CANADA: NOISE EMISSION The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif. 96.29. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: CANADA. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2): 2. Agency responsible: Department of Transport. 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): Noise emission. 5. Title and number of pages of the notified document: Proposed Amendment to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (pages 457-462). 6. Description of content: Section 1106 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, entitled ``Noise'', specifies the maximum sound pressure levels permissible for new motor vehicles sold in Canada. At present, the noise emission requirements governing heavy trucks are out of date and do not harmonize with those of the United States or the Economic Commission of Europe (ECE). The proposed amendment would lower the noise emission requirements governing trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 4,536 kg. (10,000 lb.) and extend these requirements to apply to chassis-cabs with the same GVWR. The provisions governing all other vehicles, including buses and light-duty vehicles, would remain the same. The current requirements of Section 1106 allow motor vehicle manufacturers the option of following a Canadian test procedure which is based on a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) procedure, or an out-of-date ECE procedure. In addition to lowering the permissible noise limits, the proposed amendment would discontinue the use of the two existing procedures and require either that of the United States or the revised version of the ECE to be used instead. Depending on which test procedure is followed, the maximum permissible noise levels emitted by heavy trucks would be reduced by 3 to 5 dBA. 7. Objective and rationale: Protection of human health. 8. Relevant documents: Canada Gazette, Part 1, 3 February 1996. 9. Proposed date of adoption and entry into force: Not stated. 10. Final date for comments: 2 May 1996. (064)

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