Scrap metal licensing

Background

The Scrap Metal Dealers' Act 1964 (as amended) requires any individual or business dealing in scrap metal to be registered with the city council as a scrap metal dealer. The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 and the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2003 provide a separate framework for the registration of motor salvage operators.

The Scrap Metal Dealer's Act 2013 received Royal Assent on 28th February 2013, but is not yet in force. It is understood that the new provisions will not come into effect until the Autumn of 2013; when it comes into effect, the new Act will completely replace the existing scrap metal and motor salvage operator requirements.

Vehicle crime is perceived as being one of the largest single categories for recorded crime, and the motor salvage regime is designed to make the disposal of stolen vehicles more difficult. Please follow the other useful web sites link to the Home Office information about motor salvage operators.

The registrations are not mutually exclusive, and some businesses may require both.

In addition, the following may be required:

• a waste management licence or a hazardous waste licence from the Environment Agency
• registration of the business with the Health and Safety Executive
• planning permission for the use of any premises in connection with the business

Please see the other useful web sites links for further information on each of these.

The register of scrap metal dealers and motor salvage operators in Southampton is available through the Online Licensing Register link above; and extract from the register appears below.

Scrap Metal Dealers

For details of the registration process and an application form for scrap metal dealers, see the link to the left.

Motor Salvage Operators

For details of the registration process and an application form for motor salvage operators, see the link to the left.

If you need to contact us by email, 'phone or post, please do so using the details below.

Opening hours

Members of the Licensing Team are normally available on weekdays at the Civic Centre from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:00 to assist personal callers. We may be available at other times by prior appointment.