Sejong, August 26 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT, Minister Won Hee-ryong) announced that they plan to strengthen inter-floor noise standards to minimize inconveniences occupants of multi-family housing may experience. The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport prepared an amendment to strengthen the equivalent sound level of impact noise by 4 dB among the inter-floor noise standards. Currently, the standard one-minute equivalent sound level of direct impact noise applied to the sound of running indoors is 43 dB during the day and 38 dB at night. Once the revision comes into effect, the standards will be strengthened to 39 dB during the day and 34 dB.

In 2014, the two ministries enacted and administered a joint ordinance governing the scope and standards of inter-floor noise. However, it has been pointed out that the current inter-floor noise standards do not adequately reflect the inconveniences of real life. The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport prepared an amendment after the discussions among researchers and experts.

A survey of 100 individuals conducted by the Korea Environment Corporation, an affiliate of the Ministry of Environment, from December 2019 to June 2020, showed that approximately 30% of respondents found the current daytime noise standard of 43 dB very 'annoying'. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the rate of noise annoyance be kept below 10%. Also, EU vehicle noise requirements typically indicate a rate of noise annoyance between 10 and 20%.

The revised daytime noise standard of 39 dB has an approximately 13% noise annoyance rate, which is expected to reduce inter-floor noise annoyance to less than half the current level. Stricter inter-floor noise standards may extend the scope of noise-related damage when disputes arise over the resulting damage from inter-floor noise. Although the level of inter-floor noise depends on the house's structure and other factors, noise-inducing behaviors such as running indoors can cause the inter-floor noise to exceed 40 dB. Both ministries will encourage people to live more considerately and advise them to take caution not to generate noise in multi-family housing.

For older multi-family housing that received construction approval before June 2005, the current inter-floor noise standard will be strengthened gradually by 2025. 

However, the maximum noise level and airborne noise requirements will remain unchanged except for equivalent sound standards. The current maximum noise standard is 57 dB and does not exceed 10% of noise annoyance rate. We will continuously monitor the situation related to inter-floor noise.

The Ministry of Environment and MOLIT will give administrative notice of revising the joint ordinance. We will promote the revision of standards based on ordinance review and feedback from the concerned authorities. 

In addition, both ministries will continue strengthening public services to reduce conflicts resulting from inter-floor noise significantly. Considering that complaints related to inter-floor noise increased suddenly after the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Environment will bolster the expertise of inter-floor noise specialists and improve the quality of public services. The ministry will expand customized services such as consultation at night time, online reservations, and one-stop noise measurement for dual-income households. The ministry will also provide on-site support, such as a noise meter rental service, and develop a conflict management training program to manage initial conflicts within houses. 

MOLIT has switched from a pre-certification system to a post- ation system for a performance test of the soundproofing of apartment floors. MOLIT is taking measures to reduce inter-floor noise, such as subsidizing the cost of noise reduction mats and requiring the formation of an inter-floor noise management committee.

Environment Minister Han Wha-jin said, "The Ministry of Environment will be committed to taking the lead in resolving inter-floor noise-related complaints. With strengthening inter-floor noise standards, we will do our utmost to promote a lifestyle that reduces noise in people's daily lives with consideration and tolerance for neighbors."

Contact: Yang Jong-rim, Deputy Director

Indoor Air and Noise Management Division / +82-(0)44-201-6794

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr