Licences and permits
The permissions a business needs before it can trade, each one tied to the law that creates it and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms, and never copy them.
24 of 426 licences for Materials, metal and mining
Choose from all 48 activities
A
Authorisation for dry cleaning (Scotland)
You need an authorisation if you run a dry cleaning facility that uses solvents in Scotland.
Scottish Government · Scotland
Authorisation to accumulate and dispose of radioactive waste (Scotland)
To accumulate and dispose of radioactive wastes you need an authorisation from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Scottish Government · Scotland
Authorisations for industrial activities (Scotland)
Your business may need an authorisation if it operates certain types of installations in Scotland that could cause emissions to land, water or air.
Scottish Government · Scotland
Authorisations for petrol vapour recovery (Scotland)
You may need an authorisation to operate an installation for the unloading of petrol into stationary storage tanks or motor vehicle refuelling activities at …
Scottish Government · Scotland
G
Gold and silver agreement for lease (England and Wales)
You need permission from the crown estate to carry out gold or silver exploration for commercial gain.
HM Treasury · England and Wales
Gold and Silver Mining Option for Lease (Scotland)
You need a lease from the Crown Estate Scotland to explore or mine gold or silver commercially in Scotland
Scottish Government · Scotland
Goods vehicle operator licences
You need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if your business uses a goods vehicle with either a gross plated weight (the maximum weight that …
Traffic Commissioners · England, Wales and Scotland
I
M
Metal dealer's licence (Scotland)
Contact your council for a licence to deal scrap metal from regular premises in Scotland
Your council · Scotland
Mineral mining licence (Northern Ireland)
You need a licence to mine for minerals in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland
Mineral prospecting licence (Northern Ireland)
You need a licence from the Department for the Economy to prospect for minerals in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland
N
O
P
Pollution data reporting (Northern Ireland)
You need to report your business's annual pollution releases in Northern Ireland if it's regulated by a Part A pollution prevention and control permit
Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland
Pollution prevention and control permit Part A and B (Northern Ireland)
If you carry out activities listed in Schedule 1 of the Pollution Prevention and Control (Industrial Emissions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 you need a …
Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland
Pollution Prevention and Control Permit Part C (Northern Ireland)
You need a Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) permit if you operate a plant or installation that emits pollutants to air in Northern Ireland
Your council · Northern Ireland
R
Radioactive substances authorisations (Scotland)
You need an authorisation from Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) if you keep or use radioactive substances.
Scottish Government · Scotland
Radioactive substances waste certificate of authorisation (Northern Ireland)
You need permission to accumulate and dispose of radioactive waste in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland
Register an expression of interest in mining (Northern Ireland)
You can register an expression of interest over ground you are considering prospecting for minerals in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland
S
Scottish Pollution Release Inventory (Scotland)
You need to report your annual emission releases to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency if you are a business regulated by a pollution and …
Scottish Government · Scotland
Scrap metal dealer licence (England and Wales)
You must get a scrap metal dealer licence from the council if you buy, sell or store scrap metal
Your council · England and Wales
U
W
Weighbridge operator certificate
Contact your council for a certificate of competence to operate a chargeable weighbridge
Your council · England, Wales and Scotland
Weighbridge operator's certificate (Northern Ireland)
You need a certificate of competence to operate a public weighbridge for which a charge is made in Northern Ireland
Your council · Northern Ireland
Checking approvals more broadly?
A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.