European Union
Workplace noise
A Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise) (2003/10/EC) has been published in the Official Journal. It is the 17th Directive under a Directive introducing measures to encourage improvements in safety and health of workers at work (89/391/EEC). The new Directive lays down limits for exposure to noise in the workplace and attempts to protect workers from risks to health. Exposure limit values and exposure action values are set in respect of daily noise exposure levels and peak sound. Employers are obliged to assess, and if necessary, measure the levels of noise to which workers are exposed. Member States must transpose the Directive before 15 February 2006.
(OJ L 42, 15 February 2003)
Recreational craft
An informal conciliation agreement between the European Parliament and the Council has been reached on a proposal for a Directive modifying Directive 94/25/EC relating to recreational craft. The new Directive will add provisions for noise and exhaust emissions for craft with a hull length of 2.5 to 24 metres. The Council agreed to a parliamentary amendment that would allow all multiple engine installations a 3 decibel allowance over the noise limits. As a result, Parliament agreed to withdraw amendments that would have introduced in-use compliance testing and also accepted the Council’s position that the Commission should first assess the possible benefits of such a system. The Council also accepted Parliament’s requests to exempt steam powered craft from the Directive. Member States have until 30 June 2004 to transpose the Directive into national law with the provisions due to be enforced from 1 January 2005.
(European Commission News Update, 14 March 2003)
For futher information please contact Paul Sheridan on +44 (0)20 7367 2186 or at paul.sheridan@cms-cmck.com
