New Product Liability Directive published in Official Journal

The new Product Liability Directive (PLD) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 18 November 2024.

National transposition

The publication triggers the transposition deadline for the Member States, which ends on 9 December 2026. In many jurisdictions, this will require fundamental changes to the existing regime. We will keep you informed about the implementation legislation in selected jurisdictions once they become available over the next two years.

Summary of changes

The new PLD is a gamechanger for manufacturers, importers, distributors, and other service providers. To align the PLD with the digital age, circular economy business models, and global value chains, the reform

• significantly extends the scope to include more economic actors, products, and types of damages,
• introduces new presumptions regarding defects and/or causality,
• grants disclosure rights, and
• modifies liability exemptions as well as expiry periods for latent damages.

Related content

For more information on the PLD and its implications for businesses

• explore our client alert,
• watch our video series, and
• stay tuned for updates on the implementation of the PLD in selected EU Member States.