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Noise emission control on vehicles
The Government intends to impose noise emission standards on vehicles on first registration with effect from August 1 as a further measure to reduce traffic noise on the roads.
The new requirement, which will enable Hong Kong to keep up with international standards and prevent vehicles emitting excessive noise from being imported into Hong Kong, is set out in the Noise Control (Motor Vehicles) Regulation gazetted today (Friday).
The existing vehicle fleet will not be affected. The noise emission standards will only apply to vehicles to be registered first time in Hong Kong on or after August
1.
The allowable noise level will be set at 77 dB(A) for a private car and 84 dB(A) for a large truck during acceleration, both measured at a 7.5-metre distance.
A spokesman for the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch said: "New vehicles imported into Hong Kong from Japan and European countries should be able to meet the statutory requirement without difficulty. These countries accounted for a great majority of the vehicles imported for local use."
He noted that some of the new vehicles imported from places other than these countries may need to adapt the vehicle design or install noise mitigation devices in order to meet the statutory standards.
Used motor vehicles imported into Hong Kong on or after August 1 will have to undergo a simple noise test in order to ensure they meet the required standards. This will only lead to a marginal increase in arrival cost as most of them are high-end vehicles.
The new legislation, if enacted, will bring about a slight reduction of traffic noise in a few years when the existing fleet is largely replaced by new vehicles which comply with the stringent noise standards.
The new requirement will not apply to special purpose vehicles, motor tricycles, village vehicles, and vehicles that cannot travel above 50 km per hour.
The Regulation was endorsed by the Advisory Council on the Environment. The Motor Traders Association, major bus companies, the Hong Kong Motor Cycle Association, the Hong Kong Motor Cycle Chamber of Commerce, and vehicle manufacturers had also been extensively consulted and generally supported the proposal.
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