ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to provide a detailed analysis of the most controversial exemption rule of the producers’ objective liability for damages caused by defective products.  Our objective is, on the one hand, to identify the legal and economic policy considerations that led to the creation of the development risk exemption, also known as the state of the art defence. In this perspective, it analyses the legislative process leading up to the Product Liability Directive, which left the decision of the deployment of the development risk exemption to the discretion of Member States as a compromise solution. On the other hand, in this context, the study aims to take a comprehensive overview of the current application of the development risk clause across Member States, while reflecting on the effectiveness of the legal instrument in light of the number of product liability claims in Member States at EU level. This analysis aims to determine whether the liability framework favors or disadvantages injured parties.

keywords

product liability | development risk | burden of proof

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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EUROPEAN UNION DOCUMENTS

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Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on liability for defective products, (Draft directive), 2022.09.28.

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Third report on the application of Council Directive on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning liability for defective products (85/374/EEC of 25 July 1985, amended by Directive 1999/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 1999).

SOURCES OF LAW

Act V of 2013 on the Civil Code.

Act X of 1993 on Product Liability.

Code Civil.

Consumer Protection Act, 1987, UK.

Council Directive of 25 July 1985 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning liability for defective products (85/374/EEC).

Gesetz über den Verkehr mit Arzneimitteln (Arzneimittelgesetz - AMG).

Gesetz über die Haftung für fehlerhafte Produkte (Produkthaftungsgesetz - ProdHaftG).

Royal Legislative Decree 1/2007, of 16 November, Approving the Consolidated Text of the General Consumer and User Protection Act and Other Complementary Laws.

COURT JUDGEMENTS

Judgment of the Court (Fifth Chamber) of 29 May 1997. Commission of the European Communities v United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Case C-300/95. European Court Reports 1997, p. I-0264.