Scrap Metal

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 registered to do so by their Local Authority.

You are deemed to be carrying on a scrap metal business if:

you occupy a place in the Haringey Council area as a scrap metal store, or
you do not occupy a place as a scrap metal store in Haringey Council area or elsewhere, but your usual place of residence is in Haringey Council, or
you do not occupy a place as a scrap metal store in Haringey Council area or elsewhere, but you occupy a place in Haringey Council for the purpose of that business.

Registration as a scrap metal dealer shall last 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.

Copies of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 can be purchased from the Stationery Office.

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Registration Details

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 in Haringey Council that 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.

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Records Required to be Kept

As a registered scrap metal dealer, you must keep, at each place you occupy 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:

The description and weight of the metal;
The date and time of receipt of the metal;
If the metal is received from another person the name and address of that person;
The 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;
The registration mark of any mechanically propelled vehicle used to deliver the scrap metal.
The details to be kept scrap metal processed or dispatched are:
The 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.

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

Where a person satisfies the Council that the business is part of the business of an itinerant scrap metal collector, the Council after consulting with the Chief of Police may make an order requiring that on the sale of any scrap metal the seller shall obtain from the purchaser a receipt showing the weight of the metal and the aggregate price at which it was sold. These receipts must be kept for two years and must be produced on demand to any body authorised to require their production.

Where a scrap metal dealer does not occupy a scrap metal store and is not registered as an itinerant then:

'keeping a book at a scrap metal store' means keeping a book either
- at the dealers usual place of residence, or
- at any other place occupied for the purpose of the scrap metal business.
'the receipt, processing or despatch of scrap metal at or from a place' means
- the receipt, processing or despatch of scrap metal during the course of business.
- Particulars must be entered in the book as soon as is practicable.

Where a dealer occupies a scrap metal store and is not registered as an itinerant and scrap metal is received and disposed of other than at registered premises then entries in the required books must be made as soon as is practicable at the business' nearest registered store.

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Rights of 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.

Offences and Penalties

Any person found guilty of failing to register a scrap metal business or to notify the local authority of alterations in the appropriate particulars shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.

Any person found guilty of failing to notify a local authority that a business has ceased shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.

Any person found guilty of failing to keep the proper prescribed records shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.

Any person found guilty of acquiring scrap metal from a person under the age of 16 shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding £200.

Any person who obstructs the entry of an authorised inspector or fails to produce any book or document which the officer has a right to inspect shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding £200.

Where a person is convicted of failing to register or failing to keep records of dealings the Court may make an order imposing restrictions on the dealer for a period not exceeding two years.

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What legislation applies to scrap metal dealers?

Some of the key areas where legislation is likely to affect a scrap metal business are listed below.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act
The Environmental Protection Act
The Environment Act
The Controlled Waste Regulations
The Hazardous Waste Regulations
The Environmental Permitting Regulations - affecting businesses in England and Wales

Some of the most important issues that a scrap metal dealer needs to be aware of include:

you must be registered with your local authority
you must keep a record of all scrap that you buy, process and sell.
you must register as a carrier of waste and have a waste management licence/environmental permit - or exemption status - from the Environment Agency in England and Wales. The requirements for both the licence and exemption status are stringent and include background and financial checks. You will be required to obtain a Certificate of Technical Competence (CoTC) awarded by the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB) or otherwise demonstrate your technical competence. For both licensed and exemption status an initial registration fee and an annual renewal fee are charged. Find out whether you need to be licensed or to register an exemption on the NetRegs website
further requirements apply to 'hazardous wastes' - these are items such as lead acid batteries, oil and PCB contaminated scrap. A consignment note must be completed for each transfer of this type of waste. Transfers of waste across the England/Scotland border may be covered by a consignment note from either the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency

For further guidance on licensing requirements for a carrier of waste, contact the Environment Agency (See external links section)

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How to apply

Copies of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 can be purchased from the Stationery Office.

You can download an application form from the attached files section below.

You can apply online on the Business link website:

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Public Register

A public register of Scrap Metal Dealer Registrations is available to view (by appointment) by contacting: Licensing Team, Units 271-272, Lee Valley Technopark, Ashley Road, Tottenham, London N17 9LN or Tel: 020 8489 8232

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