Assessment and management of environmental noise

The Commission considers that the Common Position does not alter the basic aims and approach of the proposal and that it clarifies many aspects. In other aspects, the proposal has been weakened, and the timetable delayed. In the original proposal, all the deadlines were given as specific dates. The deadlie for designating the competent authorities was 30 June 2003. The common position specifies 3 years after entry into force. The changes represent a delay of at least 18months, and this now applies to almost all provisions in the proposal. Consequently, the Commission can broadly support the common position, but will be flexible in its approach to second reading.�