New forms approved for filing financial statements at the commercial registry

The biggest change introduced in the new forms stems from Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing. It consists of a new form in which the “identification of the beneficial owner of the company” must be stated. The new forms also contain changes regarding the disclosure of non-financial information and information on diversity by certain large companies and certain groups, which is aimed at identifying risks to enhance sustainability and increase the confidence of investors, consumers and society at large. To achieve this it has increased the disclosure of non-financial information, such as social and environmental factors.

The Order came into force on March 28, 2018 and the new forms will apply for filing the financial statements for fiscal year 2017, except for any companies that have approved and deposited their financial statements at the competent commercial registry before the entry into force of this new legislation.