Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

What happens once you have applied for a licence? 

We are legally required to take steps to ensure that you are a fit and proper person to operate a scrap metal business. This will include consideration of any criminal convictions you, or your site manager, may have.

Once we receive your completed application it will be processed and a licence, if granted, will be issued in due course.

If a licence is granted authorised council officers and the Police will have a right to visit the premises to ensure that the law is being complied with.

If you obtain a collector's licence authorised council officers and the Police will have the right to inspect the records that you are required to keep.  Here is a template of a Record, which will enable you to comply with the Law.

Other requirements

In addition to the new licensing system there are some other significant changes to how scrap metal dealers must operate: - 

• If your business involves receiving scrap metal there is a new requirement to record certain information about the scrap metal being received and details of who was selling it. This includes a requirement to verify the seller's name and address.
• If your business involves disposing of scrap metal there is a new requirement to record certain information about the scrap metal being disposed of and details of who received it.
• Cash payments for scrap metal will no longer be permitted. Payments for scrap must, in future, be made by either cheque or direct bank transfer.

 This guidance is intended to be a brief summary of the requirements of the new Act and should not be regarded as a comprehensive legal document. You are strongly advised to read the law in detail to ensure you comply with any legal requirements that may apply to you or your business. This may involve speaking to a solicitor or seeking other legal advice.