Engineered Stone Ban to Start on 1st January 2025

As a follow-up to the September 2024 advisory on engineered stone ban, here are some highlights on the regulation:

• The ban will start from 1st January 2025. 
• The ban includes engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs that contain at least 1% crystalline silica substance, under the Customs Regulations 1956.
• Engineered stone products that are not benchtops panels and slabs, those that don’t need to be processed, concrete and cement products, porcelain products, and samples of engineered stone taken from benchtops, panels or slabs for testing that are no larger than 250mm by 250mm and 40mm thick are not included in the ban.
• Exemptions to the ban include those that were
  • permitted by the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Minister through writing
  • given confirmation from Comcare stating that the proposed use of the engineered stone is for genuine research or analysis
  • given exemption by a work healthy and safety regulator under the work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations or corresponding WHS law
• Prohibited imports can be seized at the border without warrant.
• Engineered stone of a value of less than $1,000AUD must be entered on a Long Form Self Assessed Clearance Declaration (SAC).
• Insufficient information on cargo reports or import declarations may lead to goods being held at the border.
• If the ABF suspects the cargo contains prohibited engineered stone, the importer will be provided the opportunity to have the goods tested at their expense.
• Note that several types of documentation may be required to demonstrate sufficient assurance that the goods are not engineered stone.
• Testing of goods must be conducted by a laboratory using analytical means, such as petrographic analysis and x-ray diffraction.
• Any attempt to rebrand engineered stone as another product to avoid the ban will be subject to ABF action.

For more information on the Engineered Stone Ban, you may refer to the attached document.