Environment Law Update: Noise 2

European Union

Outdoor equipment

Published in the Official Journal on 3 July 2000, an EC Directive on noise emissions in the environment by equipment for use outdoors (2000/14/EC) came into force on the same date. The purpose of the Directive is to remove technical barriers to trade by harmonising national laws of Member States regarding noise emission limits and labeling requirements at the manufacture stage, whilst producing environmental benefits. The Directive covers 57 categories of outdoor equipment ranging from construction and waste management equipment to lawn mowers. The Directive does not cover second-hand equipment nor equipment already in use. Manufacturers now have until 3 January 2002 to comply with the legislation. The Directive lists some equipment that is subject to noise limits and others that are subject to noise marking only. Equipment placed on the market or put into service complying with the provisions of the Directive shall bear marking consisting of the initials "CE", accompanied by the indication of guaranteed sound power level.
(OJ L162, 3 July 2000)

Noise policy

A proposal for a Directive on the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise has been presented by the European Commission. The proposal aims to provide a basis for a coherent, integrated Community policy on environmental noise and introduces measures to classify noise in order to prepare future concrete measures to reduce noise pollution. The idea of "noise maps" is introduced, based on common methods and indicators which will provide information to the public as well as being used for the development of action plans and strategies at various levels. Environmental noise as emitted by transport, industry and recreation, is currently estimated to be reducing the health and quality of life of at least 25% of the Community's population. Two noise indicators will be used commonly throughout Member States, the first one "LDEN", i.e. noise level covering the day, evening and night, to characterise the noise situation in relation to "annoyance", the second one "LNIGHT" is related to "sleep disturbance".
(European Commission News Release, 27 July 2000)