Document ID: 31970L0157

Reference:
EUR-Lex - 31970L0157 - EN
Avis juridique important
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31970L0157
Council Directive 70/157/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles
Official Journal L 042 , 23/02/1970 P. 0016 - 0020 Finnish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 1 P. 0117  Danish special edition: Series I Chapter 1970(I) P. 0095  Swedish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 1 P. 0117  English special edition: Series I Chapter 1970(I) P. 0111  - 0116 Greek special edition: Chapter 13 Volume 1 P. 0061  Spanish special edition: Chapter 13 Volume 1 P. 0189  Portuguese special edition Chapter 13 Volume 1 P. 0189
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE  of 6 February 1970  on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles  (70/157/EEC)  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 (1);  Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2);  Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy pursuant to national laws relate, inter alia, to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system;  Whereas those requirements differ from one Member State to another ; whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the same requirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules, in order, in particular, to allow the EEC type approval procedure which was the subject of the Council Directive (3) of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type approval of motor vehicles and their trailers to be applied in respect of each type of vehicle;  HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:    Article 1 For the purposes of this Directive, "vehicle" means any motor vehicle intended for use on the road, with or without bodywork, having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 kilometres per hour, with the exception of vehicles which run on rails, agricultural tractors and machinery and public works vehicles.   Article 2 No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type approval or national type approval of a vehicle on grounds relating to the permissible sound level or the exhaust system if its sound level and exhaust system satisfy the requirements set out in the Annex.   Article 3 The amendments necessary for adjusting the requirements of the Annex so as to take account of technical progress, with the exception of the requirements set out under items 1.1 and 1.4.1.4, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of the Council Directive on the type approval of motor vehicles and their trailers.   Article 4 1. Member States shall put into force the provisions containing the requirements needed in order to comply with this Directive within eighteen months of its notification and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.  2. Member States shall ensure that the texts of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive are communicated to the Commission.   Article 5 This Directive is addressed to the Member States.     Done at Brussels, 6 February 1970.  For the Council  The President  P. HARMEL  (1)OJ No C 160, 18.12.1969, p. 7. (2)OJ No C 48, 16.4.1969, p. 16. (3)OJ No L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1.   ANNEX   I. PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVELS  I.1. Limits  The sound level of the vehicles referred to in Article 1 of this Directive, when measured under the conditions set out in this Annex, may not exceed the following levels: >PIC FILE= "T0002112">   I.2. Measuring instruments  The noise emitted by vehicles shall be measured by means of a sound-level meter of the type described in Publications 179,1st edition (1965), of the International Electrotechnical Commission.  I.3. Conditions of measurement  Measurements shall be made on unladen vehicles in a sufficiently silent and open area (ambient noise and wind noise at least 10 dB (A) below the noise being measured).  That area may take the form, for instance, of an open space of 50-metre radius having a central part of at least 20-metre radius which is practically level, surfaced with concrete, asphalt or similar material, and not covered with powdery snow, tall grass, loose soil or ashes.  The surface of the test track shall be such as not to cause excessive tyre noise. This condition applies only to measurement of the noise made by vehicles in motion.  Measurement shall be carried out in fine weather with little wind. No person other than the observer taking the readings from the apparatus may remain near the vehicle or the microphone, as the presence of spectators near either the vehicle or the microphone may considerably affect the readings from the apparatus. Marked fluctuations of the pointer which appear to be unrelated to the characteristics of the general sound level shall be ignored in taking readings.  I.4. Method of measurement  I.4.1. Measurement of noise of vehicles in motion (for type approval)  At least two measurements shall be made on each side of the vehicle. Preliminary measurements may be made for adjustment purposes but shall be disregarded.   The microphone shall be situated 1.2 metres above ground level at a distance of 7.5 metres from the path of the vehicle's centre line, CC, measured along the perpendicular PP" to that line (Figure 1).  Two lines AA" and BB", parallel to line PP" and situated respectively 10 metres forward and 10 metres rearward of that line, shall be marked out on the test track. Vehicles shall approach line AA" at a steady speed, as specified below. The throttle shall then be fully-opened as rapidly as practicable and held in the fully-opened position until the rear of the vehicle (1) crosses line BB" ; the throttle shall then be closed again as rapidly as possible.  The maximum sound level recorded shall constitute the result of the measurement.  I.4.1.1. Vehicles with no gearbox  The vehicle shall approach line AA" at a steady speed corresponding to the lowest of the three following speeds:    - an engine speed equal to three-quarters of the engine speed at which the engine develops its maximum power;       - an engine speed equal to three-quarters of the maximum engine speed permitted by the governor;       - 50 kilometres per hour.    I.4.1.2. Vehicles with a manually operated gearbox  I.4.1.2.1.- The second gear in the gearbox must be engaged if the vehicle is fitted with a two-speed, three-speed or four-speed gearbox;  I.4.1.2.2.- The third gear in the gearbox must be engaged if the box has more than four gears;  I.4.1.2.2.- if the transmission has a double gear ratio (transfer gearbox or two-speed rear axle assembly), the gearbox must be engaged in the ratio allowing the highest vehicle speed.  The vehicle shall approach line AA" at a steady speed corresponding to the lowest of the following three speeds:    - an engine speed equal to three-quarters of the engine speed at which the engine develops its maximum power;       - an engine speed equal to three-quarters of the maximum engine speed permitted by the governor;       - 50 kilometres per hour.    I.4.1.3. Vehicles with an automatic gearbox  The vehicle shall approach line AA" at a steady speed equal to the lowest of the following two speeds:    - 50 kilometres per hour;       - three quarters of the maximum speed.    Where there is a choice, the "normal" selector position for town driving is to be used.  I.4.1.4. Interpretation of results  I.4.1.4.1. To take account of inaccuracies in the measuring instruments, the result obtained from each measurement shall be determined by deducting 1 dB (A) from the meter reading.  I.4.1.4.2. The measurements shall be considered valid if the difference between two consecutive measurements on the same side of the vehicle does not exceed 2 dB (A).  (1)If the vehicle includes a trailer or semi-trailer, these shall not be taken into account in determining when line BB" is crossed.   I.4.1.4.3. The highest sound level measured shall constitute the test result. Should that result exceed by 1 dB (A) the maximum permissible sound level for the category of vehicle tested, two further measurements shall be made. Three of the four measurements thus obtained must fall within the prescribed limits.  >PIC FILE= "T0002113">   I.4.2. Measurement of noise of stationary vehicles  I.4.2.1. Position of sound-level meter  Measurements shall be made at point X (shown in Figure 2) at a distance of 7 metres from the nearest surface of the vehicle.  The microphone shall be situated 1.2 metres above ground level.  I.4.2.2. Number of measurements  At least two measurements shall be made.   I.4.2.3. Vehicle test conditions  The engine of a vehicle without a speed governor shall be run at three-quarters of the rpm speed at which, according to the vehicle manufacturer, it develops its maximum power. The rpm speed of the engine shall be measured by means of an independent instrument, e.g. a roller bed and a tachometer. If the engine is fitted with a governor preventing the engine from exceeding the speed at which it develops its maximum power, it shall be run at the maximum speed permitted by the governor.  Before taking any measurements, the engine shall be brought to its normal running temperature.  I.4.2.4. Interpretation of results  All sound-level readings recorded shall be given in the report.  The method used to calculate the engine power shall also be shown, where possible. The state of loading of the vehicle must also be given.  The measurements shall be considered valid if the difference between two consecutive measurements on the same side of the vehicle does not exceed 2 dB (A).  The maximum figure recorded shall constitute the result of the measurement.  >PIC FILE= "T0002114">   II. EXHAUST SYSTEM (SILENCER)   II.1. If the vehicle is fitted with a device designed to reduce the exhaust noise (silencer), the requirements of item II shall apply. If the inlet of the engine is fitted with an air filter which is necessary in order to ensure compliance with the permissible sound level, the filter shall be considered to be part of the silencer, and the requirements of item II shall also apply to that filter.   II.2. A drawing of the exhaust system shall be annexed to the vehicle type approval certificate.  II.3. The silencer must be marked with a reference to its make and type which is clearly legible and indelible.  II.4. The use of fibrous absorbent material is permitted in the construction of silencers only if the following conditions are fulfilled:  II.4.1. The fibrous absorbent material may not be placed in those parts of the silencer through which the gases pass.  II.4.2. Suitable devices must ensure that the fibrous absorbent material is kept in place for the whole time that the silencer is being used.  II.4.3. The fibrous absorbent material must be resistent to a temperature at least 20 % higher than the operating temperature which may occur in the region of the silencer where these fibrous absorbent materials are situated.

Summary:
Motor vehicles with trailers: permissible sound level
Motor vehicles with trailers: permissible sound level
The aim of this directive is to implement European Union regulations relating to vehicle noise based on complete harmonisation.
ACT
Council Directive 70/157/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles [Official Journal L 42 of 23.02.1970].
SUMMARY
The Directives apply to any motor vehicle intended for use on the road, with or without bodywork, having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h, with the exception of vehicles that run on rails, agricultural and forestry tractors and all mobile machinery.
The Directives lay down limits for the noise level of the mechanical parts and exhaust systems of the vehicles concerned. The limits range from 74 dB(A) for motor cars to 80 dB(A) for high-powered goods vehicles.
Permissible values are drawn up for specific categories of vehicles:
cars;
public transport vehicles;
goods vehicles.
Member States are required to publish noise level values for type-approval by 1 October 1994.
Hence Member States may not, for reasons relating to the permissible sound level and exhaust system:
refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, placing on the market or use of vehicles which comply with the provisions of the Directive;
prohibit the placing on the market of an exhaust system or technical unit if they correspond to a type in respect of which type-approval has been granted.
Tax incentives granted by Member States to encourage new limits to be met in advance may be authorised if they are:
non-discriminatory;
for a limited period;
of an amount which is significantly lower than the cost of the equipment fitted;
applied to vehicles fitted with equipment which enables future European standards to be met in advance.
Type-approval procedure for each type of vehicle, exhaust system and technical unit (silencer and replacement exhaust system):
the application for EEC type-approval shall be submitted by the manufacturer or his authorized representative;
it shall contain the information required by the existing Directives;
different type-approval tests shall be provided for;
where the type of vehicle, exhaust system or technical unit meets the test requirements, an EEC type-approval certificate shall be issued by the competent authority of the Member State in question.
This Directive has been repealed by Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 with effect from 30.6.2027.
REFERENCES
Act
Entry into force
Deadline for transposition in the Member States
Official Journal
Directive 70/157/EEC
10.2.1970
10.8.1971 - 1.7.1973
OJ L 42 of 23.2.1970
Amending acts
Entry into force
Deadline for transposition in the Member States
Official Journal
Directive 73/350/EEC
16.11.1973
-
OJ L 321 of 22.11.1973
Directive 77/212/EEC
10.3.1977
31.3.1977
OJ L 66 of 12.3.1977
Directive 81/334/EEC
28.4.1981
31.12.1981
OJ L 131 of 18.5.1981
Directive 84/372/EEC
5.7.1984
30.9.1984
OJ L 196 of 26.7.1984
Directive 84/424/EEC
4.9.1984
31.12.1984
OJ L 238 of 6.9.1984
Directive 87/354/EEC
29.6.1987
31.12.1987
OJ L 192 of 11.7.1987
Directive 89/491/EEC
25.7.1989
1.1.1990
OJ L 238 of 15.8.1989
Directive 92/97/EEC
16.11.1992
30.6.1993
OJ L 371 of 19.12.1992
Directive 96/20/EEC
3.5.1996
30.9.1996
OJ L 92 of 13.4.1996
Directive 99/101/EC
17.1.2000
31.3.2000
OJ L 334 of 28.12.1999
Directive2007/34/EC
5.7.2007
5.7.2007
OJ L 155 of 15.6.2007
Directive 2013/15/EU
1.7.2013
1.7.2013
OJ L 158 of 10.06.2013.
RELATED ACT
Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directive 70/157/EEC [Official Journal L 158 of 27.5.2014].
Last updated: 02.07.2014