Campaigning for action against noise

Events/Press Releases

THE QUIET LIFE: ENDORSEMENT SCHEME AND BOOKLET LAUNCHED  25th April 2007

 

The UK Noise Association announces the very first endorsement scheme for quiet household appliances, which will be accompanied by a booklet giving tips on how to lead a quieter life.  Both coincide with the celebration of the 12^th International Noise Awareness Day, which takes place on Wednesday 25^th April 2007. (1)  The first products to be awarded the UKNA ssSH mark of approval are dishwashers, washing machines and cooker hoods manufactured by AEG-Electrolux, which includes the “Quietest dishwasher in the World” (2).  The booklet “The Quiet Guide” has been written by campaigning journalist Val Weedon, who is also the UK Noise Association’s National Coordinator. (3)

 

The new endorsement scheme will enable consumers to identify products that emit less noise than the average sound level for a particular appliance. The scheme is now open for other manufacturers to apply for the mark.  The criteria has been kept simple and a chart has been produced to help determine whether a product qualifies. (4)  Manufacturers will need to make a formal application before use of the ssSH mark is accepted.

 

Val Weedon, National Coordinator for the UK Noise Association says:

 

“We hope the new endorsement scheme will help drive up standards and reduce noise levels for home appliances.  People just need to look out for the ssSH label.   We are now looking to apply this scheme to other types of products and services.  During the research for my booklet “The Quiet Guide”, I was amazed at the effort that industry and service suppliers are making to reduce noise levels and help make our world a quieter place.”

 

ENDS

 

For further information contact:    Val Weedon, 07887 940004 (m)

 

(1) International Noise Awareness Day is coordinated by The League for Hard of Hearing’s Noise Centre based in New York.  (www.lhh.org/noise)

(2) AEG-Electrolux contact: Susan Dean – 0118 976 1190 or Sue Hargreaves 0118 976 0030

(3) Hard copies available from 25^th April 2007 (www.thequietguide.co.uk)  PDF copy available

(4) See below

 

 

Dishwashers and Washing Machines	Guidelines
Decibel Rating	Definition
Less than 49	Very Quiet
50-55	Quiet
55-60	Average
61-70	Loud

 

 

To qualify a Quiet washing machine should be one which is under 49dB

 

In 2006 this represented 8% of the market

 

To qualify a Quiet dishwasher should be one which is under 45dB

 

This represented 2.4% of the market in 2006

 

 

Cooker Hoods should be under 60dB to qualify

 

Kitchen cooker hoods	Guidelines
Decibel Rating	Definition
55-60	Very Quiet
61-70	Average
71-78	Loud

 

 

 

 

 

The first products to be awarded the ssSH mark include:

 

AEG-Electrolux

 

Dishwashers: F80870 and F60870 both freestanding + Built-in: the F88070i, F88070Vi, F86070Vi, F65080Vi, F454250Vi

F80870 operate at a “whisper quiet” 41dBA – the quietest dishwashers in the world.

 

AEG-Electrolux, Electrolux and Zanussi-Electrolux washing machines have all been designed to reduce vibration and noise during operation and as a result the range starts at an extremely quiet 46dBA.

 

Cooker Hoods: HD8795M, HD8760M, HD8990, HD8960, Hi8610M, HC3360M, EFT6002

 

 

Manufacturers wishing to apply for the new UKNA Endorsement Scheme, please write to:

 

UK Noise Association

Broken Wharf House

2, Broken Wharf

London EC4V 3DT

Tel: 0207 329 0774

www.ukna.org.uk