Scrap metal licences

The dealing in scrap metal or the running of a scrap metal business is controlled by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964.

No person may carry on the business of a scrap metal dealer unless they are registered to do so by their Local Authority.

Registration as a scrap metal dealer lasts for 3 years and must be renewed on or before the expiry date if the registered person wishes to carry on as a scrap metal dealer.

Before registering any person as a scrap metal dealer the Council will require the following information:

• the full name of the dealer
• the address of the dealer or in the case of a body corporate the registered or principal office
• the address of each place inenter council namethat is or will be used as a scrap metal store
• if the business is carried on from the applicants place of residence, notice of that fact
• if premises are used for a scrap metal business but not as a scrap metal store, notice of that fact and the address of the premises.

The Council must be notified within 28 days of any alterations to a registered person's or business' particulars, or if the business ceases to operate.

Records required to be kept

Every scrap metal dealer must keep, at each place occupied by him as a scrap metal store, a book detailing all scrap metal received at that place and all scrap metal either processed at or dispatched from that place. Two books may be kept where the metal processed and or dispatched from a place is not received at that place.

The details to be kept for scrap metal received are:

• description and weight of the metal
• date and time of receipt of the metal
• if the metal is received from another person the name and address of that person
• price of the metal if it has been ascertained at the time the entry is made in the book
• if no price has been ascertained, the estimated value of the scrap metal
• registration mark of any mechanically propelled vehicle used to deliver the scrap metal.

The details to be kept scrap metal processed or dispatched are:

• description and weight of the metal
• date of processing or dispatch, and in the case of processing, the process applied
• where scrap metal is dispatched for sale or exchange, the name and address of the person to whom it is sold or with whom it is exchanged and the consideration for which it is sold or exchanged
• where scrap metal is despatched or processed other than for sale or exchange, its estimated value before being dispatched or exchanged.

Entries must be made immediately upon receipt, processing or despatch and books containing records must be kept for two years following the last entry.

Any constable has a right at any reasonable time to inspect registered premises, records kept on those premises and scrap metal kept on the premises.

The Council has powers of entry to ascertain if premises are being used as a scrap metal store.

Copies of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 can be purchased from the Office of Public Sector Information.

A copy can also be inspected at the Council Offices. Alternatively, send you request via our online licence enquiry form.