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In 1998 the Dutch Government set out standards for noise emission during loading and unloading in retail trade and craft businesses. This resulted in a project called PIEK and in 2004 in the PIEK certification scheme for vehicles and equipment operating under 60dB(A) which will be suitable for use in night time deliveries without causing noise disturbance.

These limits are set out in the ‘Retail Trade and Craft Businesses Environmental Management Decree issued by government on October 1998, under article 8.40 of the Environmental Management Act. The standard resulted in the testreport on ‘Measurement methods for peak noise during loading and unloading (2018 update)’. This report is intended to define measurement methods so that the compliance of new equipment with the limits set by the Decree can be determined. 

To achieve the standard, each product is acoustically measured and must function emitting under 60dB(A) at 7.5 metres from the sound source. From October 2022 Piek-Keur sets the limit to 62 dB(A). From driveline noise (QuietTruck) the limit is 72 dB(A). It is then deemed suitable for out-of-hours delivery that will not cause noise disturbance to nearby residents. When a truck or other transport equipment is provide with a Piek-Keur sticker, everything has been done to make it quiet.

The PIEK-standard has been adopted in several countries like the UK, France, Germany and Belgium. All these projects use the testreport and the certificates granted by the national parties as the harmonized standard. On an national level the project can differ, but they all have the same goal: a solution for the ever growing congestion and its effects on society, that can only come with utilising that road space in off-peak times.

This website contains the central European database for all PIEK-approved vehicles and components. Please contact the national organization for further details on the national approval schemes.