OBJECTIVE: the proposal for a directive seeks to contribute to the smooth functioning of the
internal market and achieve health protection by reducing noise levels in the environment and
simplify existing legislation concerning equipment used outdoors (for example construction
machines and lawnmowers) and to create a framework for the reduction of noise emissions from this
equipment.
SUBSTANCE: the framework directive proposes various measures to achieve the required
objectives.
- information of the public by marking all the equipment concerned (55 types) indicating guaranteed
sound levels;
- limiting sound emissions by imposing noise limits on certain products: admissible noise limits
would enter into force in two stages (the second stage commencing 48 months after the first) for 19
types of equipment;
- harmonization of conformity assessment procedures
- collection of data concerning noise emissions by equipment so as to assess more accurately their
acoustic impact and the technical possibilities of reducing noise levels.
�