The link between noise emission data, product safety and noise risk assessments

Despite widespread knowledge about noise-induced hearing loss, many workers globally are still exposed to harmful noise levels. The Sell & Buy Quiet concept can address this issue by tackling noise at its source. The EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC mandates that manufacturers provide noise emission data for their machines to inform users about the associated noise risks. Such information promotes safe use of machines and is vital for product safety. Standardized, comparable noise emission data are also crucial for the success of Sell & Buy Quiet. However, more needs to be done to increase demand for reliable noise emission data and quiet machinery. Reliable noise emission data are required for predicting noise levels in the workspace using sound prediction tools, which can support noise risk assessments and predict the impact of new machines already at a planning stage.