Noise test codes for machinery families in relation to measurement uncertainty: European and International perspective

The measurement of noise emission from machinery, of which measurement uncertainty is a crucial aspect, has been an issue for regional and international standardization for many years. In Europe, the interest in noise emission has resulted mostly from European regulations. These regulations have required manufacturers to design machines and equipment with the lowest possible noise emission and to provide customers with noise emission data when putting new items on the European market. In addition, regulations recommend users to purchase low noise emission machines. A variety of accompanying technical documents have been drafted in order to assist experts in drafting standardized noise test codes. These are key standards in that they provide detailed specifications for the measurement and the declaration of noise emission values and, by doing so, they must deal with measurement uncertainty. Data obtained from these standards allow manufacturers to assess noise reduction achieved at the design stage and users to compare noise emissions of machines on the market and to assess effects on noise exposure. An overview of the treatment of uncertainty in standards on noise emission from machinery is presented.