Registration of scrap metal dealers

Scrap metal registration
Registration details
Required records
Rights of entry

Offences and penalties
Further information and application form

Scrap metal registration
Dealing in scrap metal or running a scrap metal business is controlled by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 and no one may carry on the business of 'scrap metal dealer' unless they are registered to do so with their local authority. You are considered to be dealing in or running a scrap metal business if:

you use premises within Sevenoaks District to store scrap metal
you live within Sevenoaks District area but trade elsewhere
you use premises within Sevenoaks District to trade in scrap metal even though you do not store scrap metal in Sevenoaks District

Registration details
Registration is free of charge, lasts for three years and must be renewed on or before the expiry date if you wish to continue dealing in scrap metal or running a scrap metal business. The council requires the following information for registration:

The full name of the dealer
The address of the dealer (or the registered or principal office of a body corporate)
The address(es) of the place(s) in Sevenoaks District that is (or will be) used as scrap metal store(s)
Where the business is carried on from the applicants home, notification of that fact
Where premises are used for a scrap metal business (but not a scrap metal store) notification of that fact and the address of the premises used

The Council must be notified within 28 days of

any alterations to the registered persons details
any alterations to the particulars of the business
or if the business stops operating

Required records
Every dealer must keep a book at each place occupied as a scrap metal store detailing all scrap metal

received at that place
processed or dispatched from that place

Click on the following link for details of the required records ( PDF 76K file details).

Please note that two books will need to be kept where metal is processed and/or dispatched from premises but not received at that premises.

Rights of entry
(i) The Council has powers of entry to ascertain if the premises are being used as a scrap metal store.
(ii) Any constable has a right at any reasonable time, to inspect:

registered premises
records kept on those premises
scrap metal kept on the premises

Offences and penalties

Although Scrap Metal dealers are required to register with the local authority, the provisions of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 are enforced by the Police and Environment Agency.

Click on the following link for a list of the current offences and penalties ( PDF 31K file details).

Further Information and application form

For further advice and information please contact:

Health and Safety Team
Environmental Health

Sevenoaks District Council
Argyle Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1HG

Call: 01732 227000

Fax: 01732 742339

e-mail: environmental.health@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Click on the following link for a copy of the application form - scrap metal ( PDF 12K file details). Please complete and forward to the address above.

Sevenoaks District Council,
Council Offices,
Argyle Road,
Sevenoaks,
Kent
TN13 1HG

01732 227000