On 24 February 2011, the European Commission published a proposal for a directive on the interconnection of trade and companies’ registers within the European Union. This proposal aims to facilitate cross border e-access to information contained in these registers (legal form of the business, registered address, capital, legal representatives, etc.). It seeks to ensure that the data contained in the commercial registers is kept up to date as well as making access to that information easier. Currently, the commercial registers are organised at national, regional and even local level, and they are able to exchange information in an effective, transparent manner. The proposal is currently being studied by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.