The European Union’s new Product Liability Directive marks a major shift in the legal landscape for businesses. The Directive both expands liability and shifts the burden of proof in many instances on the producer, with potentially significant consequences for manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors.

Registration is free and you can sign up to attend here. 

To raise awareness of these effects and help businesses and lawyers prepare, the Irish Centre for European Law (ICEL), in partnership with Ibec, will host Product Liability Reform in the EU: What It Means for Ireland on Wednesday 19 November 2025, from 15:00 to 17:00 in person in Ibec, 84-86  Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2.

Chaired by the Hon Michael Peart, former judge of the Court of Appeal and Mediator, the event will feature contributions from Sarah Reid BL, Law Library on the complexities of implementing the PLD within Ireland’s common law system, highlighting the tension between the Directive’s liability model and existing tort doctrines, and what this means for future litigation.

Simon Neill of Johnson & Johnson will provide an overview of the new Directive, the context for the new legislation and how it is being transposed in other Member States. His remarks will frame the key challenges facing Irish and multinational businesses under the new regime.

A roundtable discussion featuring, Michael Finn, Bird & Bird and David Morkan, Cook Medical, among other, will share perspectives from law, technology, and industry on mitigating risk, adapting compliance, and responding to the new liability framework.

This event offers essential insight for legal, policy, and business leaders into the significant practical impacts of the Directive. With Europe’s liability landscape rapidly evolving, understanding these reforms will be vital for every business, policy makers, and legal practitioners.

Attendees will qualify for two CPD points in the general/legal knowledge category.

Light refreshments will be available after the event.