A Sound Investment - Joint Declaration Traffic noise is the most widespread environmental problem in the European Union, we therefore welcome the European Commission’s revision of the existing Vehicle Noise Directive (70/157/EEC) which adopts tighter noise emission limits for vehicles. There is strong evidence that noise affects the health of one in three EU citizens[1] and that steps to tackle noise from vehicles, including tyres, are overwhelming cost effective (research shows that benefits outweigh costs by more than 30 times[2]). Accordingly, we urge the European Parliament and Council to agree a package of amendments to the Directive that strengthen the Commission’s proposal (2011/0409 COD) by: Accelerating the introduction of the revised standards, with step 1 to be enforced in 2013 and step 2 in 2015; Setting out a pathway for further noise reductions, by introducing a further step to enter into force in 2020 that achieves a significant further reduction in noise from vehicles; Ensuring that testing is representative of real world noise emissions Requiring information on vehicle noise to be publicly available; and Introducing stricter limits for highly intrusive peak levels of noise This five step plan[3] is a sound investment, reducing by half traffic noise in urban areas. We urge members of the European Parliament and Environment Council to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to substantially and cost-effectively improve the health and wellbeing of EU citizens. Signatories Cities and Regions Amsterdam Barcelona Berlin Brussels The Hague Ile de France Nordrhein-Westfalen Rheinland-Pfalz Organisations ALD CertiBruit Decibel Ingenieros, S.L. De Wolff Adviesbureau EEB EHIMA Eurocities HEAL Het GeluidBuro INFOLUTION.net e.K. Noise Abatement Society Noise Abatement Society of Malta Norwegian Association against Noise Norwegian Association for Conservation of Nature Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association NSG Padmos Geluidadvies Stichting Innonoise T&E The Future in Our Hands (Norway) UKISC UK Noise Association Politicians Cabinet of Evelyne Huytebroeck, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Urban Renovation, Brussels Gisela Splett, MdL Secretary of State, Baden-Württemberg [1] WHO (2011) press release and report available at http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-publish/abstracts/burden-of-disease-from-environmental-noise.-quantification-of-healthy-life-years-lost-in-europe [2] TNO (2012) Reduction of vehicle noise emission – Technological potential and impacts: http://www.transportenvironment.org/publications/reduction-vehicle-noise-emissions-technological-potential-and-impacts-0 [3] T&E / HEAL / EEB (2012) New EU vehicle noise limits : http://www.transportenvironment.org/sites/default/files/media/2012%2004_TE%20Position%20Paper%20New%20EU%20Vehicles%20Noise%20Limits_5pg.pdf