Regulation 2014/540 - Sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems - Main contents

Summary of Legislation
Legislative text

1. Summary of Legislation

Curbing the sound levels of motor vehicles

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

The regulation aims to cut major sources of noise caused by motor vehicles.

KEY POINTS

This regulation aims to improve environmental protection and public safety and to ensure a better quality of life and health for people in the EU by reducing major sources of noise caused by motor vehicles.

It does so by setting out the administrative and technical requirements for the EU approval of all new vehicles of certain categories (referred to in Article 2 of and Annex II to Directive 2007/46/EC) with regard to their sound level and for the EU approval of replacement silencing systems and related components.

The EU approval is called ‘type-approval’ and is the procedure referred to in Article 3 of Directive 2007/46/EC with regard to sound levels.

The regulation sets noise-limit values for the different vehicle categories and a timeframe for implementation.

It lays out rules on labelling and consumer information, and the development of acoustic alert systems. Noise limit values are maximum levels of sound measured in decibels and are listed in Annex III.

Labelling and consumer information

As per Article 7 of the regulation, vehicle manufacturers and distributors will try to ensure that the sound level of each vehicle in decibels is displayed in a prominent position at the point of sale and in technical promotional material.

Acoustic systems for electric vehicles

Vehicles will need to be equipped in the coming years with acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) to compensate for the lack of audible signals in electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The aim here is to increase the awareness of road users and, in particular, of blind and visually impaired pedestrians and cyclists.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 July 2016.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

-

Reducing noise in the automotive industry (European Commission)

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directive 70/157/EEC (OJ L 158, 27.5.2014, pp. 131-195)

Successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated version is for reference purpose only.

Contents

1.

Summary of Legislation

2.

Legislative text