---
title: "EU Directive 2003/10/EC"
description: "EU Directive 2003/10/EC (also called the Physical Agents (Noise) Directive) sets workplace noise-exposure limits across EU Member States. Three thresholds matter:"
canonical_url: "https://sylio.co/glossary/eu-directive-2003-10-ec"
last_updated: "2026-06-28T02:29:38.706Z"
---

**EU Directive 2003/10/EC** (also called the *Physical Agents (Noise) Directive*) sets workplace noise-exposure limits across EU Member States. Three thresholds matter:

- **Lower exposure action value** — 80 dBA daily (Member States must provide hearing protection)
- **Upper exposure action value** — 85 dBA daily (must be used, engineering controls considered)
- **Exposure limit value** — 87 dBA daily (must not be exceeded, even with hearing protection)

## Industrial sonic-horn implications

The directive applies to all EU industrial workplaces. Workplaces with installed [sonic horns](/glossary/sonic-horn) must conduct noise-risk assessments, often deploying [sound-attenuation enclosures](/glossary/sound-attenuation-enclosure-sonic-horn), implementing operator-distance restrictions during horn firing, and requiring hearing protection in adjacent areas.

## Comparison with US OSHA

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Threshold
    </th>
    
    <th>
      EU 2003/10/EC
    </th>
    
    <th>
      <a href="/glossary/osha-29-cfr-1910-95">
        US OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95
      </a>
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Lower action
    </td>
    
    <td>
      80 dBA
    </td>
    
    <td>
      —
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Upper action / PEL
    </td>
    
    <td>
      85 dBA
    </td>
    
    <td>
      90 dBA
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Exposure limit
    </td>
    
    <td>
      87 dBA
    </td>
    
    <td>
      —
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

The EU directive is more stringent than the US OSHA standard in absolute terms, particularly at the upper action level.

## Related terms

- [OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95](/glossary/osha-29-cfr-1910-95)
- [Sound pressure level](/glossary/sound-pressure-level)
- [Sound-attenuation enclosure (sonic horn)](/glossary/sound-attenuation-enclosure-sonic-horn)