CCA treated timber has not been banned.
Existing structures made from CCA treated timber do not have to be removed.
It is still OK to use CCA treated timber in a variety of traditional applications.
However, some restrictions have been imposed.
Restrictions on sale of CCA preservative treated timber for some uses
Under an agreement that the timber industry has with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Chemical Authority (APVMA) timber treated with CCA before 7th June 2006 can continue to be sold for all applications.
The APVMA requires that after 7th June 2006, timber may not be treated with CCA preservative if it is to be used for certain uses and the timber industry has imposed voluntary restrictions on the sale of timber treated with CCA for certain uses.
Those uses are:
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Children's play equipment
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Garden furniture
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Picnic tables
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External seating
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Domestic decking boards or
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Handrails
In addition to these restrictions, CCA treated products must be individually and legibly marked with the words "Treated with copper chrome arsenate" to first point of use. Small CCA treated products don't have to be individually marked however the pack must be legibly marked with the words "Treated with copper chrome arsenate" to first point of use.
Small products are:
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Fence palings, battens and droppers
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Veneers
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Timber with a cross section of 1500mm2 and less (except light decking)
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Timber less than 15mm thick (except light decking)
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Timber less than 500mm long
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Information on Arsenic Timber Treatments by the Australian government authority responsible for the assessment and registration of pesticides and veterinary medicines and for their regulation up to and including the point of retail sale.
Timber Preservers Association of Australia The Timber Preservers Association of Australia (TPAA) represents the nation's timber preservation industry. It is an organisation comprising timber treaters, suppliers of preservatives, research organisations, as well as individuals and bodies having an interest in timber preservation.
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