The line of business of a company in the Finnish Trade Register
The line of business registered in the Finnish Trade Register defines the company’s business activities. A well-defined line of business makes it clear what field the company operates in and what it is doing.
Example: Trade, maintenance, and repair of vehicles
How do you formulate the line of business?
List all the areas in which the company operates or plans to operate in the future.
The PRH accepts many types of expressions for the line of business in the Finnish Trade Register. It can be specific and lengthy and may include several functions. However, the PRH recommends stating a more specific line of business, as a broad or general line of business may complicate the registration of the company’s name.
Please note: If a business licence is required in your line of business, consult the licensing authority about how to formulate your line of business. Read more about licences on the Suomi.fi websiteAvautuu uuteen välilehteen.
What is the main line of business?
The main line of business is the sector that the company primarily engages in. The main line of business to be reported to the Finnish Tax Administration is based on the Standard Industrial Classification (TOL 2008) published by Statistics Finland and is represented by a five-digit code.
The main line of business is public information, available in the joint company and organisation search at ytj.fi (YTJ), provided by the PRH and the Finnish Tax Administration. Go to The company and organisation search at ytj.fiAvautuu uuteen välilehteen
You can use Statistics Finland’s classification of economic activities to help you formulate the main line of business. Go to Statistic Finland’s Standard Industrial Classification.Avautuu uuteen välilehteen
Can you operate in a new line of business immediately?
The choice of business form determines whether you can operate in a new line of business immediately. For instance, changing the line of business of a limited company requires amending the articles of association, while changing the line of business of a co-operative requires amending the rules.
Amendments to articles of association and rules take effect upon registration.
The line of business of a general partnership and limited partnership is defined in the partnership agreement. A decision to change it cannot be implemented until the PRH has registered the amendment to the partnership agreement.
How does a change in the line of business affect the company’s name?
If you expand your line of business, the PRH will reassess the company’s name. The PRH will compare the company’s name with other names and trademarks in the same line of business. You may need to change the name.
You may also have to change the company’s name if a part of the sector is omitted.
Example: Brown’s Bar is changed into a plumbing business, and bar activities are no longer conducted according to the line of business.
When do you report the line of business of an auxiliary company name?
A company registered in the Finnish Trade Register can conduct part of its operations under an auxiliary company name.
The activities conducted under the auxiliary company name must not include the entire line of business of the company. When you register an auxiliary company name in the Finnish Trade Register, you must also specify the part of the line of business conducted under the auxiliary name. Read more about auxiliary company names.