Scrap metal dealers registration

Licence summary

If you operate a business as a scrap metal dealer with a yard, or a business collecting scrap metal by going door to door within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, you will need to hold a site licence or collector's licence issued by the Authority under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

Apply

Fill in the form using the guidance notes attached.

• Scrap metal dealers licence application form and guidance notes (pdf, 398 KB)

Types of licences

Site licence

A site licence authorises you or your company to operate as a scrap metal dealer from identified sites within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The licence will stipulate the name of the site manager for each licensed site. This licence also allows you to transport scrap metal to and from those sites from any local authority area.

Collector's licence

A collector’s licence allows you to collect scrap metal by going door to door within the borough. A mobile collector is defined as someone who carries on a business as a scrap metal dealer other than at a site by regularly collecting waste materials plus old, broken, worn out or defaced articles during door to door visits.

Motor salvage operators

If you run a business salvaging motor vehicles/parts you can also apply for these licences. This is defined as a business that:

• Wholly or in part recovers salvageable parts from motor vehicles for re-use or re-sale, and then sells the rest of the vehicle for scrap; or
• Wholly or mainly involves buying written off vehicles and then repairing and selling them off.

Read the full licence details on the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (www.legislation.gov.uk)

Fees

Your application must be accompanied by the appropriate fee.

View licence fees

Objections to applications

We are required to consult with the police on any application received under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. Should the police object to your application, you will be invited to attend a hearing before the Licensing Sub-Committee.

Guidance and information

• Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (www.legislation.gov.uk)
• Let's prove our mettle - a toolkit to tackle metal theft (www.local.gov.uk)
• Get in on the Act - Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (www.local.gov.uk)

Trade associations

• British Metals Recycling Association
• International Aluminium Institute
• Internation Lead Association

Contact the Licensing team

Contact us by: 

• Email: licensing@merton.gov.uk
• Telephone: 020 8545 3969 

Post:
Regulatory Services Partnership (serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) 
Merton Civic Centre 
London Road 
Morden 
SM4 5DX