Overview
EN ISO 22868:2021 - "Forestry and gardening machinery - Noise test code for portable hand‑held machines with internal combustion engine - Engineering method (Grade 2 accuracy)" - is a CEN-adopted ISO standard that specifies a repeatable engineering method for measuring common noise emission characteristics of portable, hand‑held combustion‑engine forest and garden machines. The standard covers determination of the A‑weighted emission sound pressure level at the operator position and the A‑weighted sound power level, enabling manufacturers and regulators to evaluate and verify low‑noise design efforts for equipment such as chain‑saws, brush‑cutters, grass‑trimmers, edgers, pole‑mounted pruners, hedge‑trimmers and garden blowers/vacuums/knapsack mist blowers.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and intended accuracy: Engineering method with Grade 2 accuracy suitable for type testing and design verification. Supersedes the 2011 edition.
- Measured quantities: A‑weighted emission sound pressure level at the operator position and A‑weighted sound power level.
- Test environments and surfaces: Procedures for both artificial surfaces and natural ground to ensure standardized conditions and repeatability.
- Machine‑specific conditions: Normative annexes provide detailed test set‑ups and operating conditions for specific machine types (chain‑saws, brush‑cutters, grass‑trimmers, edgers, pole pruners, hedge‑trimmers, blowers/vacuums/mist blowers).
- Operator simulation: Options for replacing an operator with simulation methods to improve repeatability for certain tools (notably chain‑saws and grass‑trimmers).
- Measurement alignment: Microphone positioning and hemisphere arrangements corrected and aligned with related acoustics standards (e.g., ISO 3744) and harmonized testing procedures.
- Reporting and declaration: Clear requirements for test reporting, declaration of noise emission values, and verification processes.
Practical applications and users
This standard is practical for:
- Manufacturers of handheld forestry and garden machinery - for product development, noise reduction design verification, and type testing.
- Regulatory bodies, market surveillance and safety organizations - to assess conformity with machinery safety and noise requirements.
- Test laboratories and acoustic consultants - to perform standardized, repeatable measurements used in technical documentation and comparison.
- Employers and users - to understand declared noise levels for risk assessment and hearing protection planning.
EN ISO 22868:2021 helps reduce environmental and operator noise exposure by providing consistent measurement methods that support product improvement and regulatory compliance.
Related standards
- ISO 3744 (sound power determination by engineering methods)
- ISO 12100 (safety of machinery - basic concepts)
- EU Directive 2006/42/EC (Machinery Directive) - Annex ZA maps the standard to essential noise requirements
- EU Directive 2000/14/EC (equipment noise in the environment) - referenced in informative annexes
Keywords: EN ISO 22868:2021, noise test code, portable hand‑held machines, internal combustion engine, A‑weighted sound power level, operator sound pressure level, chain‑saw noise testing, brush‑cutter, grass‑trimmer, CEN, ISO.