Because sound measurement is complex and not easily understood, consumers don’t have
time to evaluate and compare the sound output of each product, yet an ear-splitting juicer
sounding off every morning, pings and bleeps from appliances, a rumbling shower pump or
annoying extractor affects concentration, makes one irritated and builds up unnecessary
stress which can affect health negatively in the long term.

The Quiet Mark team felt it was very important for consumers and trade buyers to have an expert definitive
guide to the quietest products currently on the market, year on year, across all product
categories. Quiet Mark was created as the trusted third-party certification programme to
serve public health, supported by expert acoustic evaluation.

In order for non-sound emitting, acoustic enhancing building materials and office furniture to achieve Quiet Mark certification, manufacturers are required to submit full acoustic test reports to the Quiet Mark technical team, as well as information on the different types of buildings and/or environments it could be present at. The testing, carried out to exacting ISO standards, should show the effect of sound when interacting with the product or surface. For acoustically designed products, like the BlockO and BlockO Base, need to demonstrate an acoustic benefit, such as sound absorption (to reduce reverberation and provide good speech conditions) as well as sound attenuation (to stop the spread of speech from within the booth to other areas and vice versa).