NETHERLANDS: PORTABLE MOTORIZED CHAIN SAWS The following notification has been received in GATT Document TBT/Notification G95.58 dated 2 March 1995. 1. Member to agreement notifying: Netherlands. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2): 2. Agency responsible: Ministry for Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): portable motorized chain saws. 5. Title and number of pages of the notified document: draft order in council concerning the implementation of Article 2 of the act on noise pollution with relation to the noise output of motorized chain saws (order on the noise output of motorized chain saws). 6. Description of content: the draft order prohibits the manufacture or import of motorized chain saws of a non-approved type for industrial use. Compliance of each individual motorized chain saw with the approved type shall be shown by a noise logo affixed to the tool and by a certificate which is to accompany the motorized chain saw permanently. Type approval is refused if the motorized chain saw in question exceeds the maximum permitted noise capacity level upon inspection. The system of type approval is in keeping with the system applicable in a number of EC directives governing noise output of certain appliances. 7. Objective and Rationale: the purport of the draft order is to restrict noise pollution experienced within the immediate surroundings as a result of the use of motorized chain saws. It does not aim to protect the user from the impairment of hearing. The draft order forms part of the Dutch policy which is aimed at curbing noise pollution caused by appliances (see: action programme appliances - noise 1990-2010, parliamentary documents 11 1988/89, 20 800, No. 18). Motorized chain saws generate a great deal of noise (current level 103 to 118 DB.(A)) and tend to be used at locations with low background noise levels (parks and woodland areas), thus constituting serious disturbance within the immediate surroundings. 8. Relevant documents: The Noise Pollution Act; The Environmental Protection Act; The Action Programme - Appliances - Noise 1990-2010. 9. Proposed date of adoption and entry into force: 1 October 1995. 10. Final date for comments: 20 April 1995. (080)

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