Call for evidence outcome

Summary of responses

Updated 8 September 2025

Background

The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 (“the Regulations”) implemented Directive 2000/14/EC (noise emission by outdoor equipment – “the Directive”) in the UK. The EU Withdrawal Act 2018 preserved the Regulations and enabled them to be amended so as to continue to function effectively now that the UK has left the EU.

Recently, the European Union adopted Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1208 which amends Annex III of the Directive, to update testing methods used to measure noise levels emitted by certain outdoor equipment. The EU also adopted Directive 2024/2839 to remove certain reporting requirements, meaning that manufacturers of outdoor equipment are no longer required to provide the Commission and the responsible authority of the Member State with a copy of their declaration of conformity under the Directive.

Overview

On 31 March 2025, the UK Government laid a statutory instrument to implement these changes in Northern Ireland, as per our obligations under the Windsor Framework. The updates to the testing methods came into force on 22 May 2025 and the removal of the reporting requirements will come into force on 29 November 2025.

On 16 September 2024, the Government published a Call for Evidence, seeking stakeholders’ views on whether to introduce similar measures across the rest of the UK and continue CE recognition of equipment in scope of the Regulations. The Call for Evidence closed on 11 November, and a total of 29 responses were received from UK, EU and global manufacturers and distributors, UK Approved Bodies, Trade Associations, Professional Bodies, and individuals.

The Call for Evidence was split into two questions. The first question focused on whether stakeholders would like to see a similar approach taken in Great Britain to that of the EU and therefore Northern Ireland. The second focused specifically on whether to continue to recognise the EU’s rules on outdoor equipment.

Question 1: What issues should be considered if similar outdoor equipment measures were introduced across the rest of the UK?

27 responses indicated a desire for a similar approach to be taken in GB to the recent EU changes to the Directive, one indicated a preference for divergence to any EU changes, and one did not respond to the specific question.

The response which indicated a preference for divergence was received from a member of the public, who wanted to see regulatory independence now that the UK has left the EU. The response which did not respond to the specific question was also received from a member of the public and highlighted a desire to see the noise limit of leaf blowers reduced.

Question 2: What issues should be considered if the UK were to continue its recognition of EU rules on outdoor equipment?

26 respondents were in favour of continued recognition, while one was against this, one indicated mixed views, and one did not respond to the specific question.

The response which did not support continued CE recognition was received from the same member of the public who wanted to see regulatory independence in Question 1. The response which did not respond to the specific question was the same member of the public as with Question 1, where they were highlighting noise limits of leaf blowers.

Themes identified

Responses to both questions could be split into themes which were very similar between questions. The themes in support of taking a similar approach in GB and continuing CE recognition focused on resource, time, and cost efficiency, decreased administrative burdens and the reduced risk of manufacturers choosing to leave the UK market. Respondents suggested that the potential consequences of not taking a similar approach in GB or continuing CE recognition included increased costs, which may then be passed onto consumers, negative impacts on product availability and consumer choice, and potential negative environmental and health and safety impacts.

One response in favour of divergence (i.e. not taking a similar approach in GB) indicated that this is an important opportunity for Britain to decide its own approach, by tightening regulations on outdoor noise, to forward national interests and those of UK residents. On CE recognition, a small number of responses flagged the potential impacts on the UK Conformity Assessment sector, citing concerns around potential impacts on income and a testing capability. Another respondent suggested that CE recognition would minimise burdens on manufacturers and consumers, but that the UK should be encouraged to use this as a baseline rather than a constraint, in order to go further and introduce other options which utilise more modern testing techniques.

Next steps

The Government intends to use the powers provided in the Product Regulation and Metrology Act to update the legislation in Great Britain, when Parliamentary time allows.