Sejong, March 14 - Aimed at reducing two-wheeler noise pollution, the Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Jeoung Ae) will be updating the overall noise control system from permissible standards of noises to regulating mobile noise control areas.

In this regard, the permissible noise standards established in 1993 for manufactured and running two-wheelers will be revised to a level similar to that of international norms. Considering the fact that permissible noise standards for manufactured two-wheelers are subject to preliminary negotiations for the EU-South Korea free trade agreement, the revision will be made within the range of the EU's pass-by noise regulations1 (75-80 dB). Similar to Japan, ME will apply the same standards for running vehicles as manufactured vehicles to have two-wheelers be manufactured and imported below the permissible standards from the manufacturing stage.

The acceptable standards for manufactured two-wheelers will be strengthened as follows: 95 dB for engine displacement above 175 cc; 88 dB for 175 cc or below and above 80 cc; and 86 dB for above 80 cc. It has become mandatory to mark the “exhaust noise test result of manufactured two-wheelers,” in which the noise should not exceed over 5 dB from the test result, in order to restrict structural modifications for amplifying noises (for example, exhaust tuning). In this regard, the permissible exhaust noise standards for running two-wheelers will be regulated by selecting the stricter standards between permissible exhaust noise standards (86-95 dB) and exhaust noise higher than the noise test result of manufactured cars (5 dB), depending on the total engine displacement.

Furthermore, in the first half of this year, ME plans to prioritize the amendment of the Noise and Vibration Control Act that restricts structural modifications of two-wheelers that cause increased noise. The ministry will include “two-wheelers with exhaust noises that exceed 95 dB” as “mobile noise sources2” as defined in the Noise and Vibration Control Act to reduce noise pollution in residential areas.

Once "two-wheelers with exhaust noise that exceed 95 dB" are designated as mobile noise sources, local governments intending to restrict such two-wheelers may designate or change "mobile noise control areas" considering their local situations to control the restricted areas, subjects, and time. Moreover, ME plans to amend the Noise and Vibration Control Act to apply stricter permissible noise standards within the mobile noise control areas.

The ministry will also work on the fundamental suppression of noises created from two-wheelers. It plans build a low-noise motorcycle management system, such as supplying electric two-wheelers for delivery and implementing a noise control system, for local governments where internal combustion engine two-wheelers frequent. In particular, local governments that pilot “internal combustion engine motorcycle control areas3” or control mobile noises exceptionally well will be prioritized with infrastructure for electric two-wheelers. Another mid-to-long term plan includes the development of a CCTV system for controlling noise linked with environmental R&D projects.

Following a recent surge in complaints regarding two-wheeler noises4, local governments and the National Assembly urged the government to strengthen the permissible noise standards for running two-wheelers5. ME, in response, came up with measures to control noises by comparing the domestic and international permissible noise standards for two-wheelers and analyzing the exhaust noise6 test7 result of manufactured two-wheelers and the noises measured during regular inspection8 of running two-wheelers.

External researchers (May-December 2021) and noise experts (from noise and vibration research institutes and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority) offered consultations for the revision of the permissible noise standards for two-wheelers. ME also considered the opinions of two-wheeler manufacturers and importers. 

Park Yeon-jae, head of the ME Air Quality Policy Bureau, said, “The revision of the permissible noise standards for two-wheelers after 30 years is to form a peaceful living environment for people. We will seek for the cooperation of two-wheeler manufacturers and importers, as well as the owners, for a quick transition to a low-noise system.” Park Yong-gyu, head of the ME Environmental Health Bureau, mentioned, “We will form an institutional basis to prioritize the designation of areas with frequent motorcycle noises as mobile noise control as to ensure systematized management.”

1 A set of standards used by the EU and other countries, including Korea, to set permissible noise standards for manufactured vehicles. This measures the highest noise emission level generated by two-wheelers (includes noises from exhaust, engine, and tires) from a 7.5-meter distance

2 (Current provision) Megaphones for commercial use, sound devices used by vacationers, two-wheelers with unusual silencers or sound devices attached

3 Areas restricting the access of internal combustion engine two-wheelers to residential areas from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. when residents are especially sensitive to noise will be provided with necessary infrastructures, such as public platforms for electric two-wheelers for delivery and battery swap stations. 

4 Increased complaints regarding noise: 935 cases in 2019 → 1,473 in 2020 → 2,154 in 2021

5 Exhaust noise regulations adjusted to 96 dB or below by the Public-Private Regulation Advancement Task Force of the Office for Government Policy Coordination and local governments in Seongnam, Seoul, Jeollabuk-do, and Cheonan

6 A method of measuring noise generated at 75% of the maximum engine power at a 0.5-meter distance from the exhaust pipe. Korea and Japan use this method to manage permissible noise standards of manufactured and running vehicles

7 A manufacturer or importer that wish to manufacture or sell vehicles must obtain a certification by the National Institute of Environmental Research on the appropriateness of permissible noise standards. Manufacture and sales of two-wheelers are only available when the noise test result is within the permissible noise standards

8 Owners of running two-wheelers must undergo a test whether the exhaust noise meets the standards at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority or other private inspection centers after three years of ownership and then every two years

Contact: HONG Min-gang, Deputy Director 

Transportation Environment Division

+82-(0)44-201-6928 

Foreign Media Contact: CHUN Minjo

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr