This part of ISO 8579 specifies the instructions and standardized conditions necessary for the determination of the airborne sound emission of gear units and gearmotors. It also specifies the allowed measurement methods, together with the operating and mounting conditions used for the test.

This part of ISO 8579 has the aim of ensuring, with its use, the reproducibility of the determination of the airborne sound emission characteristics within specified limits determined by the grade of accuracy of the basic measurement method used. The sound measurement methods allowed by this part of ISO 8579 are engineering methods (grade 2) and survey methods (grade 3).