The legal status of EEC noise directives is explained, and a distinction is drawn between those directives based on reducing technical barriers to trade, and those stemming from the Community air transport policy. The special issue commences with three papers on EEC noise limits for four-wheeled motor vehicles, motorcycles and tractors. The fourth paper gives an outline of the development of international standards for noise certification of civil aeroplanes. It then explains maximum permissible noise limits for subsonic aeroplanes, which are registered or operated in the Member States of the European Community. The fifth paper discusses helicopter noise certification and the implications for noise control. At the time of writing (December 1987), the EEC appears to have no plans at present to adopt an independent helicopter noise directive. This is probably because of concern over the economic impact on the European helicopter industry, due to the high cost and long lead time required to develop the necessary 'low noise' technology. The sixth paper presents a framework.['or project and product evaluation within the context o[ the EEC directive on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). From 1 July 1988 all major pro/ects in the EEC will be subject to an EIA, which requires that a detailed statement of project and product impacts should be prepared and presented to the decision-makers in the appropriate Member States.