Timber Products That Set the Standard: Havwoods Ahead of PFAS Compliance in Australia

New Australian Regulations Ban PFAS

As of July 1, 2025, Australia has officially enacted new national regulations prohibiting the manufacture, import, export, and intentional use of three specific PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS. This legislation, implemented under Schedule 7 of the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS), marks a long overdue significant shift in Australia’s approach to chemical safety and environmental health.

These important changes signal a growing demand for transparency, accountability, and higher standards in the materials used across residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.

What Are PFAS and Why Are They Being Banned?

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in manufacturing for decades due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They can be found in products ranging from non-stick cookware to water-repellent textiles, food packaging, furniture, and certain building materials.

PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment and can accumulate in human and animal tissue over time. Studies have linked long-term PFAS exposure to serious health risks, including liver damage, hormonal disruption, immune system issues, and some cancers. As a result, global concern around their use has intensified, and governments are responding.

PFAS free Havwoods HW16009P Columba Herringbone Timber Flooring | McGrath Office, Paddington NSW

What Does The PFAS Chemicals Ban Mean for Timber Products?

For manufacturers and suppliers in the interiors and building materials space, these regulations set a clear benchmark: from July 1st 2025, only products free from banned PFAS chemicals can be lawfully manufactured, sold, or installed in Australia.

This is particularly relevant when it comes to timber flooring, panelling and cabinetry products, where PFAS may not be present in the timber itself, but can exist in surface coatings, adhesives, or protective treatments. These substances - once used to enhance water and stain resistance or to improve product durability - are now under scrutiny for their long-term health and environmental impacts.

As awareness around chemical safety and indoor air quality continues to grow, so does the expectation that suppliers will act responsibly and transparently. The industry is shifting and only those committed to health-conscious, future-ready products will meet this new standard.

PFAS free Havwoods HW3823 Amazon wide plank timber flooring | Palm Beach Home, NSW

Where PFAS Can Be Found in Timber Products?

While timber may be a natural and safe material by default, it’s important to recognise that PFAS can be introduced during manufacturing. Here is a list of the most common sources of introduced PFAS:

• Surface Finishes and Coatings: PFAS have historically been used in certain water-repellent or stain-resistant finishes applied to timber surfaces.
• Adhesives and Resins: Engineered timber products often use adhesives to bond multiple layers; lower-quality or non-certified glues may contain PFAS.
• Underlays or Packaging: Ancillary components like moisture barriers or plastic packaging may also carry PFAS-based compounds.

Choosing Safe, Compliant Timber: What to Look For

To ensure the products used in your project are free from PFAS and other harmful substances, we recommend the following due diligence:

• Request Certifications: Reputable suppliers should be able to provide up-to-date documentation verifying that their products are PFAS-free and compliant with Australian chemical regulations.
• Look for Low VOC Certification: Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) certified products contribute to better indoor air quality and typically signal a more rigorous approach to chemical safety. Look for certifications such as FloorScore certification, Indoor Air Comfort certification, or CE Certification. 
  You can learn more about certifications here.
• Choose Trusted Suppliers: Leading brands such as Havwoods, have long maintained strict internal standards that exceed regulatory requirements. By sourcing from trusted suppliers, you gain peace of mind that your materials are not only beautiful and high performing, but also safe for people and the planet.
• Ask Directly: Don’t hesitate to ask your supplier whether their products comply with the new PFAS regulations. If they can’t answer confidently or provide documentation, it may be worth reconsidering your options.

Havwoods Setting the Standard: PFAS-Free, Always

At Havwoods, our commitment to healthier indoor environments has always been a cornerstone of our product philosophy. We are pleased to confirm that our full collection of timber flooring and interior timber surfaces are already compliant with Australia’s updated PFAS regulations, having long been free from forever chemicals, with a strong emphasis on Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and indoor air quality outcomes. This means all of our products are designed to support improved indoor air quality, benefiting both installers and end-users.

Learn more: How flooring choice can impact on indoor air quality

By choosing Havwoods as your supplier, you don’t need to worry about hidden risks. We offer full transparency and documentation, along with the reassurance that our products are safe, compliant, and crafted to the highest standard. In a market now governed by tighter regulations, Havwoods’ proactive approach isn’t just an advantage - it’s the benchmark.

Why This Matters for Your Projects

Whether you’re designing a residential haven, managing a commercial fit-out, or crafting bespoke joinery, your material choices affect more than just aesthetics; they influence the health, safety, and comfort of every person who uses the space.

Learn more: Healthy Buildings: How Wood Enhances Sustainability and Well-being in Commercial Office & Workspaces

As industry standards evolve, asking the question “Is this PFAS compliant?” should become standard practice. Havwoods provides not only a definitive assurance of compliance, but the verified documentation to support it.

From performance and aesthetic appeal to sustainability, health, and safety, Havwoods continues to prioritise excellence in every aspect; delivering uncompromising standards at every level.

PFAS free Havwoods HW12335 Clermont PurePlank 2.0 Timber Flooring | QBE Commercial Office, NSW

Specify with Confidence

Havwoods is proud to be at the forefront of product safety and sustainable innovation. In a world where chemical transparency is becoming the new normal, we’re proud to provide beautiful, high quality timber solutions that meet the highest global standards.

Explore our full collection of timber flooring, wall panelling, and cabinetry surfaces and specify with confidence - knowing every Havwoods product is compliant, safe, sustainable, and stunning by design.

Speak to our team to learn more about our compliant timber products and how they can transform your next project.