News
- New liability rules announced, 6 December 2024
- Provisional agreement on updating PLD, 14 December 2023
- Revisions to the PLD, 18 October 2022
- Press release on new liability rules, 28 September 2022
- New liability rules on AI, 28 September 2022
The 1985 directive
The first Product Liability Directive was adopted in 1985, establishing the EU liability framework that ensured that victims of defective products could claim compensation from the producer in case of harm. The scope of this directive was extended in 1999 to include agricultural products.
The 1985 directive applies to any products put into circulation in the EU, including European Economic Area (EEA). The Commission clarified in 1988 that the product liability also covered software.
Victims can claim compensation for any physical damage suffered or damage to any item of property of a value of more than €500, and limited to those intended for private use or consumption.
- Directive 85/374/EEC on liability for defective products was adopted in 1985
- Directive 1999/34/EC extended the scope of liability to agricultural products
- First report on the application of Directive 85/374/EEC concerning liability for defective products (1995)
- Second report on the application of the Directive 85/374/EEC concerning liability for defective products (2000)
- Third report on the application of the Directive 85/374/EEC concerning liability for defective products (2006)
- Fourth report on the application of the Directive 85/374/EEC concerning liability for defective products (2011)
- Fifth report on the application of the Directive 85/374/EEC concerning liability for defective products (2018)