THE EU DIRECTIVES ON NOISE – A CHALLENGE TO US INDUSTRY

摘要

The Directives promulgated by the European Union with regard to product noise are due to go into effect in January 2002. After that time, some products will have to report their sound power levels, others will have to meet preset limits on sound power. In the latter case, the products that companies wish to sell in Europe will have to be tested for their noise output, and if they do not meet the restrictions, they cannot be sold in Europe. Generally, the types of equipment involved are for commercial use and include common types of construction equipments One included category is lawnmowers and trimmers. The size ranges of these includes the types sold for both consumer and commercial usage. There is serious question whether these equipments can comply with the Directives and still do their job. The US companies that market these products are likely to have great difficulty in selling products that are both effective and compliant. In January of 2006, the limits on allowable radiated sound are reduced further.