Complete silica and engineered stone regulation map. Status, thresholds, timelines, and procurement impact — across Australia, US, EU, UK, Canada, and China. Updated regularly as regulations evolve.
Each major market is at a different stage of the silica-free transition. This is the fastest-moving regulatory landscape in the engineered stone industry since the 2016 OSHA silica rule — here’s where every jurisdiction stands as of August 2026.
Enacted
Complete ban on engineered stone with >1% crystalline silica effective 1 July 2024. All states and territories enforcing with stiff penalties and workplace inspections.
Effective Date: 1 July 2024
Silica Threshold: >1% crystalline silica (engineered stone ban)
Latest (2026): Safe Work Australia published Q1 2026 enforcement report showing 94% compliance rate. Customs now requiring silica-content declarations for imported stone slabs. Queensland and Victoria adding mandatory silicosis health screening programs.
Proposed
OSHA silica standard (50 μg/m³ PEL) in effect. California advancing its own engineered stone ban modeled on Australia. USTR reviewing tariff-rate quotas for quartz imports. Multiple states considering legislation.
Effective Date: OSHA PEL enforced since 2016; CA ban proposed for 2026-2027
Silica Threshold: 50 μg/m³ (OSHA 8-hr PEL); CA proposing >1% crystalline silica product ban
Latest (2026): Cal/OSHA Petition 609 public comment period closed March 2026. Draft rule expected Q4 2026. New York and New Jersey introduced companion bills. Federal USTR quartz tariff review extended through September 2026.
Proposed
Occupational exposure limit under revision as part of CMD4 amendment. REACH restrictions being discussed for high-silica products. European Commission closely monitoring Australian implementation and worker health data.
Effective Date: TBD (CMD4 adoption anticipated 2027)
Silica Threshold: Current: 0.1 mg/m³ respirable (8h TWA); proposed: 0.05 mg/m³
Latest (2026): European Parliament ENVI committee voted to lower binding OEL to 0.05 mg/m³ in April 2026. Trilogue negotiations underway. EU-OSHA launched silica awareness campaign targeting construction and fabrication sectors.
Under Review
HSE actively monitoring Australian and California developments. Current COSHH regulations apply; stricter engineered stone controls under formal consultation with stakeholder input from trade unions and industry.
Effective Date: COSHH 2002 currently enforced; new controls under consultation
Silica Threshold: 0.1 mg/m³ respirable crystalline silica (8h TWA)
Latest (2026): HSE published consultation paper on engineered stone in March 2026, proposing mandatory health surveillance for stone workers. UK Parliament APPG on Respiratory Health recommended adopting Australian-style ban by 2028. Industry roundtable scheduled for September 2026.
Under Review
Provincial OHS regulations vary significantly. Ontario and BC leading national monitoring of international developments. Federal review of silica workplace exposure limits ongoing with CCOHS coordination.
Effective Date: Provincial rules vary; federal review ongoing, no national ban date set
Silica Threshold: 0.025 mg/m³ (Ontario & BC respirable, 8h TWA); other provinces: 0.05-0.1 mg/m³
Latest (2026): Ontario Ministry of Labour issued enhanced silica inspection blitz for fabrication shops in Q1 2026. British Columbia introduced Bill 23 amendments requiring real-time silica dust monitoring. Federal CCOHS working group report due November 2026.
Enacted
GB 46028-2025 — New China Stone Safety Standard in full effect. Sets crystalline silica limits and mandatory testing requirements for both domestic products and export consignments. Significantly impacts global quartz supply chains.
Effective Date: GB 46028-2025 effective 2025; enforcement ramped up through 2026
Silica Threshold: GB 46028-2025 limits; export products must meet destination jurisdiction thresholds
Latest (2026): China Customs began mandatory silica-content certification for exported engineered stone slabs in February 2026. Major quartz manufacturers in Guangdong and Fujian retrofitting production lines for silica-free alternatives. SAC/TC 460 technical committee reviewing next revision cycle.
A side-by-side comparison of the six jurisdictions we track. Use this table to check which markets already require silica-content declarations, what thresholds apply, and what documentation your supply chain needs.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Threshold | Effective Date | Key Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Enacted | >1% crystalline silica | 1 July 2024 | WHS Amendment Regulations 2024 |
| California | Proposed | >1% crystalline silica | TBD (2026–2027) | Petition 609, Cal/OSHA |
| US Federal (OSHA) | Enacted | 50 μg/m³ PEL | 2016 (enforcement) | 29 CFR 1926.1153 |
| EU | Proposed | Proposed: 0.05 mg/m³ | TBD (2027) | CMD4 Amendment |
| UK | Review | 0.1 mg/m³ (8h TWA) | Current; review 2026 | COSHH 2002 |
| Canada | Review | 0.025–0.1 mg/m³ | Varies by province | Provincial OHS + CCOHS |
| China | Enacted | GB 46028 limits | 2025; enforcement 2026 | GB 46028-2025 |
If you import into Australia: every engineered stone slab must carry a silica-content declaration. Non-compliant shipments face customs hold and financial penalties — verify before you book the container.
If you export from China: GB 46028-2025 certification is now mandatory for exported engineered stone. Budget for the testing cost and lead time in your sourcing plan.
If you sell into the US: California’s draft rule is expected Q4 2026. Even if your state hasn’t acted, major fabricators are pre-emptively switching to silica-free lines — inventory decisions made now will matter in 2027.
The global regulatory landscape for crystalline silica and engineered stone is accelerating faster than any previous occupational health campaign. Five key trends define the August 2026 horizon:
⚠️ Procurement impact: Any engineered stone product with >1% crystalline silica faces increasing legal and reputational risk in 6+ developed markets. Silica-free alternatives are transitioning from “nice to have” to “license to operate.”
Regulations are evolving rapidly. Subscribe to our weekly briefing for jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction updates and procurement impact analysis.