The objective of this conference is to provide practitioners with an
understanding of the most important recent developments concerning
product liability and product safety. EU legislation aims to achieve an
effective Single Market in terms not only of competition and free
movement but also of consumer protection, by permitting the circulation
only of safe products and by providing consumers with the right to
compensation for any damages incurred.
Leading experts will address the following issues in light of the
latest legislation and jurisprudence from the ECJ and national courts:
- current level of harmonisation on the basis of Directive
85/374/EC and the remaining open questions (notions of ‘product’,
‘causation’, ‘defect’)
- the question of the applicable law (Rome II)
- the burden of proof in product liability cases
- ensuring product safety (standardisation,RAPEX system, IP rights enforcement)
- sectoral matters (chemicals, pharmaceuticals, toys)
The conference will also address important new legislative initiatives,
such as the draft toy safety directive, the adoption of the new ‘goods
package’, the possible introduction of collective redress, and their
potential impact on the above fields. In order to highlight better the
practical aspects of the issues addressed, a case study encouraging
participants’ interaction will be organised.