Report on the implementation of the Environmental Noise Directive in accordance with Article 11 of Directive 2002/49/EC

Article 11 of the Environmental Noise Directive provides for an implementation report to be prepared by the European Commission every 5 years. In addition to addressing the implementation, the Directive requires that this report should also include a review of the acoustic environment, goals and measures for the reduction of environmental noise (legislation at source), and assess the need for further Community actions. This second implementation report reviews the situation since the publication of the first report, and also represents the action plan following the evaluation of the Directive, which took place in 2016 under the Commission's Regulatory Fitness and Performance (REFIT) programme.

Noise pollution continues to constitute a major environmental health problem in Europe. Scientific evidence shows that prolonged exposure to high levels of noise pollution can lead to serious health effects in areas controlled by the human endocrine system and by the brain, such as cardiovascular diseases, sleep disturbance and annoyance (a feeling of discomfort affecting general well-being). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), noise pollution leads to a disease burden that is second only to air pollution among the environment-related causes in Europe.

Environment-related pressures and risks to health and well-being are also at the heart of citizens' preoccupations, and the Union has a role to play in safeguarding its citizens from such pressures and risks, also making the Union's cities more sustainable. A goal to reduce the number of people harmfully affected by environmental noise has been set in the 7th Environment Action Programme. For this, innovative solutions are needed and will contribute to the achievement of the Commission's No.1 Priority: A new boost for jobs, growth and investment.

At EU level, Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise is the key legislative instrument for protecting citizens from excessive noise pollution caused by road, rail and airport traffic, as well as by large industrial installations. Its purpose is twofold: (1) to define a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce the harmful effects of environmental noise and (2) to provide a basis for developing measures to reduce noise emitted by the major sources.

European Commission: DG Environment: Noise: Evaluation of Environmental Noise Directive http://ec.europa.eu/environment/noise/evaluation_en.htm

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