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Scrap metal site registration

Licence summary

The dealing in scrap metal or the running of a scrap metal business is controlled by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964.

Any person who maintains a scrap metal store within the Rochdale borough is required to provide particulars of their business to us and to apply for a licence.

A scrap metal dealer shall be classed as carrying on a business in Rochdale Borough area if any of the following apply:

  • The dealer occupies a place as a scrap metal store in the area
  • The dealer does not occupy a place as a scrap metal store but has a usual place of residence in the area
  • The dealer does not occupy a place as a scrap metal store but occupies a place for business purposes

A person carries on business as a Scrap Metal Dealer if he/she carries on a business which consists wholly or partly of buying and selling scrap metal, whether scrap metal sold is in the form in which it was bought or otherwise, other that a business in the course of which scrap metal is not bought except as materials for the manufacture of other articles and is not sold except as a by-product of such manufacture or as surplus materials bought by not required for such manufacture

'Scrap metal' includes any old metal, and any broken, worn out, defaced or partly manufactured articles mad e wholly or partly of metal and any metallic wastes, and also includes old, broken, worn out or defaced tooltips or dies made of any of the materials commonly known as hard metals or of cemented or sintered metallic carbides.

'Scrap metal store' means a place where scrap metal is received or kept in the course of the business of a Scrap Metal Dealer.

Eligibility criteria

  1. Registration as a scrap metal dealer lasts 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.
  2. Any person found guilty of failing to register a scrap metal business or to notify us of alterations in the appropriate particulars shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.00
  3. Any person found guilty of failing to notify us that a business has ceased shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.00
  4. Any person found guilty of failing to keep the proper prescribed records shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.00
  5. 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 £200.00
  6. The Council has powers of entry to ascertain if premises are being used as a Scrap Metal Store. 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 £200.00
  7. 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

Regulation summary

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 occupied as a scrap metal store, if any
  • If the business is carried on without a scrap metal store
  • If the business is carried on without a scrap metal store but the applicant occupies a place for the purposes of business, and the address of such a place

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

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that we must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us using the contact details provided.

Apply for a licence

Telephone or email us to ask for an application form. You should be able to apply for the following licences online in early 2010:

Failed application redress

Please contact us (Licensing Service) in the first instance.

Licence holder redress

Please contact us (Licensing Service) in the first instance.

Consumer complaint

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, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

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