As at: April 2008

General Information Noise Protection

Protection against noise - the federal government's policy

Noise considerably impairs the quality of life for many people. High noise levels can also represent a health risk. Traffic noise is now one of the main environmental problems in our densely populated country with its busy roads, streets and motorways. In addition, there are noise emissions at work and at school, during leisure activities like sports or games and even while gardening.

In the key concern of noticeably improving protection against noise, environmental policies look to the overall concept of sustainability. In its National Sustainability Strategy the federal government refers to the recommendation of the German Advisory Council on the Environment. The Council calls for an end to the exceedance of average levels of 65 dB during the day and 55 dB during the night as soon as possible.

Protection against noise - implementation of the European directive on environmental noise

Therefore the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union passed the European directive on environmental noise in June 2002 in order to aquire data on noise and to combat it Europe-wide. It harmonises data collection on environmental noise and noise abatement planning. The directive was transposed into German law by a supplement to the Federal Immission Control Act in June 2005. Strategic noise mapping and noise actions plans were introduced as central instruments of noise protection legislation. For this purpose, in future all major roads, major railways, major airports and agglomerations will be mapped and the public informed about the results. Based on these noise maps, noise action plans will be drawn up in consultation with the public in order to prevent or reduce environmental noise and to prevent an increase of noise in quiet areas.

Limiting noise - but how?

Protection against noise is possible: By reducing noise emissions as such (quieter engines and tyres), by restricting the transmission of noise (noise barriers) and by reducing noise immissions (soundproof windows). However, permanent protection against noise will only be achieved if noise emissions, i.e. the sources of noise, are reduced effectively. Noise abatement policy is based on tackling these various aspects, the details of which are described on the following pages.