VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL Acoustics - the Dept. of ...

Chapter 7Directive 2000/14/EG :’Machines in open air’In may 2000, the guideline (also called directive) ’on the harmonisation ofthe legislations of the member states concerning the noise emission in theenvironment by equipment for outdoor use’ (2000/14/EG) was published.This guideline was converted in a Belgian national law on the 6 th of March2002 and was published in the Belgian state gazette on the 12 th of March2002 (from that moment on it is applicable).The goals of this guideline is the standardization and uniformization ofthe legislations of the member states concerning noise emission standards,assessment procedures, marketing, technical documentation and collection ofdata concerning noise emission in the environment by equipment for outdooruse. The guideline will contribute to the proper functioning of the marketwhile at the same time it is beneficial to the human health and well being.Therefore, this guideline is in first instance an economical guideline.The guideline concerns all machines for outdoor use that are put out onthe market after 1/1/2002. The guideline applies to the manufacturers ofmachines and it does not aim at the users of equipment. Depending on theirtype, all machines are divided in two groups that are listed explicitly in theguideline :The machines that are listed in Article 12 of the guideline. For thesemachines, limit valuesfortheproducedguaranteedsoundpowerlevelsL WA are given in the directive. Examples : compressors, dozers, excavationmachines, welding generators, lawnmowers, current generators,etc.The machines listed in Article 13 of the guideline. For these machinesNO limit values for the sound power level are applicable. Examples :123