Licences

Trading Standards enforces the requirements for the following - (click on a heading for more information)

PETROLEUM LICENCES

Petrol stored in underground tanks

Due to changes in petroleum legislation in recent years, the main premises now required to hold a licence to keep petroleum spirit are -

retail filling stations
non-retail petrol filling stations. That is, premises with petrol storage tanks where the petrol is not for sale, but is 'dispensed into the fuel tanks of internal combustion engines', such as contractors premises, farms or private estates

If you think you will need a petroleum licence, you can contact us by email or see the Contact Us page. Initially, we will arrange to visit the premises and advise you on the current requirements to meet licensable standards. This is based on the current industry guidance* for the design of petrol installations. If the installation is suitable, we will then ask you to complete an application form and supply the following –

a copy of a drawing of the premises (showing details of the petrol installation)
a copy of satisfactory tank and pipeline test certificates
a copy of a current satisfactory electrical inspection certificate covering any electrical equipment associated with the petrol installation
the appropriate annual fee

Petroleum licences are renewable subject to payment of the appropriate fee.

For licence renewal purposes, tank and pipeline tests will not normally be required provided that the licensee can produce records of wetstock reconciliation. In practice, this means records of daily stock checks, either by manual dip readings or remote tank gauges, in order to keep a constant check on stock losses.

* The current industry guidance is contained in the document 'Design, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations' published jointly by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration and the Energy Institute.

EXPLOSIVES REGISTRATION - FIREWORKS

STORING FIREWORKS
If you store fireworks, you require a registration or licence from the local authority, via Trading Standards.
The Regulations allow up to 250kg net weight (approximately 1000kg gross weight) to be stored. The net weight, or NEQ (net explosive equivelant), is often marked on the outer packaging of the explosives. Information about net weight of fireworks can be obtained from your supplier. If that information is not available, then the net weight is taken as being 25% of the gross weight.
The licence or registration is granted to a person (or company).

WHO NEEDS TO BE REGISTERED?
Registration is required if you wish to store the following types of fireworks -

·Up to 250kg of Hazard Type 4
·Up to 100kg of a combination of Hazard Type 3 and 4
·Up to 100kg of Hazard Type 3 explosives

This includes both the amount held on a shop floor and in any storage area.
Most fireworks in retail premises are Hazard Type 4, but if in doubt consult your supplier.
If you are storing larger quantities of fireworks (eg. 250kg - 2000kg NEQ of Hazard type 4 fireworks), you will need a licence for the store. Contact Trading Standards for more information.
If you store less than 5kg of explosives, then there is no need to registered or licensed.

SELLING FIREWORKS
Note: A registration is for the storage of fireworks. This does not entitle you to sell fireworks every day of the year. You can only sell fireworks during the following periods:

15th October - 10th November
26th December - 31st December
On the 1st day of the Chinese New Year and the 3 days immediately preceding it
On the day of Diwali and the 3 days immediately preceding it

If you wish to sell fireworks outside of these periods, you will also require a licence to sell fireworks. The current fee for such a licence is £500.

REGISTRATION FEES for the period 1 September 2008 - 31 August 2009
If you have not been registered with us previously, and you intend to store up to 250kg NEQ, then your application will be classed as a new registration, and the fee will be £100.00. If your registration is a renewal from last year for storing up to 250kg NEQ, then the fee will be £50.00.

POISONS REGISTRATIONS

The retailing of products which contain certain poisons is controlled by the Poisons Act 1972. The Poisons List Order 1982 contains a list of poisons covered by the Poisons Act. Part I of the list contains poisons that may only be sold by a registered pharmacist. Part II of the list contains poisons which cannot be sold unless you are registered with your Local Authority.

See the list on the PSD website

Typical examples of the types of products which might include these chemicals are:

·Descalers
·Sanitary Fluids
·Drain Cleaners
·Strong Disinfectants
·Weedkillers

Once you have registered you must store the poisons safely. Usually, that means -

·in a separate drawer or cupboard kept only for that purpose, or
·in part of the premises where customers are not permitted, or
·on a shelf kept solely for the storage of poisons and no food is kept directly under the shelf.

If you wish to register, contact us via the Contact Us page.

ANIMAL FEED HYGIENE

The Feed (Hygiene & Enforcement)(Scotland) Regulations 2005 are intended to ensure that the storage and use of animal feeding stuffs is adequately controlled. The Regulations apply to most businesses who handle animal feeding stuffs, including manufacturers, suppliers, farmers and livestock hauliers. For more information, see the Food Standards Agency advice