The ACT Government has banned engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels.

From 1 July 2024, working with these engineered stone products is  prohibited.

What you need to know

• If you have an engineered stone benchtop already installed in your home, there is no need to remove it if left undisturbed.
• Work on engineered stone, such as cutting with a power tool, generates harmful silica dust and should be conducted by a qualified tradesperson.
• It is now illegal for any engineered stone benchtop, slab or panel to be installed regardless of whether a building contract exists, an alternative product will need to be used.

This ban follows a national agreement  from Work Health and Safety Ministers in December 2023 and strengthens work health and safety laws.

It prohibits the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels.

There is no transition period for the ban due to the significant health and safety risks of working with engineered stone products.

Engineered stone benchtops, slabs or panels already installed before 1 July 2024 in your home or at a workplace do not need to be removed. If left undisturbed, they do not pose a health risk.

As the ban only applies to benchtops, slabs and panels, it does not include finished engineered stone products that do not need to be processed or modified. These include jewellery, garden ornaments, sculptures and kitchen sinks.

The new laws build on ACT silica safety rules introduced in 2022 to protect workers and strengthen safety standards.

Work involving engineered stone, such as cutting with a power tool, generates airborne crystalline silica (silica dust) and poses a significant health hazard to workers.

This can lead to debilitating respiratory diseases such as silicosis.

The ACT Government will continue to work closely with industry and business to ensure workers remain safe and to assist with the ban.

For more information, visit:

• the ACT Government Work Safety Group website.
• the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

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