From 1 July 2024, there is a ban on nearly all work that involves the manufacture, supply, processing, or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs. A ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs took effect on the 1 January 2025.
Engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs are currently installed in many homes and other places throughout Australia. Work with engineered stone can generate a lot of silica dust and has been linked to increased health silica-related diseases. The crystalline silica content in engineered stone varies but it can contain more than 90% crystalline silica, which is significantly greater than what is found in natural stone.
Prohibition on work involving engineered stone
A prohibition on the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs commenced on 1 July 2024.
There are limited exceptions to the prohibition, where work on engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs is permitted for research and analysis, and to sample and identify engineered stone.
Legacy engineered stone
Legacy engineered stone is:
- engineered stone that was installed before the ban
- engineered stone that was purchased before the ban and now needs to be disposed of.
Work involving the controlled processing of legacy engineered stone to repair, remove, make minor modification to, or dispose of it is permitted but the WHS regulator must be notified prior to carrying out such work.
Processing, in relation to legacy engineered stone, means using a power tool or other mechanical plant (e.g., a crusher) to crush, cut, grind, trim, sand, abrasive polish or drill the stone. An engineered stone process is also considered high risk crystalline silica work, and you must comply with the high-risk crystalline silica work obligations.
The prohibition does not require the removal of previously installed engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs.
In most jurisdictions an exemption is provided for the reinstallation of engineered stone benchtops when other work is needed on the premises e.g. if a benchtop needs to be removed to access the cabinets underneath and then reinstalled. Please check your local WHS Regulator.
Further information
Safe Work Australia:
What is not included in the ban
Finished engineered stone products (such as jewellery, garden ornaments, sculptures and kitchen sinks) which do not require processing or modification are excluded from the ban.
The prohibition does not apply to natural stone benchtops, panels, or slabs, e.g. granite benchtop.