New noise reduction laws welcomed

14th May 2014

ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association, has welcomed the European Parliament’s adoption of new regulations for reducing noise emissions from commercial vehicles and cars over the next 12 years.

The new rules will phase-in new limits by July 2016, 2020 and 2024.  The first phase will only apply to new vehicle types.  The second and the third will bring in lower decibel values and will include all new vehicles manufactured, two years after they start (ie, 2022 and 2026).

The most powerful trucks (over 12 tonnes) will have to reduce their noise output from 81 to 79 decibels.  Other commercials will have a margin of between one and nine decibels over the new car limit of 68 decibels, depending on the power of the vehicle.

“These new noise limits are very ambitious, but the industry is committed to reaching them to ensure the health and safety of European consumers,” ACEA Secretary General Erik Jonnaert said.  “Already, a modern vehicle is 90% quieter than one from the 1970s.

“Various sectors will need to work together, including with infrastructure providers and tyre manufacturers, as non-vehicle factors are a significant cause of road noise.”