Editor's note
Overseas buyers and fabricators should monitor this policy shift closely. Australia's ban may influence other markets, particularly the U.S. and EU, to introduce stricter regulations or similar prohibitions on engineered stone. This could disrupt supply chains, increase compliance costs, and shift demand toward alternative materials like natural stone or sintered surfaces. Importers should assess supplier compliance with emerging safety standards and consider diversifying product portfolios.
Australia has become the first country to announce a complete ban on engineered stone slabs, effective next year. The decision follows a years-long campaign by health experts and trade unions, driven by rising cases of silicosis among workers cutting and handling the material. The Australian Council of Trade Unions noted the country's historical legacy with asbestos as a motivator for early action. International attention is growing, with California's workplace safety regulator drafting emergency protections and Los Angeles County considering a local ban. A recent U.S. study indicated silicosis cases among stonemasons, particularly in California, have risen significantly since 2022.
Australia will implement a complete ban on engineered stone slabs, beginning next year. The ban results from a campaign by doctors, trade unions, and workers, following the 2015 case of an Australian worker developing a debilitating lung disease linked to the material.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions linked the action to the country's historical experience with asbestos. Health experts and governments in California and London are monitoring the development.
In the United States, a July study found silicosis has claimed lives of several stonemasons, predominantly young Latino men in California, with cases rising from fewer than five annually (2010-2018) to over 20 in 2022. This has prompted California's workplace safety regulator to draft emergency protections, and Los Angeles County is considering a ban.
A UCSF researcher estimated 15-20% of U.S. workers in this field may have or develop silicosis.
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Sources
Source article: Australia will become the first country to ban engineered stone bench tops. Will others follow? | Source publish time: Dec 14, 2023 | Source language: en
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