NIST GCR 01-824
A Guide to the EU Directive Concerning Liability for
Defective Products (Product Liability Directive)
ABSTRACT
This guide (prepared under contract by Helen Delaney and Rene van de Zande, DVZ Joint Ventures) is an easy-to-use introductory reference for industry and government officials on the requirements of the European Union's (EU) Directive Concerning Liability for Defective Products (Product Liability Directive) [85/374/EEC]. It is designed to help business and government officials understand the purpose of the directive, its relationship to other directives, the essential requirements contained in the directive, and the basic steps necessary for compliance. The guide offers explanations of such requirements as: what is covered by the directive; what is excluded from coverage under the directive; definitions; producer defenses; recovery of damages; time limits; contractual obligations; and member state rights. The guide also contains the text of the directive. In addition, the guide references appropriate sections of NIST Special Publication 951: A Guide to EU Standards and Conformity Assessment for further information on some of the generic conformity assessment concepts and requirements of the EU's New Approach.
Key Words: CEN; CENELEC; conformity assessment; defective products; directives; European Union; legal liability; liability; New Approach directives; product liability
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