Proposed Product Liability Directive revision may undermine Europe’s competitiveness – Joint Industry Statement

For decades, Europe has benefitted from an effective and balanced product liability regime, as set out under the 1985 Product Liability Directive (PLD). These rules have been supplemented by years of EU and member-state case law and jurisprudence. This has further helped maintain the important balance between ensuring manufacturers can innovate and that consumers have fair access to compensation.

It is a testament to the effectiveness of the PLD that only one amendment has been made to the directive (in 1999) since its publication. However, the past 23 years have brought significant change, progress and development; and this transformation has made clear the need for rules to ensure this progress benefits both businesses and consumers.

Unfortunately, Europe today is facing fundamental questions about its ability to compete, particularly against the backdrop of the current economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The PLD revision will only serve to deepen such concerns for European firms, as a rise in litigation and speculative claims is expected as a consequence of the new concepts the revision introduces.

Read the full statement below.