B . 7.3 Decision tree outcomes : Option 2
The outcomes of the decision tree for engineered stone PCBUs ( Figure 6 ) under Option 2 resulted in no closures of ES PCBUs ( see Table 25 below ). This is a result of the expected market availability of lower silica engineered stone . The outcome of this is that there is no expected worker displacement and no need to consider the outcomes for workers under this option .
Decision tree outcomes for other industry PCBUs were consistent across all three options and are described in Table 23 .
Table 25 Decision tree outcomes – Option 2 – engineered stone PCBUs
Decision
Continue operating by switching to alternative products
Continue working with engineered stone with less than 40 % crystalline silica ( and natural stone )
Impact
Purchase new equipment to switch to nonstone product ( e . g . laminate )
Use existing equipment to continue operating with engineered stone with less than 40 % crystalline silica ( and natural stone )
Proportion of population Sole trader Small Medium
Rationale
0 % |
0 % |
0 % |
� |
No engineered stone PCBUs are expected to switch to alternative products given the option to continue operating with engineered stone with < 40 % crystalline silica . |
�
An immaterial number of businesses may switch to alternative products to cater to the cheaper end of the market ( e . g . laminate and bamboo ).
100 % |
100 % |
100 % |
� |
All engineered stone PCBUs are expected to continue working with engineered stone , given the option to continue operating with engineered stone with < 40 % crystalline silica : |
o
o
o
It is expected that there will be sufficient supply to meet future demand for engineered stone with < 40 % crystalline silica . 56
Consumers are expected to continue demanding engineered stone , despite the potentially higher costs associated with engineered stone products with < 40 % silica . 57
Submissions to the consultation on the Prohibition Decision RIS noted that a significant portion of work
56
Submissions from engineered stone suppliers indicate that sufficient lower silica stock will be available by mid-2024 .
57
In its submission , Smartstone noted that it has already observed an increase in the level of enquiries from engineered stone PCBUs and home builders regarding their lower silica range .
DECISION REGULATION IMPACT STATEMENT Prohibition on the use of engineered stone Page 87 of 107