New legislation for scrap metal dealers

This article was published on August 6, 2013 and information contained within may now be out of date.

From October anyone collecting, buying or selling scrap metal will need a licence from the relevant local authority for the area they wish to work in.

The new Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 will come into force requiring scrap metal dealers to buy one of two licences, either a site licence or a collector’s licence.

A site licence will allow a dealer to operate a site and collect any scrap relevant to that site. A collector’s licence will allow its owner to collect scrap only within the authority area that it was issued.

To apply for a licence a dealer must submit a Disclosure and Barring Service documentation (formally a CRB check).

To operate as a scrap metal dealer you will need submit an application between October 1 and 15, 2013. You will then be issued with a transitional licence that is valid until December 1, 2013, by which time full licences will have been distributed. Anyone who carries out business as a scrap metal dealer from October 15 without a licence may be liable for a fine of up to £5,000.

The Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Councillor Craig Leyland, said “The news that scrap dealers will now be licensed is welcome. It will give the Council greater power of enforcement over those unscrupulous dealers who don’t abide by the law and give the public peace of mind when using scrap metal dealers and street collectors.”

These licences do not replace the Waste Carrier’s Licence. To collect scrap metal in East Lindsey a dealer will be required to hold a licence issued by the Council as well as a Waste Carriers Licence issued by the Environment Agency.