The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025

• Citation: S.I. 2025/407
• Sections: 7

Section 1 Citation, commencement and extent

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025.

(2) Except for regulation 2(3) and (4), these Regulations come into force on 22nd May 2025.

(3) Regulation 2(3) and (4) comes into force on 29th November 2025.

(4) These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland only.

Section 2 Amendment to the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001

(1) The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2—

(a) in paragraph (1) for the definition of “the Directive” substitute—

“ the Directive ” means Directive 2000/14/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors, as last amended by Directive (EU) 2024/2839 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 1999/2, 2000/14, 2011/24 and 2014/53 as regards certain reporting requirements in the fields of food and food ingredients, outdoor noise, patients’ rights and radio equipment. ;

(b) in paragraph (1A) after sub-paragraph (b) insert—

(bb) to “market surveillance authority” is to be read as a reference to the enforcement authority;

(3) Omit regulation 12.

(4) In regulation 18—

(a) at the end of sub-paragraph (a) insert “or” ; and

(b) omit sub-paragraph (c) and “or” before it.

(5) For Schedule 6 (Annex III to the Directive) substitute the Schedule to these Regulations.

Section 3 Savings and transitional provisions

(1) Notwithstanding the amendment made by regulation 2(5)—

(a) Schedule 6 of the 2001 Regulations, as it has effect prior to the commencement of these Regulations, continues to have effect for the purposes set out in—

(i) the final paragraph of the “Introduction” to Schedule 6 to the 2001 Regulations, as amended by these Regulations; and

(ii) the penultimate and final paragraphs of point 3 of Part A of Schedule 6 to the 2001 Regulations, as amended by these Regulations;

(b) until 22nd May 2028, a notified body and the enforcement authority must accept technical reports of noise measurements performed in accordance with Schedule 6 of the 2001 Regulations, as it has effect prior to the commencement of these Regulations, for the purposes set out in the final paragraph of point 3 of Part A of Schedule 6 to the 2001 Regulations, as amended by these Regulations.

(2) In this regulation—

(a) “the 2001 Regulations” means the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001;

(b) “enforcement authority” has the meaning given to it by regulation 2(2) of the 2001 Regulations; and

(c) “notified body” has the meaning given to it by regulation 2(2) of the 2001 Regulations.

Section 1.1 Fan speed

Any fans fitted to the engine of the equipment or its hydraulic system shall operate during the test. Manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall set the fan speed in accordance with the requirements laid down in points (a) to (d), as applicable, and state that fan speed in the test report and use it in further measurements. Fans shall not operate in reverse mode during tests.

(a) Fan drive directly connected to the engine or its hydraulic system:

A fan drive that is directly connected to the engine or its hydraulic equipment shall operate during the test.

(b) Fan drive with several distinct speeds:

A fan that can work at several distinct speeds shall be tested in either of the following ways:

(i) at its maximum working speed;

(ii) in a first test with the fan set at zero speed, and in a second test with the fan set at maximum speed.

For the purposes of point (ii), the resulting A-weighted surface sound pressure level L pA shall be calculated by combining both test results using the following equation:

where:

L pA,0 % is the A-weighted surface sound pressure level determined with the fan set at zero speed;

L pA,100 % is the A-weighted surface sound pressure level determined with the fan set at maximum speed;

(c) Fan drive with continuous variable speed:

A fan that can work at continuous variable speed shall be tested in accordance with point 1.1(b) or with the fan speed set at no less than 70 % of the maximum speed.

Visco-static fans, which are automatically regulated by the engine temperature, shall be considered to work at continuous variable speed irrespective of the origin of the control;

(d) Equipment with more than one fan:

Where a machine is equipped with more than one fan, all fans shall run under the conditions specified in (a), (b) or (c), as applicable.

Section 1.2 Test of powered equipment free of load

Before measuring the noise emitted by powered equipment free of load, manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall warm up the engine and hydraulic system of the equipment in accordance with the instructions of use and shall observe the safety requirements.

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall measure the noise with the equipment in stationary position, without operating the working equipment or travelling mechanism. For the purpose of the measurement, the engine shall idle at no less than the rated speed corresponding to the net power .

Where the machine is powered by a generator or from the mains, the frequency of the supply current, specified for the motor by the manufacturer, shall be stable at ± 1 Hz if the machine is equipped with an induction motor, and the supply voltage at ± 1 % of the rated voltage if the machine is equipped with a commutator motor. The supply voltage shall be measured at the plug of a non-detachable cable or cord, or at the inlet of the machine if a detachable cable is provided. The waveform of the current supplied from the generator shall be similar to that obtained from the mains.

Where multiple voltage ranges are labelled at the machine, manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall take the measurements at the highest labelled voltage range. If the voltage range is 220-240 V, the test shall be carried out at 230 V.

If the machine is powered by one or more batteries, the batteries shall be charged to at least 70 % of its capacity.

The rated speed used, and the corresponding net power, shall be stated by the manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union in the test report.

Where the equipment has several engines, those engines shall work simultaneously during the measurements, unless that is not possible, in which case the noise emissions of each possible combination of engines shall be measured.

Section 1.3 Test of powered equipment under load

Before measuring the noise emitted by powered equipment under load, manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall warm up the engine (driving device) and hydraulic system of the equipment up in accordance with the instructions of use, and shall observe safety requirements. The manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall not operate a signalling device, such as a warning horn or reversing alarm, during the measurement.

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall record the speed or velocity of the equipment during the measurement and state that speed or velocity in the test report.

Where the equipment is fitted with several engines or aggregates, those engines or aggregates shall work simultaneously during the measurements, unless that is not possible, in which case manufactures shall measure noise of each possible combination of engines or aggregates.

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall lay down specific operating conditions for each type of equipment under load. The specific operating conditions shall, as much as possible, produce effects and stresses similar to those encountered under actual working conditions.

Section 1.4 Test of hand-operated equipment

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the Union shall lay down conventional operating conditions for each type of hand-operated equipment that produce effects and stresses similar to those undergone under actual working conditions.