The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending letters of formal notice to Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia for failing to comply with the Noise Directive.
The six member states are also required to inform the European Commission of the findings of the strategic noise maps so that it can draw up a report covering the situation of noise exposure in the EU. These member states have failed to report to the EC all relevant information on the strategic noise maps, including noise exposure of the population. The EC is therefore sending letters of formal notice to these states, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission.
In the absence of a satisfactory response, the European Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
The Noise Directive identifies noise pollution levels and triggers the necessary action as a response, such as appropriate urban planning and noise protection measures. The Directive requires member states to adopt maps showing noise exposure within major agglomerations, along main railway lines, main roads and around major airports. These strategic noise maps serve as a basis for defining measures to help reduce noise pollution in the noise action plans. The action plans should address priorities in those areas of interest and should be drawn up by the competent authorities in consultation with the public.
Under the directive, the member states must establish common assessment methods for environmental noise and a definition for limit values, in terms of harmonised indicators for the determination of noise levels. The concrete figures of any limit values are to be determined by the member states, taking into account, inter alia, the need to apply the principle of prevention in order to preserve quiet areas in agglomerations. The selected common noise indicators are Lden, to assess annoyance, and Lnight, to assess sleep disturbance. It is also useful to allow member states to use supplementary indicators in order to monitor or control special noise situations.
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