Noise protection: use of work equipment between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. - exemption authorisation

Relevant regulations governing the operation of motor-driven machines, tools and garden equipment are contained in the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) in conjunction with the Equipment and Machine Noise Protection Ordinance (32. BImSchV).

These regulations are generally aimed at both businesses and private individuals.
According to Section 7 (1) No. 1 of the 32nd BImSchV, equipment and machinery may be used in pure, general and special residential areas, small settlement areas, special areas used for recreation, spa and clinic areas, and on the grounds of hospitals and nursing homes on Sundays and public holidays throughout the day and on working days between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. Special regulations apply to brush cutters, grass trimmers and grass edge trimmers, leaf blowers and leaf collectors that do not bear the Community eco-label (European eco-label) or do not meet the requirements for permissible sound power levels of Stage II in Article 12 of Directive 2000/14/EC. These may also not be operated between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.