Information Running a scrap metal dealing business
Content
Overview
You'll need a licence to run a business as a scrap metal dealer. Trading without a licence is a criminal offence.
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
The following are not considered to be scrap metal:
- gold
- silver
- any alloy of which two per cent or more by weight is attributable to gold or silver
There are two types of licence you can apply for:
Site licence
All sites where you are running a business as a scrap metal dealer must be licensed and a site manager will need to be named for each site. This licence will allow you to transport scrap metal to and from those sites from any local council area.
Collectors licence
A collector's licence will allow you to operate as a collector in the area of the issuing local council. It doesn't allow you to operate in any other local council area and you'll need a separate licence from each area you want to collect in.
A collector's licence doesn't authorise you to operate a site, you'll need a site licence for this.
Please be aware that a dealer can only hold one type of licence in any one local council area. You will need to decide whether you are going to have a site or a collector's licence in any one area.
How to apply, renew or make changes to your license
You can apply for, renew or make changes to your scrap metal dealer collectors or site licence here: Application Form.
You will need to renew your licence every three years. Changes to your licence, could include changes to your trading name or closure of the business.
Please note, you must also tell us within 28 days if you change your trading name or no longer carry-on business as a scrap metal dealer.
What you need when you apply
You'll need to attach a Basic Disclosure Certificate from Gov.uk. The certificate must be issued no more than three months before the date of the application.
- your details
- details of any relevant environmental permit or registration
- where scrap metal will be stored before disposal
- details of all vehicles to be used under the collector's licence including registration numbers, make, body style, colour and model
- if your business involves motor salvage
- details of the bank account that will be used to pay for scrap metal
- details of any conviction for a relevant offence or any relevant enforcement action
Complete an application form which can be filled in electronically and emailed to: environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk
Payments
You'll need a credit or debit card. Please make sure you are aware of how much this will cost.
Who will receive or see my personal information?
Any personal information which you provide will be held and used by East Devon District Council for the purpose of issuing your scrap metal licence and on the basis of public task and our legal obligation under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964.
Your personal information will not be disclosed to anybody outside East Devon District Council without your permission, unless there is a lawful reason to do so, for example disclosure is necessary for crime prevention or detection purposes.
Your information will be held securely and will not be retained for any longer than is necessary. There are a number of rights available to you in relation to our use of your personal information, depending on the reason for processing. Further detail about our use of your personal information can be found in the relevant Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.
What's next?
When we receive your application, we'll check it to make sure it's been completed correctly. We'll telephone you if there is anything else we need.
As soon as we have the complete application and all the information we need, we'll accept it. We'll then send a copy of your application to the police and the environmental health service and make checks with the Environment Agency.
If no representations are received from any of these authorities, your application will be granted, and we'll send you your licence in the post. We'll also send you an internal cab identification for each vehicle used that must be displayed on the vehicle so that it can be easily read by a person outside.
If representations are received, then a hearing must be heard before members of the licensing sub-committee unless all parties agree this isn't necessary.
After the hearing we'll write to you with the decision.
What you can do if you haven't heard from us
It is in the public interest that we process your application before deciding if it can be granted. This means that you'll need to wait for our decision before you start operating. If after a month you haven't heard from us please contact us by email or telephone for an update.
What you can do if your application is unsuccessful
If your application is unsuccessful, please contact environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk to discuss further.
Appeals
If an application for a collector's licence is unsuccessful you can appeal. You can also appeal any decision to:
- impose conditions on the licence
- revoke or vary the licence
All appeals must be made to a magistrate’s court within 21 days of notice of the decision:
North and East Devon Magistrates Court, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, EX1 1UH Tel: 01392 415300.
Restrictions
You must not receive scrap metal from a person without verifying their name and address.
You must not buy scrap metal for cash.
You must keep a record of all scrap metal you receive including:
- a description including type, form, condition, weight, any marks identifying previous owners or distinguishing features
- the date and time
- the registration mark of the vehicle it was delivered in or on
- the full name and address of the person received from
- the full name of the person who makes the payment acting for the dealer
You must keep a record of all scrap metal you dispose of including:
- a description including type, form and weight (site licence holders only)
- the date and time
- the full name and address of the person disposed to
- if payment is made (by sale or exchange), the price of other consideration received (site licence holders only)
You must keep your records for three years and allow us or the police to inspect your premises and records if asked.
Displaying your licence
A site licence must be displayed in a prominent place, accessible to the public, at each site identified in the licence.
A mobile collector’s licence must be displayed on any vehicle that is being used in the course of the business and must be able to be easily read by a person outside the vehicle.
Legislation
Complaints
If you have an issue with a scrap metal dealer you can tell us about this. LINK HERE??