Introduction of the new Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
In order to combat metal theft, the old Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 has been replaced with the new Scrap Metal Dealer Act 2013 – requiring metal dealers to operate under new scrap metal licences issued by their local authority.
How will the new Metal Act affect me as a customer?
Outlined under Section 11 of the Act is the new requirement to verify a customer’s identification and address, therefore you must bring two of the following items to confirm who you are and where you live.
- A valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland photo-card driving licence
- A valid United Kingdom passport
- A valid passport issued by an EEA state
- A valid UK biometric immigration document
To verify a person’s full name and residential address the following documents will be acceptable:
- A bank or building society statement
- A credit or debit card statement
- A council tax demand letter or statement
- A utility bill (not a mobile telephone bill)
Electronic Payments
Once we have recorded and verified your identity, we will then digitally weigh your scrap metal and give you a price.
Following the amendments to the 1964 Act in December 2012, all cash payments are prohibited for all scrap metal deals. Payments are now process through digital means via debit cards & other electronic payment methods.
Electronic transfers via debit cards are restricted under normal bank verification and validation methods which can take up to 3 working days to process. Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013The new all encompassing Scrap Metal Dealers Act came into effect from 1st October 2013 and replaced a number of loopholes in the cashless payment process. Under the new scrap metal license, local authorities have new powers to revoke licences where they suspect illegal trading in scrap metal. Magistrates will have the power to issue unlimited fines to any trader found to be dealing in cash.
When enforced – these measures will stem the estimated 1000 counts of metal theft in the UK each week, costing the UK economy a estimated £220 million per year.
Since the launch of the new cashless law in December 2012, indications show that the measure has reduced metal theft by 50%, something the new Act is aiming to continue into the future.