# 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), Division III.2: Operation conditions

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

(a)Sound generation method
The AVAS shall automatically generate a sound in the minimum range of vehicle speed from start up to approximately 20 km/h and during reversing. Where the vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine that is in operation within that vehicle speed range, the AVAS shall not generate a sound.
Vehicles having overall sound levels complying with the requirements in paragraph 6.2.8 of UNECE Regulation No 138 with a margin of +3 dB(A), are not required to be equipped with AVAS. The requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.8 of UNECE Regulation No 138 for one-third octave bands and the requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.3 of UNECE Regulation No 138 for the frequency shift as defined in paragraph 2.4 of the same UNECE Regulation (‘frequency shift’) shall not apply to those vehicles.
For vehicles having a reversing sound warning device, it is not necessary for the AVAS to generate a sound whilst reversing, on condition that the reversing sound of the warning device complies with the requirements laid down in the second subparagraph of paragraph 6.2 and in paragraph 6.2.2 of UNECE Regulation No 138.
The sound generated by the vehicle type submitted for approval shall be measured in accordance with the methods set out in Annex 3 and subparagraphs 6.2.1.3 and 6.2.2.2 of UNECE Regulation No 138.
(b)Switch
The AVAS may be fitted with a mechanism to enable the driver to halt the operation of an AVAS (‘pause function’), which is easily accessible by the vehicle driver in order to allow engaging and disengaging. Where a pause function is fitted, the AVAS shall default to the switched on position upon restarting of the vehicle.
In addition, the pause function shall comply with the requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.6 of UNECE Regulation No 138.
(c)Attenuation
The AVAS sound level may be attenuated during periods of vehicle operation. In those cases, the AVAS sound level shall comply with the requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.8 of UNECE Regulation No 138.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2014/540/annex/VIII/section/III/division/III.2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2014-540/annex-VIII/section-III/division-III.2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.