Directive 2000/14/EC - noise - equipment for use outdoors

The Directive establishes the legal framework to harmonise rules and procedures relating to noise emissions into the environment by equipment for use outdoors placed on the EU market.

Scope

Directive 2000/14/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 May 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors applies to 57 types of equipment used outdoors such as compressors, excavator-loaders, different types of saws, mixers, etc.. This equipment is also covered by the Machinery Directive (to be replaced by the Machinery Regulation from 20 January 2027), but the Machinery Directive focuses on the impact of noise emissions on the operator and the Outdoor Noise Directive on the overall environmental impact.

Objective

The aim of the Directive is to ensure the free movement of outdoor equipment, to reduce the permissible noise levels of such equipment in order to protect the health and well-being of citizens and the environment, and to provide the public with information on the noise emitted by such equipment in order to promote less noisy equipment and improve consumer choice.

Definitions

Definition of terms “equipment for use outdoors”, “conformity assessment procedures”, “marking”, “sound power level LWA”, “measured sound power level” and “guaranteed sound power level”.

Contents

This Directive only covers equipment that is placed on the market or put into service as an entire unit suitable for the intended use. Non-powered attachments that are separately placed on the market or put into service shall be excluded, except for hand-held concrete-breakers and picks and for hydraulic hammers.

Equipment shall not be placed on the market or put into service until the manufacturer, or his authorised representative established in the Community, ensures that:

the equipment satisfies the requirements concerning the noise emission in the environment of this Directive;
the conformity assessment procedures of this Directive have been completed;
the equipment bears CE marking and the indication of the guaranteed sound power level and is accompanied by an EC declaration of conformity.

There are equipments subject to noise limits and equipments subject to noise marking only.
The following shall be excluded from the scope of this Directive: all equipment primarily intended for the transport of goods or persons by road or rail or by air or on waterways; equipment specially designed and constructed for military and police purposes and for emergency services.

Annexes

Annex I: Definitions of equipment
Annex II: EC Declaration of conformity
Annex III: Method of measurement of airborne noise emitted by equipment for use outdoors
Annex IV: Models of the CE marking of conformity and of the indication of the guaranteed sound power level
Annex V: Internal control of production
Annex VI: Internal control of production with assessment of technical documentation and periodical checking
Annex VII: Unit verification
Annex VIII: Full quality assurance
Annex IX: Minimum criteria to be taken into account by member states for the notification of bodies
Annex X: Unit verification; Model of conformity certificate

Read the full text of Directive 2000/14/EC

National laws implementing this Directive

Further information: