LABELLING CCA TREATED TIMBER FOR AUSTRALIA
04 November 2005
From 31 March 2006 restrictions will apply to the use of CCA treated timber in Australia.
Following its review of arsenic timber treatment commenced in 2003, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) announced a phase-out of certain uses of CCA treated timber over the twelve months period to the end of March 2006.
After 31 March 2006, amongst other more technical things:
 CCA is not to be used for treatment of timber and wood products intended for use as garden furniture, picnic tables, exterior seating, children’s play equipment, patio and domestic decking and handrails.
 Timber treated with CCA is to be labelled with the words “treated with copper chrome arsenate�.
Suppliers of CCA treated timber should be making necessary arrangements now to ensure that the timber they supply into Australia is labelled in compliance with the APVMA’s decision.