Legal Framework
法律框架
The legal framework for product liability within the EU is primarily governed by Directive 85/374/EEC, which establishes the principles of liability for defective products. Under this directive, both producers and suppliers can be held liable for damages caused by defects in their products. The CJEU's recent decision further clarifies the extent of this liability and the conditions under which joint liability can be established, including the impact of trademarks.
欧盟产品责任的法律框架主要由指令85/374/EEC规定，该指令确立了有关缺陷产品的责任原则。根据该指令，生产商和供应商都可能因其产品缺陷对造成损害承担责任。欧洲法院（CJEU）近期的裁决进一步明确了这种责任的范围以及在何种情况下可以建立共同责任，包括商标的影响。
The Court's Decision
法院裁决
The CJEU's ruling stems from a case involving a defective household appliance that caused significant property damage. The plaintiff sought compensation from both the producer and the supplier of the appliance, arguing that both parties should be held jointly liable for the damages incurred.
欧洲法院的裁决源自一起涉及缺陷家电产品的案件，该产品导致了重大财产损失。原告要求从家电生产商和供应商处获得赔偿，主张两方应对所发生的损害承担共同责任。
The CJEU upheld the plaintiff's claim, emphasizing that the directive's objective is to ensure a high level of consumer protection. The court noted that the producer and supplier both play crucial roles in the product's lifecycle and, therefore, share responsibility for ensuring its safety. The decision underscores that joint liability can be established when both parties have contributed to the defect or failed to take necessary precautions to prevent it. Additionally, the court highlighted the role of trademarks in establishing liability.
欧洲法院支持了原告的主张，强调指令目的是确保消费者得到较高的保护。法院指出，生产商和供应商在产品生命周期中都扮演着至关重要的角色，因此应共同负责确保产品的安全。裁决明确表示，当两方在产品缺陷形成过程中都有责任，或未采取必要预防措施时，可以建立共同责任。同时，法院还强调了商标在确定责任中的作用。
The CJEU's ruling on joint liability of suppliers and producers marks a significant development in EU product liability law. By holding both parties accountable for product safety, the decision aims to enhance consumer protection and ensure that victims of defective products receive adequate compensation. The ruling also underscores the importance of trademarks in establishing liability. Businesses must take proactive measures to comply with safety standards, reassess their contractual and insurance arrangements, and ensure proper use of trademarks to mitigate potential risks.
欧洲法院关于供应商和生产商共同承担责任的裁决，标志着欧盟产品责任法的重要发展，通过让两方共同为产品安全承担责任，该裁决旨在加强消费者保护，确保因缺陷产品受害的消费者能够获得充分赔偿。裁决还强调了商标在建立责任中的重要性。企业必须采取积极措施，遵守安全标准，重新评估其合同和保险安排，并确保商标正确使用，以减少潜在风险。
Key Findings
Joint Liability: The CJEU confirmed that suppliers and producers can be held jointly liable for damages caused by defective products. This joint liability is not contingent on the degree of fault but rather on the shared responsibility for the product's safety.
共同责任：欧洲法院确认供应商和生产商可以因缺陷产品对损害承担共同责任。这种共同责任不取决于过错程度，而是基于对产品安全的共同责任。
Due Diligence: The ruling highlights the importance of due diligence in the supply chain. Both suppliers and producers must ensure that their products comply with safety standards and regulations. Failure to do so can result in joint liability for any resulting damages.
尽职调查：裁决强调供应链中尽职调查的重要性。供应商和生产商必须确保其产品符合安全标准和规定。未能做到这一点可能会导致对由此产生的损害承担共同责任。
Consumer Protection: The decision reinforces the EU's commitment to consumer protection by holding all parties in the supply chain accountable for product safety. This approach aims to provide consumers with effective remedies and ensure that they are adequately compensated for damages caused by defective products.
消费者保护：该裁决强化了欧盟在消费者保护方面的承诺，通过让供应链中所有方都对产品安全负责。这一做法旨在为消费者提供有效救济，确保他们因缺陷产品所受的损害能够得到充分赔偿。
Impact of Trademarks: The court emphasized the role of trademarks in establishing liability. Points 36 and 37 of the decision highlight that the use of a trademark can create an expectation of quality and safety among consumers. Points 43 and 44 further elaborate that when a trademark is used, both the producer and supplier are perceived as endorsing the product's safety. Points 47 and 48 underscore that the misuse of a trademark, or failure to ensure the product meets the standards associated with the trademark, can contribute to establishing joint liability.
商标的影响：法院强调了商标在确定责任中的作用。裁决第36和37条指出，商标使用可能会在消费者中产生关于产品质量和安全的预期。（即：当一个产品使用了商标，消费者通常会认为该产品符合一定的质量和安全标准。换句话说，商标会让消费者对产品的质量和安全产生信赖感。）
第43和44条进一步阐述，当商标被使用时，生产商和供应商被视为共同认可产品的安全性。（即：如果一个产品带有商标，那么消费者可能会认为，不仅是生产商，连供应商也在“背书”（endorse）这个产品的安全性。这意味着，供应商也可能被视为对产品安全承担责任，而不仅仅是生产商。）第47和48条则强调，商标误用或未能确保产品符合与商标相关的标准，可能有助于建立共同责任。（即：如果某一方（无论是生产商还是供应商）滥用了商标，或者没有确保产品符合商标所代表的质量和安全标准，那么他们可能会因为商标的误导作用而被认定要承担共同责任）
Implications for Businesses
对企业的影响
The CJEU's decision has significant implications for businesses involved in the production and distribution of consumer goods. Companies should take the following steps to mitigate potential risks:
欧洲法院的裁决对参与消费品生产和分销企业具有重要意义。企业应采取以下措施以减轻潜在风险：
Reassess Contracts: Review and update contractual agreements with suppliers and producers to clearly define responsibilities and liability for product defects.
重新评估合同：审查并更新与供应商和生产商的合同协议，明确界定产品缺陷的责任和义务。
Enhance Compliance: Implement robust compliance programs to ensure that all products meet safety standards and regulations. Regular audits and inspections can help identify and address potential issues before they result in liability.
加强合规性：实施健全的合规程序，确保所有产品符合安全标准和规定。定期的审计和检查有助于在问题产生之前发现并解决潜在的风险。
Liability Insurance: Consider obtaining or updating liability insurance policies to cover potential claims arising from defective products. This can provide financial protection in the event of joint liability.
责任保险：考虑购买或更新责任保险，以覆盖因缺陷产品产生的潜在索赔。这可以在共同责任情况下提供财务保护。
Trademark Strategy: Ensure that trademarks are used appropriately and that products bearing the trademark meet the associated quality and safety standards. This can help mitigate the risk of joint liability arising from trademark misuse.
商标战略：确保商标的使用符合规定，并确保使用商标产品符合相关质量和安全标准。这有助于减少因商标误用而导致的共同责任风险。
Five Key Takeaways
五个关键要点
Joint Liability: Suppliers and producers can be held jointly liable for damages caused by defective products, regardless of the degree of fault.
共同责任：无论过错程度如何，供应商和生产商可以对缺陷产品造成的损害承担共同责任。
Due Diligence: Companies must ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations to avoid joint liability.
尽职调查：企业必须确保符合安全标准和规定，以避免承担共同责任。
Consumer Protection: The ruling reinforces the EU's commitment to consumer protection by holding all parties in the supply chain accountable for product safety.
消费者保护：该裁决强化了欧盟在消费者保护方面的承诺，通过让供应链中的所有方都对产品安全负责。
Impact of Trademarks: The use and misuse of trademarks play a crucial role in establishing liability, emphasizing the need for proper trademark strategies.
商标的影响：商标的使用和误用在建立责任中起着关键作用，强调了企业需要妥善管理商标策略。
Contractual and Insurance Review: Businesses should reassess their contractual agreements and liability insurance policies to mitigate potential risks arising from this ruling.
合同与保险审查：企业应重新评估合同协议和责任保险政策，以减轻这一裁决带来的潜在风险。