Noise pollution: reduction of noise emitted by excavators (modif. Directive 86/662/EEC)

The Council's common position was very similar to the proposal submitted by the Commission. The Council's main modifications to the Commission proposal concerned: - the exclusion from the scope of the directive of earth-moving machines with an installed power above 500 kW; - the noise levels and the beginning of the consecutive stages for their implementation. The Council: extended the validity of the current directive until 29 December 1996 and that of the certificates granted under it until 29 December 1997; extended the second stage by one year (5 years instead of 4 years); increased by 1 dB the noise emissions to be applied to wheeled dozers, loaders and excavator-loaders during the second and third stages (from 85 to 86 respectively). Furthermore, the Council: removed the reference to the possibility of using economic instruments; opposed the removal of Article 4 of the original directive, which related to the limits on noise levels at the operator's position; retained the type IIIb committee, rather than the advisory committee proposed by the Commission. �