S.L. 549.37 Art. 2Objectives.

(1) The aim of these regulations is to define a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to the exposure to environmental noise. To that end the following actions shall be implemented progressively:

(a) the determination of exposure to environmental noise, through noise mapping, by methods of assessment common to the Agreement States;

(b) ensuring that information on environmental noise and its effects are made available to the public;

(c) the adoption of action plans by the Agreement States, based upon noise-mapping results, with a view to preventing and reducing environmental noise where necessary and particularly where exposure levels can induce harmful effects on human health and preserving environmental noise quality where it is good.

(2) These regulations shall also aim at providing a basis for developing measures to reduce noise emitted by the major sources, in particular road and rail vehicles and infrastructure, aircraft, outdoor and industrial equipment and mobile machinery.