In a joint letter, DOT Europe, together with 7 other leading industry groups, addresses the need for a balanced revision of the Product Liability Directive (PLD) to foster innovation in the EU. The signatories represent a broad coalition of companies, including startups, SMEs, and leading technology firms. We express concern about potential unintended consequences of proposed revisions and urge policymakers to involve stakeholders in the discussions.
Our letter highlights the importance of refining the definition of “product” to accommodate software and avoiding overburdening software developers. We propose measurable definitions for new harms, higher thresholds for disclosure obligations, and safeguards for the burden of proof.
The signatories propose that cybersecurity flaws should not be considered unless there is a breach of relevant EU and national laws, and software manufacturers should only be liable during the expected software lifecycle. We furthermore urge the negotiators to strike a balance between consumer protection and innovation.
Read the full letter: 2023.10.26 Joint industry statement on PLD
