Anyone wishing to carry on a business as a scrap metal dealer needs a licence.
A person carries on a business as a scrap metal dealer if he:
- carries on a business which consists wholly or partly in buying or selling scrap metal, whether or not the metal is sold in the form in which it was bought, or
- carries on a business as a motor salvage operator
Scrap metal includes:
- any old, waste or discarded metal or metallic material, and
- any product, article or assembly which is made from or contains metal and is broken, worn out or regarded by its last holder as having reached the end of its useful life,
but does not include
- gold, silver and any alloy of which 2 per cent or more by weight is attributable to gold or silver
There are two types of licences:
Site licence - This is where the scrap metal business is operated from one or more sites in the local authority area. The licence allows the licensee to buy and sell scrap metal and to transport scrap metal to and from those sites from any local authority area.
Collector's licence - This is where the scrap metal operator collects scrap metal in the local authority area. A separate licence must be obtained from each council the collector wishes to operate in.
A scrap metal dealer is only permitted to hold one type of licence in any one local authority area.
A scrap metal dealer must not receive scrap metal from a person without verifying that person's full name and address and must not pay cash for any scrap metal he purchases. The scrap metal dealer must keep copies of any documents used to verify the seller's identity.
The dealer is required to record specific information about the sale or purchase of any scrap metal. For further details of the legal requirements please refer to the regulations relating to this licence.
Eligibility criteria
An application for a site licence can be made by an individual, company or partnership and must be submitted on the relevant council application form. The applicant and any directors, partners and any persons nominated as site managers are required to disclose any convictions for any relevant offences.
An applicant for a collector's licence can be made by an individual and must be submitted on the relevant council application form.
We need a basic disclosure of convictions form for each person named on the application form. A Basic Disclosure Certificate can be applied for on-line via the Disclosure and Barring Service website. If a disclosure certificate is not submitted with the application form this may result in the application being delayed or rejected.
Regulation summary
See the summary of regulation relating to this licence for further information
Application evaluation process
Applications must be submitted on the forms we provide and be accompanied by the required fee. Please see the schedule of fees for further information. The following criteria, among others, will be considered when the application is being evaluated:
- whether the applicant, and in the case of a company or partnership, whether the directors of the company, the company secretary, or each of the partners (whichever the case may be) is a suitable person to carry on a business as a scrap metal dealer
- whether the applicant or any site manager has been convicted of any relevant offence
- whether the applicant or any site manager has been the subject of any relevant enforcement action
- any previous refusal of an application for the issue or renewal of a scrap metal licence (and the reasons for refusal)
- any previous refusal of an application for a relevant environmental permit or registration (and the reasons for refusal)
- any previous revocation of a scrap metal licence (and the reasons for revocation)
- whether the applicant has demonstrated that there will be in place adequate procedures to ensure that the provisions of the Act are complied with
Licensing officers will arrange to visit the applicant's business premises before any licence is granted.
A licence will be valid for three years from the date of issue and, in the case of a site licence, a copy of the licence must be displayed at each site identified in the licence in a prominent position accessible to the public. In the case of a collector's licence a copy of the licence must be displayed on any vehicle that is used in the course of the dealer's business.
Will tacit consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application and consult with relevant authorities before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the licensing authority within a reasonable period, please contact the licensing team.
Can I apply online?
Online applications for a Scrap Metal Dealers Licence are not currently available. Please apply by post.
How to apply
Applications for licences must be submitted on the prescribed forms:
Application for a scrap metal dealers site licence (203KB pdf)
Application for a scrap metal dealers collectors licence (193KB pdf)
Fees
Failed application redress
If an application for a licence is refused the applicant can appeal to Hammersmith Magistrates' Court, 181 Talgarth Road, London, W6 8DN within 21 days of notice of the decision.
Licence holder redress
Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence, or revocation of the licence can appeal to Hammersmith Magistrates' Court, 181 Talgarth Road, London, W6 8DN within 21 days of notice of the decision to attach the condition or revoke the licence, whichever the case may be.