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ARTICLE · 11 JUNE 2026

Key Changes In The Revised German Product Liability Act

Germany's Federal Cabinet has approved a draft bill modernizing the country's product liability framework for the first time since 1989, expanding liability to cover software and AI systems while introducing new evidentiary rules that shift the burden of proof toward manufacturers. The reform extends potential liability to a broader range of economic operators, including online marketplace providers and fulfillment service providers, while establishing extensive disclosure obligations for defendants in prod

GermanyConsumer Protection

The German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection has proposed a draft bill revising the German Product Liability Act (draft German Product Liability Act), which has been adopted by the Federal Cabinet on 17 December 2025 and is currently undergoing the parliamentary legislative process. The draft bill implements the European Product Liability Directive (EU) 2024/2853 and would represent the first major reform of German product liability law since 1989.

The draft German Product Liability Act is intended to modernise Germany’s product liability frame-work to adapt the existing legislation to new technologies, including artificial intelligence, new business models in the circular economy, and new global supply chains. In particular, the definition of ‘product’ is expanded to include software and AI technologies. The draft act also amends evidentiary rules and disclosure obligations in order to ease the burden on consumers pursuing claims. Moreover, it extends liability to

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