Regulation

The APVMA has limited authority in terms of managing CCA-treated products and can only make recommendations on the use and management of the CCA chemical. This authority does not have the mandate to make significant changes to the use, disposal and available alternatives to CCA-treated timber. It is recommended that:

• An authority, or a set of authorities working collaboratively, be given responsibility to:
  • manage the replacement of current in-service CCA-treated timber;
  • regulate and monitor industries that manufacture, use and dispose of CCA-treated timber;
  • undertake or commission necessary research into the risks associated with CCA-treated timber (manufacture, use and disposal);
  • regulate and monitor restrictions on future CCA uses and recommend alternatives;
  • classify CCA-treated timber waste as hazardous waste and ensure its safe disposal;
• Standards Australia reconstitute its timber preservative committee to better reflect community concerns and to ensure that it is not dominated by timber industry interests;
• The reconstituted standards committee revise AS5605: Guide to the safe use of preservative-treated timber and other relevant standards according to the Precautionary Principle; and
• Industries that may inadvertently recycle or re-use CCA treated timber be better regulated and monitored.