WRITTEN QUESTION E-3776/00 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Noise levels of motor vehicles.
Date: 2000-12-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, approval, database, motor vehicle, noise level, statistical method, testing

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/211

(2001/C 163 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3772/00

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Law reform in Russia

Recent reports show that approximately 99,6 % of people brought before the courts in Russia are found
guilty and that half of the 0,4 % not guilty verdicts are reversed on appeal.

Given this statistic and the crisis facing the Russian prison system, can the Commission explain what it
intends to do to promote law reform in Russia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2001)

The establishment of the rule of law is a priority in the dialogue the Commission(cid:146)s dialogue with the
Russian Federation. Consolidation of democracy and the rule of
law are key features of both the
partnership and cooperation agreement and the EU(cid:146)s common strategy on Russia. The Commission is
supporting the training of Russian judges under the European initiative for human rights and democracy,
particularly in the framework of the joint programmes with the Council of Europe.

More widely, on reform of the judicial system, discussions are under way with the Russian authorities to
develop a large project next year under the technical assistance programme Tacis. In the meantime, the
Tacis Core programme 2000, agreed in June 2000, will promote the role of non-government organisations
(NGOs) and their interactions with courts, on issues such as protection of individual and minority rights,
and media freedom. Moreover, under the Tacis policy advice programme, support is to be provided to the
human rights ombudsman Institution, as well as for the development of non-custodial measures in Russia.

(2001/C 163 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3776/00

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Noise levels of motor vehicles

Directives 70/157/EEC (1), 78/1015/EEC (2) and 97/24/EEC (3) set a series of noise limits that type-approved
motor vehicles must not exceed. These fixed levels are based on use of the (cid:145)dynamic(cid:146) testing method, which
is carried out when the vehicle is in motion. The use of this method makes it difficult for the bodies
responsible for monitoring the noise levels of vehicles, (in Spain the local police and centres for the
including asphalt, an area
technical
without reflective surfaces (buildings), enough space to enable the vehicle to be driven at considerable
speed, etc. Practically all of the bodies responsible for monitoring vehicle noise levels lack these facilities.

inspection of vehicles), since very specific facilities are required,

the directives mentioned above also refer to an alternative way of measuring noise,

the
However,
stationary method, which is carried out when the vehicle is not moving. This is a much simpler and
more practical method (it can be carried out on the spot) and, under the right conditions, can be carried
out by any person with the necessary equipment. The difficulty lies in that for this method, the texts do
not state the maximum limits, although they do state that the levels set out in vehicles(cid:146) type-approval
documents must not be exceeded.

C 163 E/212

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

The problem is that the persons responsible for checking the noise level of vehicles do not have access to
the type-approval documents and thus to the noise levels contained therein to enable them to use the
stationary method. The lack of
information concerning the stationary method, combined with the
obstacles to use of the dynamic method means that there is no monitoring of the levels of noise emitted
by vehicles.

In view of the fact that the main source of urban noise is traffic, and that certain vehicles which are
extremely noisy, but which are difficult to monitor for the reasons stated above, have an obvious impact
on the level of urban noise, will the Commission state the admissible noise levels for the stationary
method?

Is there a database containing noise levels measured using the stationary method, figures which should
appear in vehicles(cid:146) type-approval documents? Does the Commission intend to make available this kind of
information, in accordance with the principle of the maximum level of transparency and of the right to
information of EU citizens?

(1) OJ L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 16.
(2) OJ L 349, 13.12.1978, p. 21.
(3) OJ L 226, 18.8.1997, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(26 January 2001)

European Directives concerning the limitation of noise from road vehicles comprise two testing methods,
namely a dynamic (cid:145)full throttle(cid:146) test and a stationary test. Limit values in terms of dB(A) are associated with
the dynamic test method in order to ensure that new vehicles appearing on the road have an acceptable
noise level. In this respect, the Commission is of the opinion that the control of the noise levels of new
vehicles is adequately covered by the dynamic testing method.

The stationary method is indeed intended to enable subsequent checks on vehicles in use, by comparing
the measured value in use with the result of the stationary test during type-approval. The results of the
stationary test are included in the type approval documents. These type approval documents are
distributed to all Member States by the Member State issuing the Community type approval. On the
basis of this information, each Member State has the opportunity to set up a database of noise levels of all
marketed vehicles for the purpose of checks in use. Some Member States have already put in place such a
database, which is indeed a very useful tool for enforcing acceptable noise levels on the road. Additionally,
since the entering into force of Council Directive 92/53/EEC of 18 June 1992 amending Directive 70/156/
EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor
vehicles and their trailers (1) (cid:129) for passenger cars and heavy duty vehicles (cid:129) and Council Directive 92/61/
EEC of 30 June 1992 relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor vehicles (cid:129) for two- and
three-wheelers (cid:129) the result of the stationary test is also included in the certificate of conformity that
accompanies each vehicle. With this information, law enforcement authorities of the Member States that
require these certificates to be kept in the vehicle, have the necessary information readily available in order
to fully assess in use noise requirements.

(1) OJ L 225, 10.8.1992.

(2001/C 163 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3804/00

by Raina Echerer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Interpretation of Article 5(3) of Regulation 615/98/EC

(29 November 2000)

The first sentence of Article 5(3) of Regulation 615/98/EC (1) reads as follows: (cid:145)The export refund shall not
be paid for animals which died during transport or for animals for which the competent authority
considers, in the light of the documents referred to in paragraph 2, the reports on the checks referred to in