Scrap metal dealers registration

Summary of requirements

Anyone operating as a scrap metal dealer in Wandsworth is required to register with Wandsworth Council. For the purposes of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964, a scrap metal dealer is defined as any person who carries on a business that consists wholly or partly of buying and selling scrap metal, whether it is sold in the form it was bought or otherwise. Registration lasts for three years.

The following offences and penalties apply for failure to comply with the legislation:

• Anyone found guilty of operating as a scrap metal dealer without being registered or operating in a way that is not consistent with the registration details may be subject 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.
• 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.

Eligibility criteria

A scrap metal dealer will need to register with Wandsworth Council if:

• they occupy a place as a scrap metal store in Wandsworth
• they do not occupy a place as a scrap metal store but their usual place of residence is in Wandsworth
• they do not occupy a place as a scrap metal store but they occupy a place in Wandsworth for business purposes

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:

a) The description and weight of the metal;
b) The date and time of receipt of the metal;
c) If the metal is received from another person the name and address of that person;
d) The price of the metal if it has been ascertained at the time the entry is made in the book;
e) If no price has been ascertained, the estimated value of the scrap metal;
f) The registration mark of any mechanically propelled vehicle used to deliver the scrap metal.

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

a) The description and weight of the metal;
b) The date of processing or dispatch, and in the case of processing, the process applied;
c) 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;
d) Where scrap metal is dispatched 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 dispatch and books containing records must be kept for two years following the last entry.

Special provisions regarding the keeping of records apply to scrap metal collectors registered as itinerant scrap metal dealers. In such a case the Council, after consulting with the Chief of Police, may make an order requiring that on the sale of any scrap metal the dealer must 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.

Special provisions also apply to scrap metal dealers who do not have a scrap metal store but who have not been registered as an itinerant dealer, to those who do have a store but where scrap metal is not dealt with via that store and to those who occupy more than one place as a scrap metal store.

There is no fee for registration.

Application evaluation process

Applicants must provide the following:

• their full name
• the address of the dealer, or in the case of a company, their registered or principal office
• the address of each place in the borough that is, or will be, occupied as a scrap metal store, if any
• if the business is carried on from the applicant's place of residence (where there is no scrap metal store), notice of that fact
• if premises are used for a scrap metal business although there is no scrap metal store, notice of that fact and the address of the premises.

The registered dealer must notify the local authority within 28 days of any changes to these details or if they cease to be a scrap metal dealer.

Provided you give us the necessary information, we will enter your details onto the register within seven days of receipt of the application.

What can I do if my application is refused?

Please contact the Licensing Section:

Email: licensing@wandsworth.gov.uk

What if I have another query about my registration?

Please contact Wandsworth Council (contact details above).

Consumer concerns about a scrap metal dealer business

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint, the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, and you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Alternatively, you can contact the council's Trading Standards Section:

Email: Tradingstandards@wandsworth.gov.uk

Other complaints

If you are concerned about any matter relating to a scrap metal dealer (such as noise, health and safety, etc) please contact:

Trade associations

• British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA)
• International Aluminium Institute
• International Lead Association
• Metal Bulletin 

Health and safety

Before setting up any business in the UK, you must ensure that it will comply with the relevant health and safety regulations. Please see the links below for further information:

• Health and safety at work
• Health and Safety Executive