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ARTICLE · 05 NOVEMBER 2026

Product Liability Shake Up On The Horizon - Part 2

Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP
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Weightmans LLP

Weightmans LLP

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The UK Law Commission's first review of product liability law in nearly 50 years proposes sweeping reforms that could fundamentally alter how manufacturers, suppliers, and insurers approach liability for defective products. With expanded definitions covering digital products, AI systems, and social media platforms, alongside new categories of potentially liable parties and extended limitation periods, these changes may significantly increase exposure for businesses across the supply chain.

United KingdomConsumer Protection
Karyn Brannigan
Karyn Brannigan

Proposed reforms could reshape the UK’s product liability landscape, with significant implications for insurers, manufacturers and suppliers.

We previously advised that the UK Law Commission had launched its first review of product liability in almost 50 years: Product liability shake up on the horizon | Weightmans

By way of recap, in August 2025, the UK Law Commission launched its first review of product liability law in almost 50 years, with a particular focus on digital products and emerging technologies such as AI. Following an initial scoping exercise towards the end of 2025, the Law Commission then published its terms of reference for the review of the law relating to liability for defective products.

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