Describes a noise test code for determining, efficiently and under standardized conditions, the noise emission characteristics of portable, hand-held, combustion-engine-powered forest and garden machines, including chain-saws, brush-cutters, grass-trimmers, pole-mounted powered pruners, hedge-trimmers and garden blowers/vacuums. Noise emission characteristics include the A-weighted emission sound pressure level at the operator position and the A-weighted sound power level.