The Ban on Engineered Stone: What Does it Mean for your Project?

A ban on engineered stone products will be coming into effect in Victoria on July 1st 2024. From this date, the manufacture, sale and installation of engineered stone products will be completely banned with the only exceptions granted to projects where the contracts have been signed prior to December 31st 2023.

The manufacture and installation of engineered stone products containing silica has been a topic of concern over these last few years as more evidence is coming to light that supports reported cases of serious (often chronic and even terminal) illnesses associated with long term exposure to the dust particles released into the air when working with these products. The risk predominately affects workers who have experienced long term exposure to silica but does not pose a risk to homeowners who already have the product installed in their homes so if you have an engineered stone benchtop in the kitchen or bathroom for example, you are not at risk however, should the product be cut into in your premises, it is recommended that anyone working with the material be taking the proper safety precautions as outlined by the product’s respective manufacturer and in accordance with current workplace health and safety guidelines in Australia.

WHS Ministers in Australia agreed to ban the use of engineered stone products in the construction industry; this decision was made in December of 2023 and was followed up by setting an enforcement date in Victoria: July 1st 2024.

This decision has been in the works for some time now; in preparation for this, manufacturers have been shifting away from engineered stone products and developing new materials that contain a safer amount of silica that will not pose the same risk to health and safety as the existing engineered stone products would. As has always been the case, ensuring anyone working with stone products is wearing suitable PPE and is following all recommended cutting and installation procedures is paramount.

The Ban on Engineered Stone: What IS and What IS NOT Banned?

Coming into effect as of July 1st 2024 in Victoria, engineered stone products will be banned. This ban applies to engineered stone that:

• Contains more than 1% crystalline silica
• Is made from combining natural stone and chemical constituents
• Becomes hardened

The ban on engineered stone in Victoria does NOT apply to:

• Concrete and cement products
• Bricks, Pavers and similar blocks
• Ceramic floor and wall tiles
• Porcelain products or Sintered stone products
• Roof tiles
• Grout mortar and render
• Plasterboard
• Benchtop products with 1% or less crystalline silica content (by weight)

Source: HIA – Housing Industry Association Australia

Can I Still use Engineered Stone in my Project?

Engineered stone products have been a staple in the residential and commercial construction industries for a significant amount of time now and as such, many projects may still be in the early stages of construction when this ban comes into effect. If an engineered stone product has been specified in your project and you would like to proceed with this selection, you may do so provided that your construction contract was signed prior to December 31st 2023. The use of engineered stone in these specific circumstances will be permitted through to the end of 2024 with respect to relevant safety regulations.

Alternatively, you may instead consider swapping out your engineered stone benchtop with a different product such as natural stone, porcelain, sintered stone, low silica engineered stone, solid surface benchtops or recycled glass options.

Alternative Benchtop Products

In preparation for the ban on engineered stone products in Victoria, engineered stone manufactures have been shifting their product offering to include recycled glass products, low silica engineered stones as well as sintered stone or porcelain benchtop solutions. You may also consider other alternatives such as natural stone, timber or solid surface products. Each of these modern solutions offer a compliant alternative to the traditional engineered stone products that are being phased out of the construction industry, paving the way for a safer working environment. For more information on these modern benchtop options, see our guide here.