Product Risk Insights

17 March 2008

Welcome to our March edition of Product Risk Insights, in which we consider the legal issues associated with the manufacture and distribution of products cover a broad spectrum of potential legal risk, not just product liability.

We look at the new ACCC guidelines regarding environmental claims; liability in nuisance for products causing emissions, issues relating to international product regulations, product safety reforms and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission.

And finally, an early Happy Easter!

It's not easy being green: ACCC cracks down on environmental claims

By Kirsten Webb and Nick Thomas.

Being green is a big selling point these days for many products, but how can you make these claims without falling foul of the Trade Practices Act? Kirsten Webb and Nick Thomas look for answers in new guidelines.

A nuisance or a nonsense? Liability for products with greenhouse emissions

By Peter Briggs and Callan O'Neill.

Will climate change prompt a wave of litigation against manufacturers and suppliers? Peter Briggs and Callan O'Neil examine the current state of play.

Grin and bear it: Product regulations, international treaties and trade agreements

By Stuart Clark and Jocelyn Kellam.

Manufacturers must comply with various product standards and regimes, but without international harmonisation they will simply have to grin and bear it, say S Stuart Clark and Jocelyn Kellam.

A sense of deja vu: Proposed reforms to Australia's consumer policy framework

By Jocelyn Kellam.

Jocelyn Kellam looks at the future shape of Australian product liability law, and gets an uneasy feeling. Does she have deja vu, real concern - or both?

From baby bath aids to Bindeez: A roundup of recent product safety developments

By Madeleine Kearney.

While the rest of Australia was off over the Christmas - New Year break with other tasks, the ACCC was busy issuing product safety warnings, interim banning orders and product safety guidelines, as well as monitoring product recalls. Madeleine Kearney sees what they did on their holidays.

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