Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008.

This Regulation, consisting of 59 sections divided into six Parts and completed by three Schedules, implements the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 by providing specifications on noise control and acoustic pollution deriving from the use of several equipments, including cars, vessels, air conditioning systems, grass-cutting machines and intruder alarms. The Regulation addresses the following themes: motor vehicle and motor vehicle accessories (Part 2), marine vessels (Part 3), Size, design, format and construction of noise labels (sect. 35). Part 5 of the Regulation provides for the inspection and testing of certain articles and devices.The object of this Regulation is to repeal and remake, with minor amendments, the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2000.
The Regulation creates offences (maximum penalty for corporations and for individuals) for selling or driving a vehicle with a temporary noise reduction device or with temporary noise reduction packing or for modifying or repairing a vehicle so as to include any such device or packing. A person is not guilty of any such offence if the conduct alleged to give rise to the offence occurs within 6 months after the commencement of this Regulation. This Regulation also makes provision with respect to the following: (a) the selling or using of certain classes of motor vehicles and motor vehicle accessories that are capable of emitting noise levels above a prescribed level,(b) the use of motor vehicle horns and motor vehicle intruder alarms,(c) the times during which it is not permissible to use certain motor vehicles if they emit noise that can be heard in other residential premises,(d) the sounding of sirens and similar devices and the use of sound systems on vessels, (e) the emission of noise from the engines or exhausts of motor vehicles and vessels,(f) the maintenance of noise control equipment on motor vehicles and vessels, (g) the issue of defective vehicle notices and defective vessel notices,(h) the prohibition on selling certain articles that are capable of emitting noise levels above a prescribed level,(i) the obligation to label certain articles,(j) the times during which it is not permissible to use certain articles (including musical instruments) if they emit noise that can be heard in any residential premises, (k) the inspection and testing procedures for the purpose of determining noise emission levels of certain motor vehicles, motor vehicle accessories, vessels, articles or equipment.