Noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors

PURPOSE : to ensure the ongoing functioning of the internal market by requiring equipment used outdoors to comply with harmonised environmental noise provisions.

LEGISLATIVE ACT : Directive 2005/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2000/14/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors.

CONTENT : this directive was adopted at first reading under the co-decision procedure after the Council reached agreement with the European Parliament.

The directive modifies current EU rules established by the "noise directive" (2000/14/EC), for types of equipment where permissible sound power levels apply, mainly in order to:

- allow certain types of equipment to be placed on the market and/or put into service in the EU from 3 January 2006;

- provide the Commission with sufficient time to fulfil its obligations on reporting and collection of data.

The noise directive imposes mandatory noise emission limits in certain machines in two stages: the first came into force in 2002 and the second will take effect on 3 January 2006. It sets maximum permissible sound power levels and mandatory noise emission labelling for 22 types of equipment and mandatory noise emission labelling for 35 types of equipment. Since January 2002, the 57 types of equipment must satisfy the requirements of the noise directive before being placed on the market or put into service within the internal market.

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 27/12/2005.

DATE OF TRANSPOSITION : 31/12/2005.

DATE OF APPLICATION : 03/01/2006.