A Decision Regulation Impact Statement is a tool used by governments when introducing or abolishing regulation, to assess the likely impact of viable options against the default position of no change in a way that is transparent and accountable. This Regulation Impact Statement provides an analysis of the impact of a prohibition on the use of engineered stone under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws - The model WHS laws consist of the model WHS Act, model WHS Regulations and model Codes of Practice.

This Regulation Impact Statement builds on the evidence and analysis previously considered by WHS ministers.

In response to the epidemic of occupational lung disease including accelerated silicosis in the engineered stone industry, WHS ministers have recently agreed to consider a potential prohibition on the use of engineered stone in Australia. Safe Work Australia proposed three options for a prohibition on the use of engineered stone, as listed below, and sought stakeholder feedback through public consultation submissions.

• Option 1: a prohibition on the use of all engineered stone,
• Option 2: a prohibition on the use of engineered stone containing 40% or more crystalline silica, or
• Option 3: a prohibition on the use of engineered stone containing 40% or more crystalline silica and licensing of engineered stone containing less than 40% crystalline silica.

WHS ministers will make their decision later in 2023.