Noise might seem as a mere unavoidable inconvinience in our daily lives. In reality, it is a prominent health risk, causing stress, cardiovascular diseases, sleeping disorders etc. Noise can also be avoided: skillful city planning and construction solutions can help to protect human health considerably.
To motivate noise emitters to take necessary measures, relevant requirements must be clear and stringent enough. EELC finds that the main shortcoming of existing legislation is lack of clarity on which noise standards (limit values) are applicable in different locations. This makes application of rules complicated in practice.
EELC aims to change this situation. To protect human health and well-being we are making efforts so that legal norms would be clarified so that:
1) It is clear which noise standards are applicable where;
2) Public concerned can have an effective say in the application of noise standards in different areas;
3) Noise standards themselves are sufficient for protection of human health and well-being.
Fulfilment of our goals depend on the application of the new Ambient Air Protection Act and on application of the new rules by municipalities and Health Board.
EELC first dealt closely with noise in the Türi noise case, which examplified the problems and challenges of existing legislation. In 2010 we wrote our first analysis on the problems with applying noise rules. In 2012 we compile a new analysis of shortcomings of existing legislation ordered by Estonian branch of Akukon OY , in 2013 this was followed by the analysis on possible solutions for improvements. Both analyses were financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs; Ministry of Environment also took part in the work.
To achieve our goals, we were actively
participating in the compilation of the new draft act on protection of ambient
air. Additionally we have spoken out in changes to the regulation of noise standards. The regulation has been adopted by now and our goal is to achieve its best application.
To change the current situation we were participating in both the new draft Act on ambient air protection as well as Spatial Planning Act; both have been adopted by now:
Atmospheric Air Protection Act
Spatial Planning Act
NB! Above materials are unfortunately available only in Estonian. If you want a better insight into our advocacy goals, activities or successes in English then write us an e-mail at k6k@k6k.ee or give us a call at +372 742 4524.
