2. 4. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86/9 
Proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to noise emitted by lawn mowers 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 18 December 1978) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas the technical requirements with which lawn 
mowers must comply under the terms of the national 
laws concern inter alia their noise emission; whereas 
these requirements differ from one Member State to 
another; whereas through their disparities they hamper 
trade within the European Community; 
Whereas these obstacles to the establishment and 
operation of the common market can be reduced or 
even removed if the same requirements are adopted by 
all the Member States in place of their existing laws; 
Whereas the main objective of the provisions of this 
Directive is to ensure the protection of man against 
nuisances due to noise by reducing the inconvenience 
caused by the noises emitted by lawn mowers; 
Whereas it is therefore necessary to determine at 
Community level the permissible upper limits for noise 
emissions from lawn mowers and a common method 
for measuring such emissions; 
Whereas it is necessary to provide for a subsequent 
reduction of the limits laid down; whereas it is therefore 
advisable that the Council adopt by 31 December 1983 
the noise limits which will be permissible from 1 
January 1986; 
Whereas it is desirable to bring to the attention of the 
consumer the acoustic quality of lawn mowers; whereas 
an effective method of informing the consumer is to 
require that each lawn mower should be marked with 
the level of its acoustic force; whereas it is, however, 
pointless to require this mark on lawn mowers which 
are not noisy by construction, such as electric lawn 
mowers with a small cutting-width; Whereas the conformity of lawn mowers with this 
Directive may be presumed by virtue of the certificate of 
conformity issued by the manufacturer or importer 
resident in the Community; whereas the Member States 
must, however, recognize such certificates as conclusive 
evidence, thus ensuring the free movement of lawn 
mowers throughout the Community; 
Whereas, without prejudice to Articles 169 and 170 of 
the Treaty, it is advisable, within the framework of 
cooperation between the competent authorities of the 
Member States, to lay down provisions to help resolve 
disputes of a technical nature regarding the conformity 
of production models with the requirements of this 
Directive; 
Whereas it should be expressly confirmed that those 
concerned must have available to them appropriate 
legal remedies in respect of decisions taken by the 
appropriate national authorities for purposes of 
implementing this Directive; 
Whereas technical progress requires prompt adjustment 
of the technical requirements specified in this Directive; 
whereas, in order to facilitate implementation of the 
measures required for this purpose, a procedure should 
be prescribed for establishing close cooperation between 
the Member States and the Commission within the 
Committee established by Article 12 of Council 
Directive 74/150/EEC of 4 March' 1974 on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to the type-approval of wheeled agricultural or 
forestry tractors (1), 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
1. The purpose of this Directive is to restrict noise 
emissions from powered lawn mowers by specifying 
upper limits and the methods for measuring such 
emissions. 
2. For the purposes of this Directive, 'lawn mower* 
means all motorized equipment specially designed for 
(!) OJ No L 84, 28. 3. 1974, p. 10. 
No C 86/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 4. 79 
the upkeep by cutting, irrespective of the cutting 
technique, of areas under grass used for recreational, 
decorative or domestic purposes. 
3. Agricultural and forestry equipment is excluded 
from this Directive. 
Article 2 
Member States shall take all appropriate measures to 
ensure that lawn mowers as defined in Article 1 may 
not be marketed unless their noise emission levels, as 
measured under the conditions specified in the Annex 
hereto, do not exceed the permissible noise level for the 
cutting width of the appliance as shown in the following 
table: 
Cutting width of 
lawn mower 
L <> 50 cm 
50 < L ^120 cm 
L > 120 cm Permissible noise level 
indB 
(A-weighted, reference lpW) 
103 
106 
111 
Article 3 
The Council, acting on a proposal of the Commission, 
shall by 31 October 1983 decide on a reduction of the 
permissible limits for the noise emission levels specified 
in Article 2, which are to enter into force on 1 January 
1986. 
Article 4 
The compliance of a lawn mower with the requirements 
of this Directive shall be attested on his own 
responsibility, by the manufacturer or importer, being a 
person permanently resident in the Community, in a 
certificate which must accompany the machine. This 
certificate may be reproduced on the directions for use 
or the guarantee voucher. 
Article 5 
1. On every lawn mower there must be affixed, in an 
indelible and durable manner, an inscription showing 
the sound-power level dB (A), referred to 1 pW, 
guaranteed by the manufacturer and determined under 
the conditions provided for in the Annex to this 
Directive and also the serial number. 
2. This inscription is not required on electrically 
powered lawn mowers the cutting width of which is less 
than 30 cm. Article 6 
No Member State may on grounds relating to their 
noise emission levels refuse to permit, prohibit or 
restrict the marketing of lawn mowers which are 
accompanied by the certificate of conformity referred to 
in Article 4 and which bear the inscription referred to in 
Article 5. 
Article 7 
The Member States shall take all necessary measures to 
verify that lawn mowers conform with the requirements 
of this Directive. Such verification shall be confined to 
random samples carried out before marketing. 
Article 8 
If a Member State finds that lawn mowers of a 
particular type do not comply with the requirements of 
this Directive, it shall take the necessary measures to 
ensure that production models conform to the approved 
type. It shall inform the other Member States, within 
one month and stating the grounds therefor, of the 
measures taken, which may extend to a prohibition on 
marketing. If such a prohibition is imposed, this 
information shall also be sent to the Commission. The 
Member States shall take like measures if they are 
informed by another Member State of such failure to 
conform. 
Article 9 
If a Member State disputes the failure to conform 
notified to it, the Member States concerned shall 
endeavour to settle the dispute. The Commission shall 
be kept informed and shall, where necessary, hold 
appropriate consultations for the purpose of reaching a 
settlement. 
Article 10 
Any decision under the provisions adopted pursuant to 
this Directive prohibiting a ban on marketing or 
utilization shall state the precise reasons therefor. It 
shall be communicated to the party concerned, together 
with particulars of the legal remedies open to him under 
the law in force in the Member States and of the time 
limits on such remedies. 
Article 11 
Any amendments which are necessary in order to adapt 
the Annex to this Directive to technical progress shall be 
2. 4. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86/11 
adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in 2. As soon as this Directive has been notified, the 
Article 13 of Council Directive 74/150/EEC. Member States shall ensure that the Commission is 
informed, in sufficient time for it to submit its 
comments, of any draft laws, regulations or 
Article 12 administrative provisions which they intend to adopt in 
the field covered by this Directive. 
1. The Member States shall adopt and publish the 
provisions necessary to comply with this Directive 
before 1 October 1980 and shall immediately inform Article 13 
the Commission thereof. They shall implement these 
provisions with effect from 1 October 1981. This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
ANNEX 
METHOD OF DETERMINING NOISE EMITTED BY LAWN MOWERS 
1. OBJECT 
This method of measurement is intended to determine the A-weighted sound power level of a lawn 
mower with a view to ensuring its conformity with the regulations (limit level LWAL, level indicated). 
2. DEFINITIONS 
2.1. Sound pressure level LPA 
The sound pressure level LPAIS obtained by applying the weighting A to the sound pressure level Lp. 
The sound pressure level Lp expressed in dB, of a noise is defined by 
P Lp = 20log10 ; 
Po 
where p is the effective sound pressure value measured at a particular point, expressed in Pa, 
p0 is the effective reference sound pressure, equal to 20// Pa. 
The value LPA of the A-weighted sound pressure level, expressed in dB, is obtained by applying the 
weighting A to the measuring system. 
2.2. Measuring surface 
The measuring surface of area S is a hypothetical surface surrounding the sound source and on which 
the measuring points are arranged (see 6.4). 
23. Surface sound pressure level LpAm 
The surface sound pressure level LpAmis the root mean square of the sound pressures recorded on the 
measuring surface, calculated in accordance with the method set out in 8.4. 
2.4. Sound power level LWA 
The sound power level LWA is obtained by applying the weighting A to the sound power level w. 
No C 86/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 4. 79 
The sound power level Lw, expressed in dB, of a sound source is defined by: 
W Lw = 101og10—; 
where W is the total sound power generated by the sound source, expressed in watts, 
Wo is the reference sound power, equal to 10 ~12W. 
The value L^A of the A-weighted sound power level, expressed in dB, is obtained by applying the 
weighting A to the measuring system. 
2.5. Limit value of the sound power level LWAI 
The limit for sound power level L^A. expressed in A-weighted dB is designated by LWAI. 
2.6. Background noise 
Background noise means any noise recorded at the measuring points which is not generated by the 
sound source. 
3. MEASURING INSTRUMENTS 
3.1. General 
The instruments must be designed to measure the A-weighted level of the root mean square of the sound 
pressure. The level of the root mean square value in time for a measurement point is obtained either by 
direct reading of the instrument, or by calculation in accordance with section 11. 
3.2. Measuring instruments „ 
The following instruments may be used to satisfy the preceding requirement: 
(a) a sound level meter meeting the requirements of 1EC publication 179, 1973, second edition. The 
meter shall be set at 'slow' response; 
(b) an integrator effecting analog or digital integration of the squared signal over a given time interval. 
Note: 
If, for any measurement, instruments other than a precision sound level meter or combinations of 
instruments, such as integrators, ars used, all the specifications of such instruments must comply with 
the relevant requirements of IEC publication 179, 1973, second edition. 
3.3. Microphone with cable 
Use shall be made of a microphone with cable complying with IEC publication 179, 1973, second 
edition, and calibrated for free-field measurement. 
3.4. Weighting network 
Use shall be made of an A-weighting network meeting the requirements of IEC publication 179, 1973, 
second edition. 
3.5. Inspection of the measuring apparatus 
3.5.1. Before the tests, the acoustic properties of the entire apparatus (measuring instruments including 
microphone and cable) must be checked by means of a calibrated sound source with an accuracy of at 
least 0-5 dB (e.g. a pistonphone); the apparatus shall be checked again immediately after each series of 
measurements. 
3.5.2. These on-the-spot checks shall be supplemented by more thorough calibrations to be carried out 
at least once a year in a specially equipped laboratory. 
2. 4. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86/13 
4. MEASURING CONDITIONS 
4.1. General 
The lawn mower to be tested shall be equipped with such interchangeable attachments and devices as 
produce the maximum noise level. If the collecting device is attached to the mower it must be empty. 
The cutting device shall be adjusted to a height of 0-06 m from the ground. The artificial turf shall be of 
such a height that it is not cut. 
Rotary cylinder mowers are to have their cylinder/fixed blade gap adjusted in accordance with the 
manufacturer's instructions and such that they can cut a standardized sheet of paper of 80 g/m2 weight 
(Kraft paper ISO/R66). 
The rotary blades must be lubricated before and during the measurements. 
4.2. Operation of the lawn mower 
Before the sound measurements the lawn mower must have operated for at least two hours at its 
maximum speed, and during the sound measurements the mower must operate at a constant speed. 
The sound measurements shall be carried out with the mower stationary if the self-propelling 
mechanism can be disengaged while allowing the cutter to be actuated. If this is not possible the 
measurements shall be carried out with the lawn mower in motion. 
During the sound measurements the engine and the cutter must operate at their maximum speed 
(controls against the stop). The speed of travel shall be limited to a maximum of 8 km/h with the 
controls set to the maximum speed of the engine and the maximum speed of rotation (or traverse) of the 
cutter. The operator shall only accompany the lawn mower when measurements are carried out with 
this in motion. 
4.2.1. Lawn mowers with internal combustion engine 
The engine oil used for operating the mower during the measurements shall be as specified by the 
manufacturer. 
The fuel tank must not be more than half full. 
4.2.2. Lawn mowers with electric motor 
The input voltage for the motor must be kept constant with a tolerance of 2 %. 
If more than one input voltage is provided for, the lawn mower shall be tested at the distributed mains 
voltage closest to the maximum value specified. 
5. MEASURING SITE 
The lawn mower shall be placed on unyielding, flat ground having the following acoustic properties: 
Absorption coefficient Average frequency 
x < 006 125 
0-007< x < 0-12 250 
0-15 ^ x < 0-27 500 
0'28 < x < 0-34 1 000 
0-38 < x < 047 2 000 
,0-40 < x.<()-62 4 000 
determined in accordance with ISO recommendation R354. 
The vicinity of the measuring site shall be free of sound-reflecting obstacles which might influence the 
results measured. 
6. MEASURING SURFACE, LOCATION AND NUMBER OF MEASURING POINTS 
6.1. Measuring surface 
The measuring surface shall be a hypothetical hemisphere surrounding the grass-cutting machine; it 
shall be delimited by the ground on which the mower stands. 
No C 86/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 4. 79 
If none of the dimensions (length, width, height) of the grass-cutting machine exceeds 1-5 m, the radius 
of the hemisphere shall be 4 m. 
In the case of machines with greater dimensions, the radius shall be 10 m. 
6.2. Location and number of measuring points 
6.2.1. Mower tested when stationary 
Where possible, the origin of the system of measuring-point coordinates shall coincide with the 
projection on to the test area of the geometrical centre of the sound source. 
The measuring points on the hemisphere shall be: 
— in the case of a hemisphere with a radius of 4 m, the five points, 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, the coordinates of 
which are shown in Table I; 
— in the case of a hemisphere with a radius of 10 m, the eight points 1—8, the coordinates of which 
are shown in Table I. 
TABLE I 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 X/R 
0-7 
— 0-7 
— 0-7 
0-7 
0-65 
— 0-27 
— 0-65 
0-27 
0 Y/R 
0-7 
0-7 
— 0-7 
— 0-7 
0-27 
0-65 
— 0-27 
— 0-65 
0 2/R 
— 
— 
— 
0-71 
0-71 
0-71 
0-71 
1 z 
1-5 
1-5 t 
1-5 
1-5 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
6.2.2. Lawn mowers tested when in motion 
The axis of movement of the lawn mower is as shown in Figure 1. 
The measuring points are located on a hemisphere with a 10 m radius. The coordinates of the 
measuring points are shown in Table I, point 9 being omitted. 
7. MEASUREMENT 
7.1. Measurement of the acoustic properties of the measuring site 
The environmental conditions at the measuring site shall be checked before measurements are carried 
out. The following factors shall be checked: 
(a) background noise; 
(b) wind interference; 
(c) operating conditions: such as vibrations, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure. 
7.1.1. Measurement of background noise 
This background noise shall be recorded at the measuring points with the motor of the lawn mower 
switched off (no sound emission). 
7.1.2. Wind speed and direction 
The wind speed and direction are established at a point above the test area. Account must be taken of 
the provisions laid down in 8.5.3. 
7.1.3. Measurement of temperature, humidity, barometric pressure and other disturbances 
Only disturbances likely to have a bearing on the acoustic measurements need be measured (see 8.5.2). 
7.2. Measurement of the sound pressure level LpA 
To measure the sound pressure level LpA, use shall be made of an instrument as defined in 3.2. 
2. 4. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86/15 
7.2.1. Measurements with the mower stationary 
The sound pressure level LpA at a given measuring point is the root mean square value in time of the 
sound pressures. If a sound level meter is used, a number of readings shall be taken at this point and 
their mean value in time calculated in accordance with section 11. 
In principle, the measuring time at each measuring point shall be 15 seconds. If an integrator is used, 
the integrating time shall be equal to the measuring time. 
7.2.2. Measurements with the mower in motion 
The sound pressure level LpA at a given measuring point shall correspond to the level recorded when the 
lawn mower passes through the centre of the hemisphere. 
8. USE OF RESULTS 
8.1. Calculation of root mean square values 
The level corresponding to the root mean square in space of the sound pressures at all the measuring 
points shall be calculated from the LpA values. 
8.2. Average level of background noise 
The average level of background noise is equal to that recorded at a measuring point. 
8.3. Calculation of sound pressure level at surface LpAm 
The sound pressure level at the surface shall be calculated in accordance with section 8.1 and corrected 
as indicated in sections 8.5.1, 8.5.2 and 8.5.3.' 
8.4. Calculation of the sound power level LWA 
The sound power level LWA of the lawn mower shall be calculated by means of the following relation: 
S 
LWA = LpAm + 101°glO "^ 
where 
LWA = sound power level of the lawn mower expressed in dB, 
LpAm = sound pressure level at surface expressed in dB, 
S = area of measuring surface in m2, 
S0 = reference area of 1 m2. 
Note: 
S 
Where r = 4 m, 10 log10 =20 dB. 
S 
Where r = 10 m, 10 log10 — = 28 dB, 
8.5. Corrections to be made to measurements 
8.5.1. Background noise 
The average sound pressure level over the measuring surface (8.1) must be corrected, if necessary, to 
take account of the background noise (8.2). The correction Ku in dB, which must be subtracted from 
the average sound pressure level over the measuring surface is given in Table II. 
No C 86/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 4. 79 
TABLE II 
Difference (in dB) between the sound pressure level 
calculated when the sound source is operating and the 
sound pressure level due to extraneous noise alone 
less than 6 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
more than 10 Correction Kt in dB 
no valid measurement 
10 
1-0 
1-0 
0-5 
0-5 
no correction 
8.5.2. Disturbances: temperature, humidity, altitude of site, etc. 
— Measuring apparatus: 
The manufacturer's instructions should be followed in order to take account of any effects of all the 
disturbances mentioned by him, such as temperature, barometric pressure, humidity. 
8.5.3. Wind interference 
The maximum permissible wind speed is 8 m/sec. 
Above the wind speed indicated by the manufacturer, microphones must be equipped with a 
windscreen. Any corrections to be made to the calculations referred to in 8.1 are indicated by the 
windscreen manufacturer. 
9. DATA TO BE RECORDED 
In principle, the following information shall be compiled and recorded in a report concerning all 
measurements made in accordance with the specifications for this method of measurement. 
9.1. Sound source under test 
(a) description of the sound source under test (including dimensions); 
(b) operating conditions of the sound source during the tests; 
(c) conditions for installation on the test area; 
(d) location of sound source on measuring site. 
9.2. Acoustic environment 
(a) description of the measuring site, including physical characteristics of the test area; diagram 
showing the location of the sound source and any reflecting objects on the measuring site; 
(b) meteorological conditions: weather (sunshine, cloud, rain, fog ...), air temperature, barometric 
pressure, wind speed and direction, humidity. 
9.3. Instrumentation 
(a) equipment used for the measurements, including the name of the equipment, type, serial number 
and name of manufacturer; 
(b) method used to calibrate the measuring equipment in accordance with 3.5.1; 
(c) name of laboratory which carried out the calibration required in 3.5.2; 
(d) date of last calibration. 
9.4. Acoustic data 
(a) dimensions of measuring surface, location of microphones. Numbers of measuring points and wind 
direction must be indicated in the diagram required under 9.2 (a); 
S 
(b) area S of measuring surface in m2 and value of 10 log10 "r— ; 
(c) sound pressure levels recorded at measuring points (see 7.2.4); 
2. 4. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 86/17 
(d) average sound pressure level over measuring surface (see 8.1); 
(e) any dB corrections (see 8.5.1, 8.5.2 and 8.5.3); 
(f) surface sound pressure level LpAm(see 8.3); 
(g) sound power level (see 8.4); 
'(h) date and time of measurements. 
10. DATA TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT LAID DOWN IN SECTION 9 
The report shall state clearly that the sound power levels were obtained in full compliance with this 
measuring method. It shall specify that these sound power levels are given in A-weighted dB, reference 
lpW. 
11. METHOD OF CALCULATING THE AVERAGE LEVEL CORRESPONDING TO THE ROOT 
MEAN SQUARE VALUE OF THE VARIOUS SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS 
The root mean square value of the various sound pressure levels resulting either from a series of 
measurements made at a single point (root mean square in time) or from a series of measurements made 
at different points on the measuring surface (root mean square in space) can be determined by the 
following formula: i _ n 
LpAm = LPAo + 10 lQglO "£- ^> Si 
where LpAi equals the sound pressure level of the i-th measurement, 
LpAo is an auxiliary sound pressure level to simplify the calculation (for example, the smallest 
of the L pAi values), 
gj is the auxiliary variable for the i-th measurement: ' — \ pAi pAcJ, 
gm is the mean value of the g; variables: ±Z> 
The quantity ^L is defined by: 
jL = LpAi — LpAo 
Table HI gives the values of g for different values of ^ L. 
TABLE III 
JL 
dB 
— 100 
— 9-5 
— 90 
— 8-5 
— 8-0 
— 7-5 -
— 7-0 
— 6-5 
— 6-0 
— 5-5 
— 5-0 
— 4-5 
— 4-0 
— 3-5 
— 3-0 
— 2-5 
— 2-0 
— 1-5 
— 1-0 
— 0-5 
— 0-0 8 
0100 
0112 
0-125 
0140 
0160 
0180 
0-200 
0-224 
0-250 
0-280 
0-315 
0-355 
0-400 
0-450 
0-500 
0-560 
0-630 
0-710 
0-800 
0-900 
1000 JL 
dB 
00 
0-5 
1-0 
1-5 
2-0 
2-5 
3-0 
3-5 
4-0 
4-5 
5-0 
5-5 
6-0 
6-5 
7-0 
7-5 
80 
8-5 
90 
9-5 
100 S 
100 
112 
1-25 
1-40 
1-60 
1-80 
2-00 
2-24 
2-50 
2-80 
3-15 
3-55 
4-00 
4-5.0 
5-00 
5-60 
6-30 
7-10 
8-00 
900 
10-00 <dL 
dB 
10-0 
10-5 
110 
11-5 
12-0 
12-5 
13-0 
13-5 
140 
14-5 
150 
15-5 
160 
16-5 
17-0 
17-5 
18-0 
18-5 
190 
19-5 
20-0 10-0 
11-2 
12-5 
14-0 
16-0 
180 
20-0 
22-4 
25-0 
28-0 
31-5 
35-5 
40-0 
45-0 
50-0 
560 
63 0 
71-0 
80-0 
90-0 
1000 
No C 86/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 4. 79 
Figure 1 
Position of measuring points and axis of movement