LOSP in Australia
24 May 2005
LOSP in Australia
Changes to the Australian treatment standards covering solid wood, plywood, LVL, glulam and reconstituted wood have meant, amongst other things, changes to the tin retention requirements for H3 LOSP.
Under the revised standard there are two levels of tin retention; H3A at 0.08% tin and H3 at 0.16% tin.
H3A is for products that are to be used in a vertical plane and coated with a properly maintained paint system.
H3 is for structural products that are to be used primarily in a horizontal plane without being painted.
Typical examples are:
H3A fascia, bargeboards, cladding, window and door joinery.
H3 bearers, joists, handrail, veranda posts, decking boards.
Implementation of revisions is the responsibility of individual state regulators:
Queensland – the revisions are not to be implemented until health and safety issues to do with tin have been resolved.
NSW – all registered suppliers of LOSP treated products into the NSW market have been informed that they should now be treating to the new requirements. Consultations on a transition period for stock treated to the “old� standard and currently held for the market is now underway.
Victoria – the revised standard comes into effect in March 2006 although there is no machinery established in the state to check for compliance.
It appears then that for the immediate future, different tin retentions will be required by individual state regulators. LOSP treaters supplying into Australia should be aware of this. For any inquiries consult the NZTPC.