Overview

The Federal Noise Abatement Commission (FNAC) is a non-parliamentary technical commission for noise and vibration abatement appointed by the Federal Council.

The FNAC is the successor to the Federal Commission for Evaluating Noise Pollution Limits (EKBL) which was founded in 1975. The FNAC's remit is broad and in line with current standards, but also covers the areas of its predecessor.

The FNAC is an independent commission dealing with scientific and methodological questions and having an advisory and preparatory function. It was established on the basis of Article 57 paragraph 2 of the Organisation of Government and Administration Act of 21 March 1997 (RVOG) and Article 8 of the Ordinance on Government and Administration (RVOV) of 25 November 1998 (state 1 January 2012). The implementing order is dated 9 November 2011.

The FNAC is an interdisciplinary commission. The members are experts from the fields of medicine, spatial planning, biology, physics, psychology, acoustics, architecture, epidemiology, law and economy.

The FNAC advises the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) on scientific and methodological issues concerning the abatement of noise and vibrations as well as on the evaluation of noise impact on people's health, well-being and quality of life. It compiles data, reports, recommendations, opinions and applications.

The FNAC supports the Federal Council in defining immission limits in the Noise Abatement Ordinance (LSV) and limits for noise emissions, e.g. from equipment and machines used outdoors (Machine Noise Ordinance, MaLV).

The FNAC complements with its expertise the knowledge and experience of the Noise Abatement Division of the FOEN.

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Last edition: 13.09.2018