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ARTICLE · 16 JANUARY 2026

The New Product Liability Directive

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The new Product Liability Directive ("PLD") replaced the old Product Liability Directive (Directive 85/375/EEC) and aims to bring the European Union's product liability regime...

BelgiumConsumer Protection
Bart Heynickx
Bart Heynickx
Lauranne Truyens
Lauranne Truyens
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The new Product Liability Directive ("PLD") replaced the old Product Liability Directive (Directive 85/375/EEC) and aims to bring the European Union's product liability regime 'up to speed' with the digital age, circular economy business models and global supply chains. It also focuses on improving the harmonisation of the common rules on liability for defective products and tackling the difficulties faced by victims when gathering evidence to prove product liability. This blog focuses on the main changes the PLD brings.

Entry into force

The PLD entered into force on 8 December 2024. The PLD applies to products placed on the market or put into service after 9 December 2026 (Article 2). As a result, the PLD should be transposed into Belgian law by this date.

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