Due to be implemented across Member States by December 2026, the new EU Product Liability Directive (PLD) introduces a fundamental shift in life sciences legal risk, marked by potential reversals of the burden of proof onto defendants, expanded disclosure obligations and new limitation periods of up to 25 years. When coupled with other EU developments, including the growth of third-party litigation funding, these changes are expected to increase exposure to class actions and multiparty litigation, drive higher insurance costs and make the defence of product liability claims materially more complex for life sciences companies. This session will examine the key changes under the EU PLD and explore their implications for life sciences companies operating across Europe.
