08 Jul Scrap Metal Laws in the UK

Scrap Metal Laws in the UK

The Scrap Metal Laws in the UK are designed to regulate the scrap metal industry and to prevent metal theft. The laws require dealers to be licensed and to keep records of all transactions.

The Tendring Recycling Centre is a registered scrap metal dealer and is therefore subject to these laws. We take our responsibilities seriously and comply with all the requirements of the Scrap Metal Laws.

If you are selling scrap metal, we would urge you to only deal with registered dealers such as ourselves. This will help to ensure that the metal is dealt with correctly and does not end up being stolen.

Scrap Metal Dealers Act (2013)

The scrap metal dealers act was introduced in 2013 to curb metal theft. The Government Home Office reported 61,349 metal theft offences in 2013, which corresponded to 2% of all police-recorded crime in England and Wales for this period.

In response, the government passed legislation with the following rules:

• A licence is required for metal trading and must be issued by the local authority.
• Any site that is caught trading without a licence may be fined up to £5000.
• Payments cannot be made in cash. All payments must be made through electronic bank transfer or cheque.
• Records of a seller’s name and address must be retained, as well as a record of the receipt of the metal.

Additionally, rules have been implemented to minimize environmental damage. This is to ensure that metal is traded and disposed of in a manner that protects the environment and those handling the materials.

• Scrap metal dealers must obtain a Certificate of Conformity, which proves that the site and business comply with EU waste regulations.
• A pollution prevention and control permit, waste management licence or registered exemption is required for any dealers that store, treat, recover or dispose of scrap metal waste.
• All scrap metal should be examined for signs of contamination. Hazardous or contaminated scrap metal may be classed as hazardous/special waste and must comply with the corresponding environmental guidance.