Divers across Europe are joining the campaign started by UK divers against changes to valve fittings for nitrox and trimix cylinders. The UK's Health and Safety Executive had fought to prevent the fitting becoming compulsory, however, was out-voted when the new standard was created, as reported by DIVE in June.

Diver Peter Slegg from Hertfordshire set up a petition against the EU standard which requires a specific pillar valve to be fitted for cylinders containing more than 22-per-cent oxygen. The M26 valve thread is similar to the well-known DIN fitting, however, it is a different size and not compatible with most regulator set-ups.

French, Slovenian, Czech and Portuguese divers have also set up various petitions against the valve change, which will become European law in August 2008.

'Hopefully the international diving community can stop this law and discourage the European Union from interfering in subjects that they clearly have little understanding of,' Slegg told DIVE.

The petition can be accessed at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SCUBA-valves/#detail