The Common Noise Assessment Methods in Europe (CNOSSOS-EU) presented by the European Commission will assess noise from road, rail and air traffic and from industry, and will provide consistent and comparable data on the noise levels to which people are exposed. Member States will have to start using the new methods for the next round of EU-wide strategic noise mapping in 2017.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented a new method to quantify noise exposure. According to the JRC, evaluation to noise exposure will be significantly easier thanks to a new set of common noise assessment methods published and known as the Common Noise Assessment Methods in Europe (CNOSSOS-EU). In particular, they assess noise from road, rail and air traffic and from industry, and will provide consistent and comparable data on the noise levels to which people are exposed. In December 2011, the European Environment Agency presented a new application to map noise levels across Europe.

The European Commission will use the common set of noise assessment methods developed by the JRC as a basis for the common methodology to obtain comparable figures on traffic (road, railway, aircraft) and industrial noise by end 2013. Member States will have to start using the new methods for the next round of EU-wide strategic noise mapping in 2017.

Strategic noise maps are used by the EU national Competent Authorities to identify priorities for action planning and by the European Commission to provide global assessments of noise exposure across the EU. The CNOSSOS-EU will also facilitate the preparation of detailed action plans to prevent and reduce exposure to harmful levels of noise.