Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India which has been established by an act of parliament, namely Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

The Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1952 applies to the Factories engaged in Industries specified in Schedule I of the Act or to other establishments notified and engaging 20 or more employees. All such eligible establishments are mandatorily required to abide by the rules and regulations of EPFO for remitting contribution in provident fund, pension fund and deposit linked insurance fund.

Registration for EPFO is compulsory for new companies and the companies / establishments which employ more than 20 individuals. Also, small establishments which do not have the minimum strength can register themselves voluntarily. Establishments which grow to strength of 20 employees are expected to register themselves within 15 days of attaining the minimum strength. A 15 digit alpha-numeric EPF Code number is allotted on registration for the purpose of handling EPFO related matters.

With the SPICe+ form being effective, EPF Registration and ESIC registration has now become mandatory for all the new companies that are to be incorporated through SPICe+