Small firms that abuse criminal records checks could be banned from using the system altogether, they have been warned.
A spokesperson for the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) explained the body is committed to ensuring any applications for checks are "appropriate".
He stated that, at first, this is done through training, but further action could be taken.
"If there is insufficient improvement we will consider sanctions, including the potential cancellation of their registered status," the representative said.
Recently, an investigation by BBC Radio 4 revealed that some firms had been asking the CRB for checks on people applying for jobs such as bricklaying.
The checks are supposed to be used to vet people who will be working with children or vulnerable adults.
According to Nacro, a crime reduction charity, unnecessary checks are causing people to be sacked and are undermining the law on the matter.
It called on the CRB to take more action to ensure workers who have spent convictions are not discriminated against.
