Every scrap metal dealer must keep at each scrap metal store, the following records -

 

(a)  all scrap metal received at that place, including -

 

(i) the description and weight of the scrap metal;

(ii) the date and time of the receipt of the scrap metal;

(iii) if the scrap metal is received from another person, the full name and address of that person;

(iv) the price, if any, payable in respect of the receipt of the scrap metal, if that price has been ascertained at the time when the entry in the book relating to that scrap metal is to be made OR where the last preceding paragraph does not apply, the estimated value of the scrap metal at the time when the entry is to be made;

(v) in the case of scrap metal delivered at the place in question by means of a vehicle the registration mark.

 

(b)  all scrap metal either processed at, or despatched from, that place, including -

 

(i) the description and weight of the scrap metal;

(ii) the date of processing or, as the case may be, despatch of the scrap metal, and, if processed, the process applied;

(iii) in the case of scrap metal despatched on sale or exchange, the full name and address of the person to whom the scrap metal is sold or with whom it is exchanged, and the consideration for which it is sold or exchanged;

(iv) in the case of scrap metal processed or despatched otherwise than on sale or exchange, the value of the scrap metal immediately before its processing or despatch as estimated by the dealer.

 

Entries must be made immediately upon receipt, processing or despatch as the case may be and books kept must be retained for a period of two years from the last entry. No more than one book may be used for each type of record (as described in either (a) or (b) above).

 

An itinerant collector may apply to the Council for limited exemption from the requirements to keep records.

Where a scrap metal dealer does not have a scrap metal store and he does not have limited exemption from the requirements to keep records, then the record keeping requirements as described above apply, except that: (a) the records should be kept at the usual place of scrap metal dealing business and (b) price and all other details shall be entered as soon as possible.

 

 

Any constable has a right at all reasonable times to inspect registered premises any records kept at the premises and any scrap metal kept at that place.

 

An Officer of a local authority duly authorised in writing shall have power of entry to ascertain if premises are being used as a scrap metal store contrary to Section 1 of the Act.

 

 

It is illegal:

 

to fail to register the business or to notify the Council of alterations in the appropriate particulars - maximum fine: £1,000.

 

to fail to notify the Council that a dealer has ceased to carry on business as scrap metal dealer - maximum fine: £200.

 

to fail to keep records of dealings as prescribed - maximum fine: £1,000.

 

to acquire scrap metal from a person under 16 years of age - maximum fine: £200.

 

for any person (selling scrap metal to a scrap dealer) to give a false name or address - maximum fine: £200.

 

for any person to obstruct an authorised officer or fails to produce any book or document which such officer has a right to inspect - maximum fine: £200.

 

 

Itinerant Collector -   means a person regularly engaged in collecting waste materials, and old, broken, worn out or defaced articles, by mean of visits from houses to houses;

 

Scrap Metal -    includes any old metal, and any broken, worn out, defaced or partly manufactured articles made wholly or partly of metal, and any metallic wastes, and also includes old, broken, worn out or defaced tooltips or dies made of any other materials commonly known as hard metal 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.

 

Environmental Health Department
Municipal Buildings
Earle Street
Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 2BJ

Telephone: 01270 537777.