"Made in China" and product liability law
The phrase "Made in China" certainly attracted plenty of negative attention in the UK during 2007. Throughout the year there were numerous product recalls of goods made in China, notably for a number of children's toys, something that is always likely to make consumers nervous.
But it was not just in the UK that consumers who purchased faulty or defective Chinese goods were forced to consider whether product liability law entitled them to claim compensation. Right across the EU, half of all dangerous goods notifications served were for goods made in China.
The US was no different. In 2007 nearly 70% of all products recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission involved products manufactured in China.
Many product liability law specialists have commented on how inevitable such a situation is when a still developing country has managed to secure virtual monopolies on the global export of so many popular goods.
Hundreds of class-action compensation claims were initiated against a leading pet food company in the US after it emerged that a large quantity of its Chinese-sourced pet foods were unfit for consumption. As a consequence, the company in question have incurred quite severe financial losses and lost invaluable consumer confidence.
Against this background of global trade it can be difficult to remember that defective Chinese goods affected thousands of individuals. Take the case of the pet food company. Those affected have been left claiming compensation either for the cost of burying poisoned pets or for care costs of pets left permanently ill by the contaminated food. Then, of course, there are the general damages to be paid for the enduring emotional distress suffered by owners.
Back in the UK, Chinese manufacturers and trade officials have considerable work to do in order to rescue the image of "brand China". Few things can damage a country's trade reputation more than goods that are dangerous to children. With more than 10 million Chinese toys being recalled in the UK during 2007, it is clear that Chinese leaders and manufacturers will need to act promptly and decisively if they wish to restore consumer confidence.
Yet it is apparent that the Chinese government, unaccustomed to dealing with a free media, are struggling to cope with the aftermath. The Chinese health minister sounded unconvincing when he said, "I want to tell everyone that they can have confidence in the quality of Chinese products and food safety."
Many China trade experts such as Christopher Devereux, managing director of ChinaSavvy, see this as an inadequate and complacent response to a very real problem. During a mass recall of one popular children's toy, he commented, "There's no excuse to let so much product go through with lead in its paint. They should be testing. It's not difficult. There are hundreds of quality control laboratories in China."
No win, no fee product liability lawyers
If you are adversely affected by faulty or defective products, it is your right as a consumer to claim compensation.
This is one of the legal principles underpinning the UK economic system and YouClaim understand it as well as anyone.
Our product liability lawyers uphold the very highest industry standards and have years of experience in successfully helping people claim the product liability compensation they deserve.
Win or lose, claiming with us is a completely cost free process and our 100% compensation promise ensures that no-one ever takes a cut from the damages award of any winning claimant.
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