What Certification Officer does
Statutory regulator of trade unions and employers' associations in Great Britain. Maintains the list of trade unions, enforces the rules governing union elections, political funds, financial records and mergers, and investigates member complaints. Powers strengthened by the Trade Union Act 2016 (investigatory powers, levy, declarations).
Sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Enforces the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and the Trade Union Act 2016.
Contact Certification Officer
Official guidance from Certification Officer
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
Establish a political fund (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Apply to be on the official list of trade unions or employers’ associations (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Mergers between trade unions and between employers’ associations (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Report financial irregularity in a trade union or employers’ association (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Legal framework
Legislation that Certification Officer directly enforces.
Primary legislation
- Coverage area
- Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland may have separate arrangements.