Ignition Override
It's taken me a while to come across this thread. Now, to bring things back to your question:
The European JAA has not yet agreed on a common European duty/flight time limitations (Jar Ops 1 subpart Q), so it's still currently done on an individual national basis. As different countries/airlines have different regulations this has surely an impact on operating costs.
Here in Spain the flt/duty limitations are spelled out on CO 16-B. Duty time (usually the limiting factor) is based on crew reporting local time and number of ldgs and so are rest periods. Maximum hours/minimum days off for any 28 day or yearly are also limited (it's all pretty complicated just to give rosterers a bit of a hard time). Unlike FAR 121 a heavy crew is required if flt time exceeds 10 or 11 hrs (again based on reporting time). Duty limits can be streched up to 2 hrs at capt's discretion for unforseeable circumstances (a report has to be made).
Now, since this reg allows airlines a generous width, individual airline contracts further restrict legal flt/duty/rest limits. (Labour agreements obviously cannot be less restrictive than regs).
And yes, here too this (especially its horrors) is the favourite subject at any crew lounge or whenever any number of CMs get together. Hope it helps clarify. Cheers.