[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 22]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR211.206-1]

[Page 178]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 211--PRODUCT NOISE LABELING--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart B--Hearing Protective Devices
 
Sec. 211.206-1  Real ear method.

    (a) The value of sound attenuation to be used in the calculation of 
the Noise Reduction Rating must be determined according to the ``Method 
for the Measurement of Real-Ear Protection of Hearing Protectors and 
Physical Attenuation of Earmuffs.'' This standard is approved as the 
American National Standards Institute Standard (ANSI STD) S3.19-1974. 
The provisions of this standard, with the modifications indicated below, 
are included by reference in this section. Copies of this standard may 
be obtained from: American National Standards Institute, Sales 
Department, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.
    (b) For the purpose of this subpart only, sections 1, 2, 3 and 
appendix A of the standard, as modified below, shall be applicable. 
These sections describe the ``Real Ear Method.'' Other portions of the 
standard are not applicable in this section.
    (1) The sound field characteristics described in paragraph 3.1.1.3 
are ``required.''
    (2) Sections 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 shall be accomplished in this order 
during the same testing session. Any breaks in testing should not allow 
the subject to engage in any activity that may cause a Temporary 
Threshold Shift.
    (3) Section 3.3.3.1(1) shall not apply. Only ``Experimenter fit'' 
described in Section 3.3.3.1(2) is permitted.
    (4) Section 3.3.3.3 applies to all devices except custom-molded 
devices. When testing custom-molded devices, each test subject must 
receive his own device molded to fit his ear canal.

[44 FR 56139, Sept. 28, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 8275, Feb. 6, 1980]