Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964: What It Meant and Why It Changed

The scrap industry has always been vital to recycling and resource recovery, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. In the mid-20th century, theft of metals—especially copper wiring, lead, and aluminium—was widespread. To address this, the UK introduced the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964, a law designed to regulate the trade of scrap metals and improve accountability among dealers.

While this Act was groundbreaking at the time, it was eventually replaced by modern legislation like the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. Still, understanding the 1964 Act shows just how far the industry has come—especially now with platforms like ScrapTrade, which bring full transparency and security into scrap trading.

What the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 Required

Under the Act, scrap metal dealers were subject to new rules that aimed to make the trade safer and more regulated. Some key features included:

• Registration – Local authorities kept registers of all scrap metal dealers operating in their area.
• Record Keeping – Dealers were required to record transactions, including details of sellers and the type of metal sold.
• Trading Restrictions – The law tried to cut down on stolen metal entering the supply chain.

This was one of the first serious attempts to regulate an industry that had previously operated with little oversight.

Why the Act Became Outdated

By the early 2000s, the 1964 Act was seen as ineffective. Scrap theft had evolved, and criminals often found loopholes. Cash payments made it easier to move stolen goods undetected, and penalties for non-compliance weren’t strong enough.

This led to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, which tightened regulations, banned cash payments, and introduced stricter licensing requirements for dealers.

From 1964 to Today: The Evolution of Scrap Trading

The industry’s journey from the 1964 Act to today shows a shift toward transparency, professionalism, and sustainability.

• Then (1964–2013): Local registration, minimal oversight, mostly cash trading.
• Now (2025): Digital platforms, global marketplaces, escrow-protected payments, and strong regulation.

Why ScrapTrade Is the Modern Equivalent of Regulation

If the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 was about registration and records, ScrapTrade takes those ideas and modernises them for today’s digital-first world.

Here’s how ScrapTrade brings security and trust into scrap trading:

• Verified Buyers & Sellers – Just as the 1964 Act required registration, ScrapTrade verifies every user.
• Digital Records – Every transaction is logged securely online, preventing fraud.
• Escrow Payments – No risky cash deals; all payments are safe and traceable.
• Global Reach – Unlike the local focus of the 1964 Act, ScrapTrade connects you to worldwide buyers.
• Market Transparency – Live scrap prices give sellers fair value—something missing in the past.

Final Thoughts: From Law to Marketplace

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 was an important step in regulating scrap trading, but it belonged to a different era. Today, platforms like ScrapTrade not only meet the goals of that law—security, accountability, and fairness—but also go beyond by offering convenience, competitive pricing, and sustainability.

If you’re looking to sell scrap in today’s market, the old way is history. Start with a smarter, safer, and more profitable system through the ScrapTrade Marketplace.