This study provided technical input to an Impact Assessment (IA) to support the possible revision of the Product Liability Directive 85/374/EEC. The overarching objective was to collect data, quantify benefits and costs, and identify, analyse and measure the possible impacts of the policy options.
The study came at an important time for the Commission, given that digital transition is one of the central policy cornerstones of the Von der Leyen Presidency in 2019-2024 and the fact that the development of digital technologies in general, and Industry 4.0 technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and other new technologies, in particular, are having a considerable impact on the evolution of existing, and the development of new EU legislation.
It included data collection and processing across EU MS and third countries (with benchmarking in selected third countries, e.g. the legal framework on AI and civil liabilities in the US, product liability rules internationally); questionnaire drafting, surveying techniques and tools; cost-benefit analysis.