Watching the Directives

Plans are being drawn up for a major three-day conference and exhibition covering European electrical and electronic Directives that will run alongside the Drives & Controls Show in Birmingham next May. Called NEEDS - the National Electrical and Electronics Directives Show - the event will include practical workshop sessions on almost every key European directive affecting the manufacturing and industrial sectors.

The workshops will be presented by experts including government officials, independent consultants and regulatory compliance specialists. The Directives to be covered include RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), WEEE (Waste in Electrical and Electronic Equipment), ATEX (the Explosive Atmospheres Directive), the Machinery Safety Directive, the Physical Agents Directive (which covers EMC), and the Low Voltage Directive. There will also be sessions on the IEE`s Wiring Regulations.

Running alongside the conference will be an exhibition of companies and individuals supplying associated equipment and services. These will include consultancies, test houses, and waste management contractors.

NEEDS 2006 will run from 16-18 May at the Birmingham NEC. Details are still being finalised and will be revealed in future issues of Drives & Controls.