Loading and unloading noise in the Netherlands has been limited since 1998: if the level at the home nearest the shop exceeds 60 dB(A) at night or 65 dB(A) in the evening, delivery is not allowed. The PIEK certificate turns these home limits into equipment limits, so certified vehicles and equipment stay below the same values 7.5 metres from the source.
| Period | Limit at the nearest home | PIEK equipment measurement, 7.5 m |
|---|---|---|
| Day | No limit | Not required |
| Evening | 65 dB(A) | 65 dB(A) |
| Night, 23:00-07:00 | 60 dB(A) | 60 dB(A) |
The measurement covers more than the engine. PIEK measures the truck, body and doors, refrigeration unit, pallet trucks and dollies with separate methods; driveline noise is exempt on the vehicle and the Quiet Truck limit is 72 dB(A). In London, by contrast, Transport for London's 2009 report found no recognised quiet level, and deliveries are mostly pushed into 07:00-22:00 by planning conditions or noise notices.
For your own route, record three sources separately at the same point with the same instrument and distance: the vehicle, the refrigeration unit and handling. Note the background noise, the load and the task. A phone reading is for preliminary comparison and does not replace a calibrated measurement or a certificate such as PIEK.
