1. Bernhard Berger, Marco Paviotti DG Environment, European Commission
The Implementation of the Environmental Noise Directive Expert Group Meeting 28 February 2017
Bernhard Berger, Marco Paviotti
DG Environment, European Commission

2. Requirement
Directive 2002/49/EC: Article 11 provides for an implementation report to be prepared by the European Commission every 5 years.
review of the acoustic environment
goals and measures for the reduction of environmental noise (legislation at source)
need for further Community actions

3. Context
Noise pollution still the second largest environmental health problem in the EU
7th EAP goal to reduce the number of people harmfully affected
Implementation of innovative solutions aimed at achieving a new boost for jobs, growth and investment

4. Implementation issues
Transposition
Limit values
Indicators
Common methods
Completeness of strategic noise maps and action plans
Public consultation
Quiet areas
Legislation at source
Next steps

5. Transposition
All MS transposed the Directive correctly either through new legislation or amending existing one

6. Designation No significant problems were found
However, designation of agglomerations may pose a challenge and some harmonisation might be necessary
Some MS are facing challenges due to non-transparent division of competencies between different actors at local, regional and national levels

7. Limit values 21 MS have limits 4 have non-binding targets
there remains a problem with regard to the lack of enforcement of national LVs

8. Indicators All MS use the Lden and Lnight when performing noise maps
In some cases still national indicators are used for additional purposes (e.g.: aircraft noise)

9. Common methods
Common methods for Lden and Lnight were adopted, and will enter into force during the 4th round of noise mapping from 2018

10. Completeness of strategic noise maps and action plans
20% of the required noise maps, and around 50% of the action plans for the current five-year reporting cycle, have not yet been reported
Entity
In agglomerations
Outside agglomerations
Road noise
Railway noise
Aircraft noise
Industry noise
Major roads
Major railways
Major airports
Noise maps completed
78%
75%
52%
69%
79%
73%
Action plans completed
49%
47% (average)
41% (average)
43%
[1] By June 2015
[2] 22 out of 28 countries
[3] 19 out of 26 countries – 2 countries did not have any major railways in 2010
[4] By November 2015

11. Completeness of strategic noise maps and action plans
Lack of priority given to the issue when deciding on the allocation of limited human and financial resources
For noise mapping, lack of centralised and consistent input data, lack of effective coordination among the different competent authorities and lack of comparability of the resulting noise maps across jurisdictions
For action-planning, delays caused by delays in noise-mapping (as action plans need to be based on noise maps) and short period given between noise maps and action plans (12 months)

12. Public consultation Although MS claim the public was consulted
NGOs and citizens claim they were not
Or it is unclear how their comments were taken into account

13. Quiet areas Only 13 Member States have quiet areas
Perceived uncertainty whether the process could be reversed in future and also whether a designated quiet area could be subject to legal restrictions
However, where quiet areas have been designated, their number has increased considerably between the first and the second reporting round
MS asked further guidance on designation

14. Legislation at source
Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles
Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1304/2014 on the technical specification for interoperability relating to the subsystem ‘rolling stock - noise’
Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Union airports within a Balanced Approach

15. Legislation at source
Staff Working Document on "Rail freight noise reduction" requiring Member States to draw upon available instruments and financial means as extensively as possible.
The Commission also explored the case for a merger between the Directive 2000/14/EC on Noise from Outdoor Equipment with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, but concluded that they should remain separate

16. Conference on the negative impacts of transport noise on human health
Noise in Europe 2017
Conference on the negative impacts of transport noise on human health
24 April 2017 in Brussels
With the participation of two Commissioners, MEPs, Member States, WHO, EEA, and stakeholders.

17. Conference
Noise Expert Group Members are also invited (2 representatives per MS will be reimbursed)
Please register at:
Short Statements by high ranking officials – which MS is interested?