Environment Agency Fines Auto Dismantler Without License.

The United Kingdom-based Environment Agency announced that Escort Spares and Panels, a company based in the United Kingdom, has pled guilt to two charges of operating an auto dismantling facility without a Waste Management license..

Iain Storer, an Environment Agency officer involved in the investigation, said: "The End of Life Vehicle regulations have been introduced to both maximize the recovery of the waste components and fluids found in vehicles and protect the environment.

"We have been proactive in informing businesses of their obligations under the regulations. Any scrap yard or vehicle breaker not complying with them is operating outside the law and we will not hesitate to take action when a company is found to be doing this. ‘

The introduction of the End of Life Vehicle regulations in 2003 mandates any auto dismantler obtain a Waste Management License. Because of this, the Environment Agency initiated a campaign to target unlicensed sites that were carrying out this type of activity.

During an inspection last year two Agency officers found a scrap vehicle that was being dismantled. A variety of fluids had been removed from the car but a container of waste oil and a stack of batteries were found. Recovered vehicles parts were found stored on racking. It was clear that vehicles were being brought to the yard for dismantling. The vehicles had not had potentially polluting materials removed and therefore doing this was in contravention with the End of Life Vehicle Regulations 2003.

In settling the case, Terry Deakin, the owner of the scrap yard, said his premises are kept to a high standard. He also pointed out that he had caused no pollution and he dealt with any oil spillages immediately.