Industry compliance
Silica, handled properly.
What the engineered-stone transition means for your project, and how we help you specify safely.
The regulatory picture
From 1 July 2024, Australia prohibited the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs. From 1 September 2024, stronger workplace rules commenced for the controlled processing of all materials containing crystalline silica.
These changes protect workers from respirable crystalline silica (RCS) generated when high-silica materials are cut, ground or polished.
What it means for tiles
- Porcelain and ceramic tiles are not engineered stone and remain fully available; standard tiles typically contain far lower crystalline silica than engineered stone did.
- Cutting or grinding any tile or stone still requires safe-work controls: wet cutting or on-tool dust extraction, and appropriate respiratory protection for the person processing.
- For benchtops and vertical faces previously specified in engineered stone, large-format porcelain slabs and natural alternatives fill the gap - beautiful, durable and compliant.
How Tile&Co helps
- Technical datasheets on request for products we supply, so your fabricator and certifier have what they need.
- Silica-safe specification alternatives, curated with our A&D team.
- Honest guidance - if a selection carries processing obligations, we say so up front.
Official guidance
Always follow current WHS regulation and your state regulator’s guidance: SafeWork NSW and Safe Work Australia. This page is general information, not legal or safety advice for a specific workplace.