RNE, the new platform for company registration since January 1

Implemented on January 1, 2023, the National Register of Companies (RNE) was created in application of the 2019 Pacte law with the aim of improving the transparency of economic exchanges. It is maintained by INPI, the French national institute for industrial property. The RNE brings together the data provided by the guichet unique des formalités des entreprises (one-stop shop for business formalities). This is another compulsory platform, designed to simplify procedures for entrepreneurs, whether they are registering or ceasing operations, or making any changes during the course of their business. The register also lists the authorities and professionals who have full access to the information contained in the RNE: chambers of commerce, chambers of trade, chambers of agriculture, commercial court registries, Urssaf, tax authorities, notaries, judicial representatives, etc.

Information contained in the national register of companies

The RNE lists companies regardless of their legal status: non-trading companies (SCI...) and trading companies (SA, SAS, SARL, EURL...), sole proprietorships including micro-businesses and whatever their activity (commercial, craft, liberal...).

The new register contains much of the same information as the previous ones, but with a few additional details:

  • contact details of company directors and associates,
  • e-mail and website addresses,
  • the status of the spouse (collaborating spouse or partner).

Two decrees dated July 19, 2022 specify the exact information to be communicated, as well as the amount of registration fees(decree n°2022-1014 and decree 2022-1015).

Which registers have been replaced?

The National Trade and Companies Register (RNCS), the National Trades Register (RM) and the Agricultural Assets Register (RAA) are disappearing.

Others, however, are kept on an additional basis. These include the Trade and Companies Register (RCS), the National Register of Companies and their Establishments (SIRENE), and special registers such as the Commercial Agents Register (RSAC) and the EIRL.

Can I consult the RNE?

Most of the data stored in the RNE is accessible to the public, free of charge, on the INPI website data.inpi.fr, by entering the company's SIREN number or simply its corporate name. However, this access remains limited. For obvious security reasons, the personal addresses of directors, for example, are not indicated. Nor are the annual financial statements of small companies, if they have requested exemption from publication.

What changes does the new platform bring?

In practice, since January 1, 2023, all registrations concerning the creation, modification or cessation of a business, as well as the submission of supporting documents, must be carried out via the "guichet unique des entreprises" (one-stop business portal), which will then transmit all information, acts and documents to the national business register, responsible for centralizing everything.

The online one-stop shop replaces the various CFEs, which have become obsolete. Companies and government departments will now have just one intermediary. All transactions will go through the one-stop shop, which is the only one able to transmit them to the RNE.

This standardization is intended to facilitate administrative work, simplify legal procedures for companies, reduce processing times and minimize costs.