Brussels, 05/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Environment Bureau (EBB) and the European Federation for Environment and Transport (T&E) are pushing the Commission to act in order to reduce noise pollution in Europe. In a press release, the two environmental protection organisations recall that they had, last July, welcomed the draft Directive that aims to institute in the Union harmonised methods for the assessment and management of noise, while regretting the absence of provisions setting environmental objective that, according to them, "are so badly needed". Satisfied that the Council managed to reach a "common position" on the text, the EBB and the T&E say they are very disappointed that the amendments by the Parliament aiming to establish objectives for quality and to develop measures to achieve them have not been retained. "Surveys show that noise is the number 1 environmental complaint, and these complaints are increasing. We need to set ambient noise quality standards for the future right now, to make sure that further development des not continue to worsen an already serious problem and to ensure a level playing field across Europe", stated John Hontelez, Secretary General of the EBB. The amendments that the two organisations feel are crucial to extend the scope of the Directive aim to: - adapt the Directive to a framework Directive and its "daughter" Directives that would follow in the eighteen months to establish quality standards, following on from the understanding that the Commission would also propose emission limits for certain sources of noise, as an element of this combined approach; - introduce a Lmax indicator to measure the maximum exposure to noise; - require from the Member States that they establish a map for noise and action plans in case of serious complaints concerning noise, - impose on the people or entities concerned for significant sources of noise to implement action plans, - improve public access to clear and understandable information. Feeling that these amendments are very important for the protection of public health, the EBB and T&E deplore that the Parliament has on the other hand missed the opportunity to set emission limits for noise around airports, and this according to the amount of noise will increase with the expansion seen by the aviation industry. The EBB and T&E also regret that the Council has watered down the initial Commission proposal by introducing a certain amount of flexibility into the calculation of the Lden indicator) indicator of the noise disturbance during the day and night), flexibility that they consider to be contrary to the aim of harmonisation f the methods followed by the Directive. At the same time, the organisations invite the Parliament to confirm its amendments in second reading, and the Swedish Presidency of the Council to take it into account. (Concerning the vote in first reading of the report by Alexander de Roo, see EUROPE of 16 December, page 12).