These Regulations implement the third subparagraph of Article 17(5) of Directive 2003/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time (OJ No. L299, 18.11.2003, p. 9).

Regulation 2 amends regulation 25A of the Working Time Regulations 1998. These amendments provide for the 48 hour working time limit for doctors in training to be increased to 52 hours for certain doctors in training until 31st July 2011. Regulation 3 inserts a new Schedule 2A into the Working Time Regulations 1998, which lists those categories of doctors in training to whom this 52 hour working time limit applies.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for these Regulations as they have no impact on the costs of business, charities or voluntary bodies.