STUDY ON THE MERGER OF THE DIRECTIVE ON NOISE FROM OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT, 2000/14/EC, WITH THE MACHINERY DIRECTIVE, 2006/42/EC (INCLUDING AN EVALUATION OF DIRECTIVE 2000/14/EC)

FINAL REPORT

This report aims to evaluate the current framework and policy options for a possible Commission initiative to legislate on noise from equipment used outdoors.

Previously, the EU has regulated noise from equipment through two different directives: the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (MD) and the Noise from Outdoor Equipment Directive 2000/14/EC (OND).

The former regulates (almost) all machines from many aspects, including noise, regardless of their indoor or outdoor use; the latter only contains provisions on noise emissions and is only for equipment used outdoors. With a few exceptions, all equipment subject to the Noise from Outdoor Equipment Directive is also subject to the Machinery Directive.

Prepared for the European Commission, 
DG Enterprise and Industry
Framework Contract B4/ENTR/008/006