News from Europe

The EU has announced some restrictions on the use of CCA-treated timber:

in residential or domestic constructions;
in any application where there is a risk of repeated skin contact;
in marine waters;
in any application where the treated wood may come into contact with intermediate or finished products intended for human and/or animal consumption
for agricultural purposes other than for livestock fence posts and structural uses

The restrictions do not apply to CCA-treated timber already in service. The EU has emphasised aspects of safe handling that we have long recommended here in Australia, viz. wear gloves when handling the treated timber, and dust masks and eye protection when machining it.

CCA-treated timber may continue to be used for a wide range of industrial applications but “Wood so treated may not be placed on the market before fixation of the preservative is completed” – good common sense, and aimed at ensuring wet treated timber is not despatched from the treatment site (see our Technical Report on this aspect).

These restrictions are to be applied by 30 June 2004 at the latest.

Harry Greaves, 18/12/2002.

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