# Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directive 70/157/EEC (Text with EEA relevance), Annex III: LIMIT VALUES

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

The sound level measured in accordance with the provisions of Annex II, mathematically rounded to the nearest integer value, shall not exceed the following limits:
M1 vehicles derived from N1 vehicles:
M1 vehicles with an R point > 850 mm from the ground and a total permissible laden mass more than 2 500 kg have to fulfil the limit values of N1 (2 500 kg < mass ≤ 3 500 kg).
+ two years for new vehicle type and + one year for new vehicles registration.
Limit values shall be increased by 1dB (2 dB(A) for N3 and M3 categories) for vehicles that meet the relevant definition for off-road vehicles set out in point 2.1 of Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
For M1 vehicles the increased limit values for off-road vehicles are only valid if the technically permissible maximum laden mass > 2 tonnes.
Limit values shall be increased by 2 db(A) for wheelchair accessible vehicles and armoured vehicles, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
Vehicle category
Description of vehicle category
Limit values expressed in dB(A)[decibels (A)]
Phase 1 applicable for new vehicle types from 1 July 2016
Phase 2 applicable for new vehicle type from 1 July 2020 and for first registration from 1 July 2022
Phase 3 applicable for new vehicle type from 1 July 2024 and for first registration from 1 July 2026
M
Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers
M1
power to mass ratio
≤ 120 kW/1 000 kg
72
70
68
M1
120 kW/1 000 kg < power to mass ratio ≤ 160 kW/1 000 kg
73
71
69
M1
160 kW/1 000 kg < power to mass ratio
75
73
71
M1
power to mass ratio > 200 kW/1 000 kg
number of seats ≤ 4
R point of driver seat ≤ 450 mm from the ground
75
74
72
M2
mass ≤ 2 500 kg
72
70
69
M2
2500 kg < mass ≤ 3 500 kg
74
72
71
M2
3500 kg < mass ≤ 5 000 kg;
rated engine power ≤ 135 kW
75
73
72
M2
3500 kg < mass ≤ 5 000 kg;
rated engine power > 135 kW
75
74
72
M3
rated engine power ≤ 150 kW
76
74
73
M3
150 kW < rated engine power ≤ 250 kW
78
77
76
M3
rated engine power > 250 kW
80
78
77
N
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods
N1
mass ≤ 2 500 kg
72
71
69
N1
2 500 kg < mass ≤ 3 500 kg
74
73
71
N2
rated engine power ≤ 135 kW
77
75
74
N2
rated engine power > 135 kW
78
76
75
N3
rated engine power ≤ 150 kW
79
77
76
N3
150 kW < rated engine power ≤ 250 kW
81
79
77
N3
rated engine power > 250 kW
82
81
79

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2014/540/annex/III (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2014-540/annex-III
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.