Product risk and liability

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Briefings in English - 2010

Nanotechnologies may involve the manipulation of materials on a tiny scale, but industry and governments agree that they have the potential to deliver massive economic and social benefits.The challenge now for businesses and regulators alike is to exploit the opportunities presented by these technologies in a way that is both safe and sustainable. This briefing looks at existing regulation and government strategies in the EU, which aim to shape a nano-enabled future. (June 2010)

A recent European Commission Decision sets out new guidelines on how to assess the risks associated with non-food consumer products under the General Product Safety (GPS) regime. Companies deciding whether to take corrective action (including whether to recall products) and whether to notify regulators about a safety issue need to know what the guidelines say. We have talked to the European Commission and have obtained further guidance on the new rules, which is outlined in this briefing. (February 2010)

Briefings in English - 2009

As we approach the first anniversary of the coming into force of the UK’s Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (the Regulations), this briefing considers their impact to date and the potential for tougher enforcement in the future.

Briefings in English - 2008

China’s contaminated milk scandal will have far-reaching implications for companies involved in food production in that country. (October 2008)

In the first 10 months of 2007, the European Commission received 56 per cent more consumer safety alerts from EU member states than in the same period in 2006. What is driving this high level of activity in the EU? This report answers this and other questions on the basis of a major international study into industry attitudes to product safety and recall in the EU. (March 2008)

A rapidly evolving landscape. (February 2008)

An update to the June 2007 guide, Class actions and third party funding of litigation.

The increasing regulation of the food industry in Europe is an inevitable consequence of the EU’s policy of strengthening consumer confidence in food safety and harmonising laws and regulations to ensure the free movement of food and feed. (February 2008)

Briefings in English - 2007

An overview of collective actions and D&O liabilities in England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. (March 2007)

Briefings in English - 2006

The following material, written by Ulrike Rein and Dávid Kőhegyi, provides a broad overview of recent issues in product liability law in Hungary. This article appeared in the 2006 edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Product Liability; published and reproduced with kind permission by Global Legal Group Ltd, London (www.iclg.co.uk) (September 2006)

Briefings in German - 2009

In Österreich wird seit längerem – und seit der Verschärfung der Finanzkrise noch intensiver – über die gesetzliche Regelung von Massenverfahren diskutiert. Es liegt dazu bereits ein Entwurf zur Änderung der Zivilprozessordnung vor, in deren 5. Abschnitt ein solches Massenverfahren (§§ 619 ff ZPO) eingeführt werden soll. Ziel dieses Entwurfes ist es, Ansprüche einer Vielzahl von Personen, die jeweils in einem engen rechtlichen oder faktischen Zusammenhang stehen, in Hinkunft gebündelt und möglichst ökonomisch im Rahmen eines sogenannten Gruppenverfahrens geltend machen zu können. (März 2009)

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