Scrap Metal Registration

Who should apply for a Scrap Metal Registration

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 Poole area is required to provide particulars of their business to us and to apply for registration.

Do I need to register with the Council

A person may only carry on the business of a Scrap Metal Dealer in Poole if they are registered under the above Act. The business of a Scrap Metal Dealer includes any of the following:

• having a scrap metal store located within Poole

• a Scrap Metal Store is not located within the area, but Poole is their usual place of residence

• a Scrap Metal Store is not located within the area, but premises within Poole are occupied wholly or partly for the purpose of dealing in scrap metal. 

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What is 'business as a scrap metal dealer', 'scrap metal' and a 'scrap metal store'

• a person carries on business as a scrap metal dealer if he 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 than 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 but not required for such manufacture
• '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 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  

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How do I apply

There is an application form available for you to download. There is no application fee. You can also email us for a copy of the application form.

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.

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Offences and Penalties

• 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.
• 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.
• Any person found guilty of failing to keep the proper prescribed records shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.  

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Rights of Entry

Any constable has a right at any reasonable time to inspect registered premises, records kept on those premises and scrap metal kept on the premises.

The Council has powers of entry to ascertain if premises are being used as a scrap metal store. 

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Further Information

Copies of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 can be purchased from the Office of Public Sector Information website.This information is only a brief guide, for further information please email us.

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