New UK Act to improve scrap metal traceability

United Kingdom – UK legislation intended to combat scrap metal theft came into effect last week. Under the new Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, all scrap metal dealers, vehicle recyclers and other collectors of scrap metal must obtain a licence from each local authority area in which they operate.

A temporary licence can be used until December 1 this year, by which point a full one must be obtained and an associated fee paid to cover the costs of the scheme.

All licensed scrap metal recyclers are required to undergo background checks and to pay for material either by cheque or bank transfer to ensure a record exists for each transaction. The Act also requires all sellers of scrap metal to provide identification, a record of which must be kept by the receiving company for two years.

Ian Hetherington, director general of the British Metals Recycling Association, describes the new Act as ‘a watershed moment for the industry’. He is also reported to have said that the legislation improves the traceability of scrap metal transactions while limiting potential outlets for stolen metal.

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