How should product liability law adapt to connected products, software and AI? The Law Commission is seeking views on potential reforms, with its consultation open until 14th January 2027.
As connected products and software-driven technologies continue to evolve, governments and regulators around the world are examining how existing legal frameworks should adapt.
The UK’s Law Commission has launched a consultation exploring how product liability law in England and Wales should respond to these developments.
The review considers whether the current framework, including the Consumer Protection Act 1987, remains fit for purpose in an era of increasingly interconnected products, digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
Areas under consideration include:
– Software and AI: How product liability rules should apply to software, AI systems and digitally delivered products
– Supply chain responsibilities: The respective responsibilities of manufacturers, suppliers, online marketplaces and other parties
– Product defects: How defects should be assessed as products become more complex and software-dependent
– Data damage: Whether liability should extend to the destruction or corruption of data
– Product modifications: How liability should be addressed when products are updated, adapted or modified after they enter the market
These questions are particularly relevant to the IoT ecosystem, where hardware, software, connectivity and security increasingly intersect.
Although this consultation concerns the law of England and Wales, its proposals may be of interest to IoTSF members worldwide, offering an insight into how one jurisdiction is approaching the legal challenges associated with connected and intelligent products.
The consultation provides an opportunity for businesses, technology developers, industry associations and other stakeholders to contribute their experience and perspectives.
Find out more and have your say
The consultation closes on Thursday 14th January 2027.
Click HERE to read the proposals and find details of how to respond on the Law Commission’s Product Liability project page.
The IoTSF encourages members across its global community to follow developments in product liability law and consider whether the proposals have implications for their organisations or markets.