Noise Directive 2000/14/EG

Directive 2000/14/EC relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors

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Since 3 January 2002, machinery and equipment used outdoors has been subject to Directive 2000/14/EC relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors. The directive aims to make quieter products available to the market.

The directive requires all 57 machinery groups within its scope to be labelled with a CE mark and an indication of the sound power level. This should provide future users with sufficient information about the noise emissions of the respective machine.

This so-called "Outdoor Directive” particularly applies to construction equipment but also, for example, to aerial access platforms, power sweepers, cranes and compressors. The directive specifies measurement methods and operating conditions for determining the sound power level for all these machine groups. The manufacturer or his authorised representative established in the Community shall draw up an EC declaration of conformity for each type of the equipment or machine manufactured and affix the CE mark, which must also include the guaranteed sound power level.

The directive was implemented into national law in 2002 by the Equipment and Machinery Noise Protection Ordinance (32nd BImSchV). Since then, the directive has been adjusted to a small extent. Most recently, on November 16, 2023, the Commission presented a proposal to amend the Outdoor Directive 2000/14/EC. The revision concerns the methods for measuring noise emissions described in Annex III. It serves to adapt outdated measuring methods to technical progress and the standards harmonized under the Machinery Directive. Transition periods must be observed during implementation.


Conformity Assessment Procedures

For certain machine groups, limit values must be adhered to in addition to the CE marking. The involvement of a European notified body is necessary. The manufacturer or his authorised representative can choose from three conformity assessment procedures in accordance with Directive 2000/14/EC:

Annex VI: internal control of production with assessment of technical documentation and periodical checking

Appendix VII: unit verification

Annex VIII: Full quality assurance

DGUV Test Testing and Certification Body - Expert Committee for the Construction Industry

For all machine groups, the DGUV Test Testing and Certification Body - Expert Committee for the Construction Industry can provide support in determining the sound power levels by means of measurements.

Our testing center has a mobile testing laboratory with modern 12-channel sound measurement technology as well as many years of high expertise in the field of noise measurement, which benefits the manufacturers - and thus also the operators who use the machines.

The DGUV Test Testing and Certification Body - Expert Committee for the Construction Industry is accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) and notified by the Central Authority of the Federal States for Safety (ZLS) for the following devices and machines within the scope of the Outdoor Directive:

  • compaction machines (vibrating rollers, vibratory plates, vibratory rammers) 
  • hand-held concrete-breakers and picks 
  • wheeled dozers 
  • dumpers 
  • excavators, hydraulic or rope-operated 
  • excavator-loaders 
  • graders 
  • landfill compactors, loader-type with bucket 
  • loaders 
  • mobile cranes 
  • paver-finishers 
  • lift trucks, combustion-engine driven, counterbalanced 
  • hydraulic power packs 
  • builders' hoists for the transport of goods 
  • construction winches (combustion-engine driven)
  • tower cranes 
  • power generators 
  • welding generators 
  • compressors 
  • This means that manufacturers can have this equipment and machinery certified within the framework of the DGUV Test organisation too. 

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Fachbereich Bauwesen
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Tel: +49 89 8897-858
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