Regulatory protocol for Colombia’s national regulations on environmental noise and noise emission Act 0627.

Abstract

Act 0627 of April 7, 2006, was an important progress regarding national regulations on environmental noise and noise emissions. However, during the first years of its validity, doubts about its interpretation and application have been raised. In response to this issue, the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development has signed a contract with the University of Medellin for the development of a detailed protocol that would allow the unambiguous and rigorous implementation of the Act. The protocol was submitted to the Ministry in January 2010. It includes detailed guidelines for organizing and carrying out measurements of noise levels (including the selection of points to consider), processing and interpretation of measurement results, minimum content of the reports delivered as a result of the measurements, performing acoustic maps, and guidelines for the preparation of plans for noise abatement.