SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP (EI)

A sole proprietorship (EI) is a legal business structure in France that is operated by a single person, called a sole proprietor. This legal form is the simplest and most common way to carry out a commercial, craft, or professional activity in one's own name.

The sole proprietorship (EI) is aimed at a person who wishes to carry out a commercial, craft, liberal or agricultural activity in his own name, without having to create a legal entity separate from his person.
The EI is a form of business suitable for activities that do not require significant capital or employees. It is particularly suitable for liberal professions (consultants, lawyers, doctors, etc.), craftsmen (plumbers, electricians, etc.), traders (shops, e-commerce, etc.) or farmers. The EI is also suitable for individuals wishing to carry out a professional activity independently and without being subject to the administrative and legal constraints linked to the creation of a company with a separate legal personality.

It should be noted, however, that the EI exposes the entrepreneur's personal assets to the risks associated with their professional activity, as there is no separation between personal and professional assets. In the event of financial difficulties for the company, creditors can therefore seize the entrepreneur's personal assets to repay the company's debts. The sole proprietor has unlimited liability for the company, which means that their personal assets can be seized in the event of financial difficulties for the company. In addition, the sole proprietorship does not have a legal personality separate from that of the sole proprietor, which means that the company has no assets of its own.

The sole proprietorship is subject to income tax (IR) and the sole trader is considered a self-employed worker. He is therefore affiliated with the social security system for self-employed workers and must contribute to social organizations to benefit from social security coverage (social security, retirement, health insurance, etc.). The sole proprietorship offers advantages such as ease of creation, management flexibility, favorable taxation for low incomes, and the freedom of the sole trader. However, this legal form can be limited in terms of liability and financing of the business, which can make its development difficult.

SOLE AGENT (EI) and the GDPR

As a sole proprietorship (SOE), the types and nature of personal data you can process will depend on the type of business you carry out. However, here are some examples of personal data that sole proprietors can process:

• Personally identifiable information: This may include data such as your name, address, email address, telephone number, date of birth and social security number.
• Financial Information: This may include information such as credit card numbers, banking information, payment information, debts and financial assets.
• Employment Information: This may include information such as employee name, employee address, salary, leave details, and benefits.
• Customer Information: This may include information such as the customer's name, address, telephone number, and purchase history.
• Supplier Information: This may include information such as name, address, telephone number and contract terms. 

It is important to note that sole proprietorships are subject to data protection regulations and must comply with applicable data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the Consumer Online Privacy Protection Act (CCPA) in California. Sole proprietorships must ensure that all personal data they collect is handled securely and in accordance with applicable laws..