Noise Testing Services

Manufacturers of motorized equipment intended for use outdoors and destined for the European market must comply with EC Noise Directive 2000/14/EC.

The Noise Directive establishes mandatory requirements for the control of sound emissions from motorized equipment intended for use outdoors. Directive 2000/14/EC consolidates the nine previous Noise Directives (79/113/EEC, 84/532/EEC, 84/533/EEC, 84/534/EEC, 84/535/EEC, 84/536/EEC, 84/537/EEC, 84/538/EEC and 86/662/EEC) and extends to a broader array of equipment.

Directive 2000/14/EC was implemented in two stages. Stage I permissible sound power levels became effective on January 3, 2002 and Stage II levels took effect January 3, 2006.

Prepare for the New EC Noise Directive
Directive 2000/14/EC affects a greater variety of equipment than its predecessors, including
products that previously were not subject to sound power level limits, lowering the permissible sound power level of all machinery designed for outdoor use.

The Directive specifies in Article 12 equipment that must utilize a Notified Body to obtain certification. A manufacturer shall subject their equipment to one of the following conformity assessment procedures, which require the involvement of a Notified Body:

• Annex VI.- requires a Notified Body to review the technical documentation gathered by the manufacturer. Periodic checks during the production phase are required.

• Annex VII.- requires a Notified Body to examine and test every single unit, resulting in an individual certificate of conformity.

• Annex VIII: requires the manufacturer to operate an effective ''full quality assurance''
system that is audited on a regular basis for compliance with the requirements of the
Directive.

Equipment not subject to sound power level limitation is listed in Article 13, where a Notified Body can act as a third party for measurement or as a consultant - providing needed expertise.

Important Facts about the Noise Directive
Manufacturers must comply with Stage II noise emission levels, which became effective on
January 3, 2006.

A working group set up by the Commission has concluded that a number of stage II limits were not “technically feasible”. Directive 2005/88/EC, amending Directive 2000/14/EC, was adopted on December 14, 2005. The main objective of Directive 2005/88/EC is to exclude certain types of equipment from stage II requirements, therefore allowing that this equipment can still be legally placed on the market/put into service as of January 3, 2006.

Stage II noise emission limits are merely indicative for the following types of equipment:

• Walk-behind vibrating rollers

• Vibratory plates (> 3kW)

• Vibratory rammers

• Dozers (steel tracked)

• Loaders (steel tracked > 55kW)

• Combustion-engine driven counterbalanced lift trucks

• Compacting screed paver-finishers

• Hand-held internal combustion-engine concrete breakers and picks (15 < m < 30)

• Lawnmowers, lawn trimmers/lawn-edge trimmers

All other equipment must meet the more stringent stage II limits as of January 3, 2006

Article 14 of the Directive lists the procedures that lead to the determination of conformity to
the Directive. These procedures cover internal control of production (Annex V), internal control of production with assessment of the technical documentation and periodic checking (Annex VI), unit verification (Annex VII) and full quality assurance (Annex VIII).

Annex V allows manufacturers of equipment referred to in Article 13 to self-certify their
product. Manufacturers of equipment referred to in Article 12 have the choice between Annexes VI, VII and VIII, all requiring the involvement of a Notified Body.

All equipment outlined in the Noise Directive must bear the CE Marking to demonstrate
compliance to the Directive. European Union member states must allow equipment bearing
the CE Marking to enter their markets, fulfilling the European Union's mandate of free movement of goods and services within its boundaries.

TÜV SÜD America Inc., Industry Service division, provides 2000/14/EC Notified Body services on behalf of TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH. TÜV SÜD AG entities hold Notified Body status for the Outdoor Noise Directive 2000/14/EC, the Machinery Directive 98/37/EC, EMC 89/336/EEC, the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC, the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive, and many other European Directives.

Contact us for more information on how EC Directive 2000/14/EC affects your products, how to satisfy the requirements of the Directive or to select the Annex most suitable for your organization.

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