Environment Protection (Environmental Standards for Noise) Regulations 2022. Government Notice no. 250 of 2022

LEGAL SUPPLEMENT 3013 to the Government Gazette of Mauritius No. 123 of 14 September 2022 Gopee imac4/Govt Notices/2022/The Environment Protection (Env Stand for Noise) Reg 22 - 2nd Proof 13.09.22-slo Government Notice No. 250 of 2022 THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT Regulations made by the Minister under sections 41 and 96 of the Environment Protection Act 1. These regulations may be cited as the Environment Protection (Environmental Standards for Noise) Regulations 2022. 2. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires – “Act” means the Environment Protection Act; “dB(A) Leq” means the equivalent A-weighted sound pressure level measured in decibel; “decibel” means a unit in which noise is measured; “enforcing agency” means the enforcing agency in relation to noise as designated in the Act; “factory” has the same meaning as in section 91 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act; “industrial noise” means noise emitted from a factory; “neighbourhood noise” – (a) means noise emitted from domestic premises; and (b) includes other sources of noise emitted from – (i) premises such as halls, multipurpose halls and wedding halls, used to accommodate various types of events; (ii) places of entertainment such as night clubs, pubs, private clubs, discotheques and restaurants; 3014 Government Notices 2022 Gopee imac4/Govt Notices/2022/The Environment Protection (Env Stand for Noise) Reg 22 - 2nd Proof 13.09.22-slo (iii) mechanical devices or equipment such as pumps, ventilation systems, air conditioners, air compressors, extractors and generators; and (iv) revving and warming up of machineries and stationary motor vehicles; but (c) does not include – (i) industrial noise; (ii) power station noise; or (iii) noise made by an aircraft, an animal, or traffic; “power station noise” means noise emitted by a station that generates electricity for supply by way of trade; 3. The environmental noise standards shall be the standards specified in the Schedule. 4. (1) The enforcing agency or the Director shall, as far as practicable, effect noise measurements from a distance of at least – (a) one metre from the nearest opening of any affected building facing the noise source; and (b) 1.5 metres above the ground or floor level. (2) For the purpose of paragraph (1), every equipment used to effect noise measurements shall bear a valid calibration certificate. 5. The Environment Protection (Environmental Standards for Noise) Regulations 1997 are revoked. 6. These regulations shall come into operation on 1 October 2022. Made by the Minister on 9 September 2022 Government Notices 2022 3015 Gopee imac4/Govt Notices/2022/The Environment Protection (Env Stand for Noise) Reg 22 - 2nd Proof 13.09.22-sloGopee imac4/Govt Notices/2022/The Environment Protection (Env Stand for Noise) Reg 22 - 2nd Proof 13.09.22-slo SCHEDULE [Regulation 3] NOISE EXPOSURE LIMITS SN Type of noise Time Standard 1. Industrial } 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 60*dB(A) Leq9 p.m.-7 a.m. of following day 55*dB(A) Leq 2. Neighbourhood } 7 a.m.-6 p.m. 60dB(A) Leq6 p.m.-9 p.m. 55dB(A) Leq9 p.m.-7 a.m. of following day 50dB(A) Leq 3. Power station (1) In residential area } 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 60dB(A) Leq9 p.m.-7 a.m. of following day 55dB(A) Leq (2) In any other area 70dB(A) Leq * A tonal character adjustment of +5 dB(A) to the measured value shall apply where the noise has a definite continuous note such as a whine or hiss.