reporting obligation that have not been reported, and which contradict what has been registered, may not be claimed against a third party, unless the party was aware of this matter or should have been aware of it.
Section 25. Rectifying errors
If an entry in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities is incorrect or a mistake has been made in any other way with respect to the registration, the error shall be rectified. The entity shall be informed about the error and how it will be rectified.
If the error concerns information an affiliated register has controlling authority of, this register shall effect the correction of the error.
If it is unclear how the error should be rectified, or if for other reasons it cannot be rectified without a new notification from the entity, the registrar shall provide information about the error in the register. The registrar shall also order the entity to submit a new notification within a stipulated time limit.
Section 26. Striking off entities that have ceased operations
If the registrar has reason to believe that an entity has been terminated, he shall notify the entity or the contact person under the obligation to submit notifications that the entity will be struck off unless information is submitted within a stipulated time limit that shows that it is reasonable to assume that it still exists.
If the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities has received notification pursuant to section 138 second paragraph of the Norwegian Bankruptcy Act that the administration of an estate in bankruptcy/liquidation has been terminated pursuant to section 128 or section 135 of the Norwegian Bankruptcy Act from a registered business enterprise with unlimited liability, the registrar shall notify those under the obligation to submit notification that unless they within one year submit information that the entity still exists, the entity shall be struck off. If such information is not submitted within the stipulated time limit, the entity shall be struck off the register.
The provisions in the first paragraph and second paragraph do not apply if an affiliated register pursuant to special legislation has been assigned responsibility for striking off terminated entities.
Section 27. Compensation
If the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities provides erroneous information in a transcript or in another manner that can be documented, the person who through no fault of his or her own has suffered a loss is entitled to compensation from the state if the loss is due to:
a) The fact that the information does not agree with what has been registered or with the notification that is the basis for the registration.
b) The fact that the register has been erroneously rectified or changed pursuant to the provisions in section 20 and section 25 without the registered entity in this connection being to blame.
Section 28. Regulations
The King may provide the regulations that are deemed necessary for supplementing and implementing this act.
Section 29. Application of the act on Svalbard and Jan Mayen
The King may give detailed provisions about the application of the act on Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
Section 30. Entry into force
The act enters into force at the time stipulated by the King.
Section 31. Transitional provisions
The King may give transitional provisions, including time limits for affiliated registers to comply with the duties they have bee.
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