Manufacturers failing to display noise levels

As many as one in five manufacturers exhibiting at this year's SED were not displaying the appropriate labels to demonstrate compliance with the EU noise level directive, according to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA).

The VCA, which enforces the directive on behalf of the Department of Trade & Industry, said 15% to 20% of manufacturers exhibited kit without labels showing the amount of noise produced. "One company was not even aware of the directive," said enforcement officer Rob Wollacott.

The result was a number of products including breakers, pressure washers and dumpers sporting stickers declaring they would not be placed on the market or put into service until the directive had been complied with.

"However, compliance is a lot better than in previous years," said Wollacott. "Two years ago, only 10% of manufacturers could demonstrate compliance."

Labelling noise emissions has been a legal requirement since January 2002 when the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors (SI2001 1701) law came into effect, enforcing EU Directive 2014 EC.

"This covers 57 items of machinery split into two lists," said Wollacott. "Those on the first list must show they are below an agreed limit, while those on the second list must show the amount of noise they produce."

Wollacott said that some of the manufacturers may not have had labels on their kit because they were exhibiting prototype equipment or testing the market for a new product.

One manufacturer said the absence of stickers from its products was an administrative error in the factory, with machines destined for markets outside the EU - where stickers are not necessary - arriving in the UK.