Environmental Noise Directive (END)

On the basis of the strategic noise mappings, Member States had to draw up action plans for managing and, "if necessary", reducing noise. Directive 2002/49/EC only fixed formal requirements on the action plans (Annex V, Directive 2002/49/EC)       and stipulated: "the measures for the plans are at the discretion of the competent authorities" (Article 8(2)).

It suggested that particular attention be paid to avoid an increase in noise in "quiet areas" within agglomerations (Article 3(l)).       Directive 2002/49/EC carefully avoided the setting of any binding noise limit value or non-binding target value, the exceedance of which would require the elaboration of an action plan. It defined the term "limit value" but hastened to add that this value was to be determined by Member States: "the exceeding of which causes competent authorities to consider or enforce mitigation measures" (Article 3(s)).

Furthermore, Member States had to send the information collected from the strategic noise maps and a summary of the noise plans to European Commission. However, this information only concerned the noise levels during daytime. Information on night time noise levels was not required to be sent.