The Environment Agency have teamed up with online giant eBay to tackle illegal car breakers who use the online platform to trade parts from unauthorised vehicle disposals. The partnership also aims to act to inform the public who may unknowingly purchase parts from the illegal traders.
Business sellers who display used vehicle parts for sale will receive a pop up message to highlight that an environmental permit is required to carry out breakage of vehicles. Sellers will then be directed to the Government website where they can get more information on the subject.
Under UK law, all car breakers and traders of used vehicle parts must have an environmental permit for such operations. They must also be aware of how to properly dismantle a vehicle and appropriately dispose of hazardous waste, which can be costly. Avoiding appropriate car breaking undercuts the legitimate operators and creates an opportunity for illegal waste disposal, which can pose a fire risk and have detrimental effects on the environment.
Online sellers of used vehicle parts who comply with the law and have a permit for vehicle breaking operations are advised to display their permit number, or the name of the sites where they source parts they are selling, which will provide reassurance to buyers that they are buying from a legal dealer.
The new partnership has resulted in a spike in permit applications to take businesses into legal status. The Environment Agency has also benefited from being able to utilise resources and time in tackling illegal car breaking.
Sellers who are not displaying their environmental permit on eBay for trading vehicle parts will be directly contacted by the Environment Agency who will provide guidance on environmental permitting and warn about illegal trade activities.
Sellers who do not respond to the Environment Agency's notice will have their trading account suspended or removed from eBay. With sellers who continue to trade, the Environment Agency will take further steps, including reporting them to the Police and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs as well as making a site visit.
Rich Cloke from the Environment Agency said on this subject: "Businesses are not always aware they should have a permit and many are reacting positively to the messages we are getting to them. We have seen an increase in businesses applying for the relevant permit. This is proving to be a quick and effective way of communicating our message directly with the vehicle breakers and parts dealers."
For more information on this subject, see the:
