Eight types of plant set for reprieve by EC

The European Commission (EC) is proposing that eight types of plant equipment should be exempt from a European Union (EU) noise directive that would have forced them to be scrapped if they did not meet its stringent rules.

The directive 2000/14/EC initially names 22 types of plant equipment that must comply with maximum permissible sound levels – one imposed in January 2002, and another due to be implemented next year.

However, the Working Group on Outdoor Equipment has advised the EU that eight items of machinery cannot meet the second Stage II noise standard by the legal deadline of 1 January 2006 without causing serious production headaches. 

The Commission has proposed the following plant need not comply for the time being: tracked dozers; wheel loaders less than 55 kW; screed pavers; screed finishers; vibratory plates; vibratory rammers; pedestrian vibratory rollers; forklifts, and hand-held concrete breakers.

Rob Caddy sales director for Belle - a manufacturer of vibratory plates, rammers and finishers - said any delay would be beneficial to his company and the industry in general.

“There are certain issues with some items of machinery, but we’ll continue to make sure our equipment is compliant unless we’re told otherwise,” he said.

According to an EC spokesman, the current compulsory noise limits will be converted to advisory goals, until such time industry and government experts agree compliance is technically possible.

“The Stage II limits for the list of equipment covered by the proposed amendment are not feasible. Severe disruption to the equipment market would result if the limits were not delayed,” he said.