Noise, Vibration, and Odor Standards in Indonesia: The Disturbance Quality Framework Under PP 22/2021

Executive Summary

Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 (PP 22/2021) establishes the regulatory framework for disturbance quality standards (baku mutu gangguan) through BAB IV on Air Quality Protection and Management. While emissions and ambient air quality receive primary attention in air quality regulation, disturbances from noise, odor, and vibration significantly impact community quality of life and require dedicated regulatory treatment.

The regulation recognizes three disturbance categories under a unified framework. Noise encompasses sound pollution from industrial, commercial, and construction activities. Odor includes olfactory impacts from manufacturing, waste management, and processing operations. Vibration covers mechanical disturbances affecting surrounding structures and communities.

Standard-setting considers multiple factors balancing protection with practicality. Human health protection forms the primary objective. Physical safety and building preservation address structural concerns. Best available technology and economic capability ensure standards remain achievable without excessive burden.

Testing requirements mandate disturbance assessment by qualified parties. Ministry-registered laboratories provide formal testing capability. Certified personnel enable field assessments where laboratory measurement proves impractical. This dual pathway accommodates different disturbance types and measurement contexts.

Background & Context

Disturbance pollution differs fundamentally from chemical air pollution. Noise, odor, and vibration lack the persistent environmental presence of particulate or gaseous emissions. Their impacts manifest through immediate sensory experience rather than cumulative environmental degradation. However, chronic exposure causes documented health effects including hearing damage, stress disorders, and sleep disruption.

Indonesia's urbanization and industrialization intensify disturbance concerns. Manufacturing facilities operate near residential areas. Construction projects generate temporary but intense noise and vibration. Waste treatment and food processing facilities create odor impacts affecting surrounding communities. Regulatory frameworks must address these impacts while enabling economic activity.

The three disturbance categories require different measurement approaches. Noise measurement relies on standardized acoustic instrumentation measuring sound pressure levels in decibels. Vibration assessment uses accelerometers and vibration meters with defined measurement protocols. Odor presents particular challenges since human olfactory perception varies individually, requiring specialized assessment methods including panel testing.

The balancing factors in standard-setting reflect this complexity. Human health protection establishes the fundamental objective. Building preservation acknowledges that vibration can damage structures over time. Technology availability ensures standards remain achievable with current equipment. Economic capability prevents standards from creating undue compliance burdens.

Key Provisions

Disturbance Standards Authority

The Minister establishes disturbance quality standards within the air quality management framework.

Pasal 207 Ayat 1:

"(1) Menteri menyusun dan menetapkan baku mutu gangguan sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 189 huruf c."

The Minister develops and establishes disturbance quality standards as part of the broader air quality control framework under Pasal 189. This centralized authority ensures national consistency while allowing technical standards to evolve with measurement capabilities and scientific understanding.

Three Disturbance Categories

The regulation defines three categories of regulated disturbances.

Pasal 207 Ayat 2:

"(2) Gangguan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) meliputi: a. kebisingan; b. kebauan; dan c. getaran."

Disturbances include noise (kebisingan), odor (kebauan), and vibration (getaran). This comprehensive scope ensures no significant disturbance type escapes regulatory attention. The categories cover the primary non-chemical environmental impacts affecting community welfare.

Standard-Setting Considerations

Multiple factors guide disturbance standard development.

Pasal 207 Ayat 3:

"(3) Baku mutu gangguan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) ditetapkan dengan mempertimbangkan: a. kesehatan manusia; b. keselamatan sarana fisik; c. kelestarian bangunan; d. ketersediaan teknologi terbaik; dan/atau e. kemampuan ekonomi."

Standards consider human health as the primary protection objective. Physical safety addresses equipment and infrastructure impacts. Building preservation protects structural integrity from vibration damage. Best available technology ensures standards remain technically achievable. Economic capability balances protection against compliance costs.

Definition and Measurement Methods

The regulation's explanatory notes clarify disturbance standard definitions.

Penjelasan Pasal 207 Ayat 1:

"Yang dimaksud dengan 'baku mutu gangguan' adalah ukuran batas maksimum pencemar yang ditenggang keberadaannya meliputi getaran, kebisingan, dan kebauan yang boleh dikeluarkan dari sumber Emisi. Parameter baku mutu kebauan ditentukan antara lain dengan metode survey atau panel."

Disturbance quality standards represent maximum tolerable limits for vibration, noise, and odor that emission sources may release. Notably, odor parameters use survey or panel methods rather than instrumental measurement alone. This acknowledges the subjective nature of odor perception and the value of community-based assessment.

Mandatory Disturbance Testing

Business operators must conduct disturbance testing.

Pasal 208 Ayat 1:

"(1) Penanggung jawab Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan yang mengeluarkan gangguan sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 207 ayat (2) wajib melakukan uji gangguan."

Every business operator generating disturbances covered by Pasal 207(2) must conduct disturbance testing. This mandatory requirement ensures operators understand their disturbance profiles and can demonstrate compliance with applicable standards.

Testing Methods and Qualifications

Two pathways exist for qualified disturbance testing.

Pasal 208 Ayat 2:

"(2) Uji gangguan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) dilakukan dengan: a. menggunakan laboratorium yang teregistrasi oleh Menteri; dan/atau b. menggunakan personel yang memiliki sertifikat yang diterbitkan oleh lembaga sertifikasi."

Testing may use laboratories registered by the Minister or personnel certified by accredited certification bodies. Laboratory testing provides formal measurement capability with standardized equipment and protocols. Certified personnel enable field assessments for situations where laboratory measurement proves impractical or unnecessary.

The "and/or" construction allows flexibility in selecting appropriate testing approaches. Some disturbances may warrant full laboratory analysis while others suit field assessment by qualified individuals. The regulation accommodates both approaches without mandating a single methodology.

Implementation & Compliance

For Industrial Facilities

Manufacturing operations should identify potential disturbance sources during facility planning. Noise from heavy machinery, odor from process emissions, and vibration from equipment operation all fall within the regulatory scope. Early identification enables design modifications reducing disturbance generation at source.

Baseline disturbance assessment before operations commence establishes reference conditions. Ongoing monitoring during operations tracks disturbance levels against standards and identifies emerging issues before they generate complaints. Documentation of testing results supports compliance demonstration during regulatory inspections.

For Construction Projects

Construction activities generate temporary but often intense disturbances. Pile driving creates both noise and vibration. Heavy equipment operation generates noise throughout work periods. Demolition activities may release odors from disturbed materials.

Construction permits typically include disturbance management conditions. Compliance requires testing to verify adherence to permit conditions. The certified personnel pathway may prove particularly relevant for construction contexts where bringing laboratory equipment to dynamic worksites presents challenges.

For Processing and Manufacturing

Food processing, waste treatment, chemical manufacturing, and similar operations often generate odor impacts requiring careful management. Unlike noise and vibration which can be measured instrumentally, odor assessment may require the survey or panel methods specifically mentioned in the regulation's explanatory notes.

Odor panel assessment uses trained evaluators to characterize odor intensity and character. Community surveys gather information about odor perception from affected populations. Both approaches complement instrumental measurement of odor-causing compounds.

For Testing Service Providers

Laboratories seeking to provide disturbance testing services must obtain Ministry registration. This process likely involves demonstrating appropriate equipment, qualified staff, and quality management systems. Registered laboratories gain the authority to issue compliance test results accepted by regulators.

Personnel certification through accredited certification bodies creates an alternative pathway. Certification requirements likely include demonstrated competency in disturbance measurement techniques, equipment operation, and regulatory requirements. Certified personnel may offer more flexible service delivery than laboratory-based testing.

Conclusion

PP 22/2021's disturbance standards framework addresses the often-overlooked environmental impacts of noise, odor, and vibration. While chemical pollution receives primary attention in environmental regulation, these disturbances significantly affect community quality of life and merit dedicated regulatory treatment.

The five-factor approach to standard-setting balances protection with practicality. Human health protection establishes the fundamental objective while technology availability and economic capability ensure standards remain achievable. Building preservation acknowledges the particular importance of vibration control for structural protection.

The dual testing pathway through registered laboratories or certified personnel accommodates different measurement contexts and disturbance types. This flexibility enables appropriate assessment approaches matching the specific characteristics of each disturbance category while maintaining qualification requirements ensuring test quality.

Official Source

This article analyzes Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 on Environmental Protection and Management Implementation (PP 22/2021), specifically BAB IV (Pasal 207-208) on Disturbance Quality Standards.

The official regulation text can be accessed at:

Primary Source:
PP No. 22 Tahun 2021 - BPK Regulation Portal

Alternative Sources:
- JDIH Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan

Official Gazette: Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2021 Nomor 32

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