A directive from the Council of the European Union (93/104/EC) to protect the health and safety of workers in the European Union. It lays down minimum requirements in relation to working hours, rest periods, annual leave and working arrangements for night workers. The Directive was enacted in UK law as the Working Time Regulations, which took effect from 1 October 1998. The WTD applied to all workers with a few exceptions, including doctors in training. From August 2004 it will be extended to apply to these doctors, although the provisions will be phased in with a maximum hours requirement reducing from 58 hours in 2004 to 48 hours in 2009. (See Department of Health website)