Directive

A directive is a legal document established by the Council of the European Union. Each member state must then transpose it into its national law. The Directive is published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
The employment inspection services and the DREAL (regional French government offices) are responsible for making sure businesses are monitored. When a product does not meet the essential requirements of the directive, penalties may be imposed (withdrawal from the market, etc.).

In the lifting sector, the Directive concerned is the Machinery Directive 2006/12/EC. This requires the presence on electric winches of an emergency stop and, in lifting, a limiter switch, as well as a load limiter above 1000 kg.