Hardware chain Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said the company’s move to stop selling engineered stone has been welcomed by governments.
“What’s absolutely crystal clear is just how devastating a disease silicosis is,so particularly with where government was going,we just wanted to be in a position to say,dear customer,dear supplier,you’ve got certainty.”
Engineered stone makes up “quite a small component” of the overall mix of kitchen benchtops sold at Bunnings,with timber and laminate very popular options.
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“Sold the way we were selling it,there was no risk to the consumer,there was no risk to the people working with it,but we do recognise that this is a real challenge for the industry,” said Schneider.
“We’ve received very positive feedback from both a variety of state and federal governments to say[it’s] really clear you’ve provided certainty while we work out what we’re going to do from a legislative point of view.”
He noted global homewares giantIKEA made a similar move a day after Bunnings’ announcement and urged others to do the same. “Hopefully,the rest of the industry plays it the same way in creating certainty because at the end of the day,consumers need to know what they can and can’t buy,and suppliers need to know whether they should or shouldn’t be investing in products.”