VDI 3940 Blatt 6:2025-07 - Draft

According to §3 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG), odours are classified as nuisances when certain criteria are met. Adverse health effects can not be excluded in the case of disgusting or nauseating odours. This requires an increased inspection effort by the competent authority. So far, there was no standardized approach to determine whether an oudour is disgusting or nauseating. The standard offers assistance with an objective standardised procedure via a questionnaire. With this procedure, the disgust potential of the odour quality of a facility is determined step by step at the points of emission and exposure. If the critical disgust potential is reached or exceeded at the place of exposure, the odour quality of the facility as disgusting can be justified. In this case, a health hazard and no longer a significant nuisance can be assumed. Consequently, there is an immediate need for action. The standard supplements the technical regulations relating to the measurement and assessment of odours in ambient air (DIN EN 13725, DIN EN 16841-1 and DIN EN 16841-2, VDI 3940 Part 3 to Part 5, VDI 3880, VDI 3883 Part 1 to Part 4, VDI 3884 Part 1) and the regulations of TA Luft Annex 7.

13.040.20