The European Environment Agency (EEA) provides information to support environmental policy in Europe. It works through a network of organizations called Eionet that includes National Focal Points and European Topic Centres. One topic centre focuses on noise and advises the EEA and EU organizations on noise-related issues. This includes implementing the Environmental Noise Directive, developing common noise assessment methods, and publishing reports on recommended noise guidelines and health impacts of road traffic noise in Europe. The EEA also collaborates with the EPA Network, an informal group of environmental agencies, to share experiences and work towards harmonization of noise monitoring, reduction measures, and limit values across Europe.

1. Noise Networks in Europe
Colin Nugent – Project Manager for Noise
ETCSIA / UAB Open Day, Barcelona
20th September 2011
The EEA mission
The European Environment Agency is the EU body
dedicated to providing sound, independent
information on the environment
We are a main information source for those
involved in developing, adopting, implementing and
evaluating environmental policy, and also the
general public

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European environment information
and observation network (Eionet)
National Focal
Points
National
Reference
Centres
European Topic
Centres
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3. European Topic Centres
EEA
EEA Expert Panel on Noise (EPoN)
Advise and assist EEA, Directorate
General Environment (DG ENV) and
the Directorate General Joint
Research Centre (DG JRC) on noise
related matters in general
Missing and unclear provisions of
Environmental Noise Directive
Common Noise Assessment
Methods for Europe (CNOSSOS)
Good Practice Guide on Noise and
Health
Green paper on quiet areas
Biodiversity loss
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4. Recommended Night
Noise Guidelines for
Europe 2009
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5. Published by WHO
30th March 2011
Almost one million
healthy life years
lost each year due
to noise from road
traffic in Europe
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The EPA Network is an informal grouping bringing
together the directors of environment protection
agencies and similar bodies across Europe. The
Europe
network exchanges views and experiences on issues of
common interest to organizations involved in the
practical day-to-day implementation of environmental
day- to-
policy.
policy

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IG Noise - Objectives
•Harmonization of noise-monitoring: harmonization and
standardization of methods for monitoring and evaluation of noise
exposure and remedial measures (taking into account the
requirements of the END 2002/49/EC);
•Noise abatement measures at source: Information and
exchange of successful measures at source and common action
plans with stringent regulatory and incentive measures at sources;
•Critical levels: harmonized critical levels (limit values) that trigger
specific remedial measures;
•Economical instruments: cost-benefit aspects and application of
financial instruments in order to compensate external costs and to
set incentives for measures at sources;
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THANK YOU!