Australia’s Engineered Stone Ban: What It Means & How to Care for Your Benchtops Safely
Over recent years, Australia has taken significant steps to protect worker health by introducing one of the world’s first national bans on engineered stone products that contain crystalline silica. This landmark change not only impacts how businesses operate but also how homeowners think about their benchtop materials and maintenance routines.
Why the Ban on Engineered Stone?
Engineered stone, often used for kitchen and bathroom benchtops, is a manufactured surface made by binding crushed natural stone with resins and other constituents. When this material contains 1% or more crystalline silica by weight, it can produce fine respirable silica dust during cutting, grinding or drilling — and this dust poses a serious risk to respiratory health.
Exposure to silica dust has been linked to silicosis — a chronic, incurable lung disease — as well as lung cancer and other respiratory conditions. Traditional safety measures didn’t sufficiently protect workers, leading Australia’s governments to act decisively.
What the Ban Covers
The ban — effective from 1 July 2024 — prohibits the manufacture, supply, processing, and installation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs, and panels that meet the crystalline silica threshold.
From 1 January 2025, these products also became prohibited imports into Australia.
What’s excluded?
- Products with less than 1% crystalline silica.
- Materials like porcelain, sintered stone without resin, grout, mortar, and other masonry products that don’t meet the engineered stone definition.
This means alternative surfaces — including recycled, low-silica or natural options — can still be used and are often safer for both installation crews and homeowners.
What Does This Mean for Renovations & Existing Surfaces?
If you’re renovating or looking to replace benchtops, this ban restricts the traditional engineered stone options that contain high silica levels. However:
- Existing engineered stone installed before the ban remains in place; it just needs careful, controlled handling if removal or modification is necessary.
- Low-silica or alternative surfaces (often with recycled content) are now attractive, health-savvy choices for modern homes.
Safe Alternatives: Recycled & Low-Silica Surfaces
One popular alternative emerging in the market is recycled content surfaces — such as the Quantum Zero range — which combine design flexibility with lower risk because they don’t depend on high crystalline silica content. These surfaces offer excellent performance for kitchens and bathrooms, and are easier to care for without the serious health implications of traditional engineered stone.
Everyday Care: Keeping Your Surfaces Looking Great
Now that many Australians are choosing safer surface materials — whether recycled surfaces like Quantum Zero, natural stone, or other engineered options with low silica — proper care and maintenance is key to longevity and beauty.
Here are two products that make daily cleaning both effective and gentle:
🧼 Quantum Zero Spray Cleaner – 500ml
This streak-free spray cleaner is perfect for everyday surface maintenance. Its gentle formulation is suitable for engineered quartz, porcelain, tiles, natural stone, and benchtops — helping keep your surfaces hygienic and well-presented without harsh chemicals that can harm finishes.
✨ Benefits:
- Easy trigger-spray application.
- Safe for multiple surface types.
- Leaves no streaks or residue.
👉 Ideal for regular wipe-downs in kitchens and bathrooms.
🧽 Quantum Zero Cream Cleanser – 250ml
Designed for a deeper clean, this cream cleanser tackles stubborn marks and spots while remaining gentle on surface finishes — perfect for stubborn stains without risking abrasion or surface damage.
✨ Benefits:
- Works well on recycled surfaces and engineered finishes.
- Helps keep benchtops looking like new with careful use.
When used together, the spray and cream cleansing combo gives you both day-to-day cleaning and occasional deep cleaning power.
Tips for Caring for Your Benchtops
To keep any surface — especially those that are low-silica or recycled — in top condition:
- Wipe up spills promptly to avoid staining.
- Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, oven cleaners or abrasive powders that can dull surfaces.
- Use a microfibre cloth for the best finish after cleaning.
- Consider protecting surfaces from heat and sharp tools with trivets and cutting boards.
Final Thoughts
Australia’s engineered stone ban underscores how seriously workplace health risks are taken — and pushes homeowners and industry toward smarter, safer surface choices. Whether you’re renovating or maintaining existing benchtops, selecting the right materials and cleaning products — like Quantum Zero Spray Cleaner and Quantum Zero Cream Cleanser — helps ensure durability and beauty without compromising safety.
