New European ATEX directives that become mandatory on 1 July 2003 are adding significant costs to the products of equipment manufacturers within the hazardous areas and explosive atmospheres sector, says the Institute of Measurement & Control (IM&C).

The IM&C goes on to say: 鈥淐osts are difficult to justify in the European market, which only accounts for one-third of the UK鈥檚 total output.鈥 The new directives are seen as excessive in what manufacturers see as a well regulated market and are disproportionate to its value on a global scale.