2. Machine acoustic specifications

European Directive 89/392/EC (published in 1989, then amended and renumbered 98/37/EC in 1998) is a major "new approach" directive, known as the "Machinery" Directive.

Three families of standards, known as "type A", "type B" and "type C", have been developed to accompany this directive. Type A standards cover the basic concepts of machine safety. Type B standards cover horizontal topics relating to machine safety, such as noise emission measurement. Type C standards deal with technical safety aspects specific to a given family of machines; these are the most numerous.