Legal obligations of Biz Où wrt Siret Verification

We thought it best to start off our journey with you as a consumer or as a business with clarity on what our obligations are.

We are not legally obliged to verify SIRET numbers, insurance, or other business credentials unless we choose to or unless our specific service falls into a regulated category.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

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✅ 1. We are NOT automatically legally required to verify SIRET numbers

As we run an online directory that lists businesses, we are generally treated as an information society service (similar to online classifieds, directories, bulletin boards).

In the EU (including France), the law does not require such platforms to verify the accuracy of business details, except in specific regulated sectors.

This comes from:

• the EU eCommerce Directive,

• the French LCEN (Loi pour la Confiance dans l’Économie Numérique).

Under these laws, directory operators:

• are not required to proactively verify legal documents of businesses listed, and

• are not responsible for the accuracy of user-submitted information unless notified of a problem and we refuse to act.

So: No, we are not legally obliged to verify SIRET numbers.

We may choose to verify them, but it is not a legal duty.

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✅ 2. We are NOT required to check insurance either

There is no general legal obligation for directories to check:

• insurance certificates,

• professional liability cover,

• safety certifications,

• permits.

Again, these only become mandatory if we are operating a regulated matching service, such as:

• transport services,

• accommodation booking platforms,

• employment agencies,

• services directly involving vulnerable persons,

• certain regulated professions (lawyers, accountants, healthcare workers).

As we are just a directory, we do not fall into these categories.

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⚠️ 3. When it could become mandatory

We only have a legal obligation to verify documents if:

A. If we are actively “selecting” or “recommending” providers

If the directory becomes a curated service (e.g., you promote certain businesses as “verified” or “approved”), this increases our responsibility — but still does not automatically require legal checks.

B. If we take on legal responsibility for the businesses’ work

If we present the businesses as if we guarantee their qualifications, then verification could become expected.

C. If our service becomes a regulated marketplace

If you process payments or act as an intermediary in services that have regulatory requirements (e.g., letting agents), obligations might increase.

But directories alone are not marketplaces.

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📌 4. GDPR obligations (separate topic)

We DO have GDPR obligations if:

• we collect data (names, emails, business details),

• we publish data,

• we moderate submissions,

• we run memberships or accounts.

But GDPR does not require us to:

• check a SIRET,

• verify insurance,

• validate identity.

GDPR governs data, not business qualifications.

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🟢 5. So what should we do?

For safety and clarity, directories simply:

✔️ State clearly in the Terms & Conditions that:

• we are not responsible for checking business credentials,

• Businesses are responsible for ensuring their information is accurate,

• Users should perform their own checks.

This protects us legally and is standard practice.

In addition, we have an Advertising Policy which makes it clear what our expectations are of our listed businesses.

Optional but not required by law:

• we offer paid “verified listing” where we check SIRET privately (never publicly).

• we may ask for SIRET voluntarily for business legitimacy, but not mandatory.

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⭐ Conclusion

As the operator of an online directory for English-speaking businesses:

👉 We are NOT legally obliged to check SIRET numbers or insurance. This responsibility falls on the consumer.

👉 We MUST comply with GDPR for data we collect — but GDPR does not require verification of business documents.

👉 We have added clear disclaimers where necessary.