The checklist requires printers to ensure they have appropriate insurance and security controls in place, as well as setting out terms for allowing monitors to make unarranged site visits prior to work being placed to check quality assurance.

Commission chief executive Peter Wardle said: "Printing companies have an important role to play at election time and we'd encourage them to start working with returning officers on planning for the 2010 elections. Once the date of the general election is known, deadlines are tight, so now is the time to put systems in place so everyone knows what they are doing and where responsibility lies."

The checklist is available from the Commission website.