Canberra should consider requiring importers and suppliers to hold recall insurance in case they supply materials containing asbestos, the Senate inquiry into non-conforming building products says.

It is among 26 proposals in the Economics References Committee’s interim report on ways to protect Australians from the deadly substance.

“The committee acknowledges concerns raised by stakeholders about the potential impacts of product safety recalls on the public and industry, and is of the view that consideration should be given to introducing mandatory recall insurance to reduce the economic impact of such recalls,” the report says.

Other proposals include a national public asbestos register, reviewing the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s public reporting of asbestos materials in retail products, and prioritising prosecution of illegal asbestos importation cases.

“The committee believes developing a national public asbestos register that lists products found to contain asbestos, suppliers and buildings where asbestos is located may assist in reducing [the] risk by raising public and industry awareness.”

The committee will table its final report by April 30 next year.