The Lifts Directive sets essential health and safety requirements for the design and construction of lifts and safety components.

The Lifts Directive applied to permanently installed lifts in buildings and structures and relates specifically to personnel lifts and lifts that are used to carry personnel and goods. Not included in the Directive are: cable installations, lifts for military purposes, mine lifts, theatre hoists, lifts that are installed in means of transport, lifts that are connected to a machine, rack railways and construction lifts.

The Lifts Directive 95/16/EC will take effect on 1st July 1997 and has a transition period until 30th June 1999.