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Noise Emissions in the Environment
The EC Noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors Directive was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 3 July 2000 as Directive 2000/14/EC. The Directive arises from the European Community's (EC) programme for the elimination of technical barriers to trade and is formulated under the 'Global Approach'. Its purpose is to harmonise national laws of Member States regarding noise emission limits and labelling requirements at the manufacturing stage.
VCA has been tasked by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (formerly the Department for Business, Enterprise, & Regulatory Reform) to carry out inspections at retailers and importers premises to identify items of equipment covered by this legislation that do not conform. Additionally, VCA carries out noise level testing on samples of equipment to check the accuracy of noise levels claimed. The Directive was implemented into UK law by The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/1701) made under the European Communities Act 1972.
For more information on this subject, please see the document, 
Outline of the Noise Regulations (PDF 69.8KB)
EC Declaration of Conformity
In order to certify that an item of equipment is in conformity with the provisions of the Regulations, the manufacturer shall draw up an EC Declaration of Conformity for each type of equipment manufactured. For equipment placed on the market or put into service in the UK, the Declaration of Conformity must be in English.
The manufacturer or his authorised representative established in the Community shall ensure that a copy of the EC Declaration for each type of equipment shall be sent to:
FAO The Secretary General
(DG Environment-Noise Directive 200/14/EC)
200 Rue de la Loi
B-1048 Brussels
Belgium
For guidance on how to submit your declaration of conformity to the European Union electronically please see the following link:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/mechan_equipment/noise/declconf.htm
For equipment placed on the market or put into service in the UK a copy of the EC Declaration of Conformity must also be sent to:
BIS *
PO Box 1302
Bristol BS99 2GB
*Note: Formerly DTI, BERR
or alternatively a copy of the Declaration of Conformity can be sent by email to:
Please follow this link to our Prosecution Code of Practice (PDF 660.6KB)
Follow this link to the BIS Guidance Notes on the UK Regulations - first edition (opens in new window).
