Financial expert explains: End consumers are liable as importers in the event of damage - important for consumers!
According to a report from www.mdr.de, there is important information for consumers who purchase goods outside the EU. Ralf Reichertz, head of the consumer law department at the Thuringia Consumer Center, explains that end consumers can theoretically be considered importers if they resell, rent or borrow products from non-EU countries. This means that in the event of damage, they can be liable for the product that they have brought into the “market”, i.e. the general area in Germany. This is based on the Product Liability Act Paragraph 4 Paragraph 2, which states that persons who import products from countries outside the EU into the European Economic Area can be considered manufacturers. Although …

Financial expert explains: End consumers are liable as importers in the event of damage - important for consumers!
According to a report from www.mdr.de, there is important information for consumers who purchase goods outside the EU. Ralf Reichertz, head of the consumer law department at the Thuringia Consumer Center, explains that end consumers can theoretically be considered importers if they resell, rent or borrow products from non-EU countries. This means that in the event of damage, they can be liable for the product that they have brought into the “market”, i.e. the general area in Germany.
This is based on the Product Liability Act Paragraph 4 Paragraph 2, which states that persons who import products from countries outside the EU into the European Economic Area can be considered manufacturers. Although there is currently no specific case law on this, it is possible that consumers will be liable for damages if they purchase products from retailers outside the EU and distribute them in Germany. Ralf Reichertz emphasizes that consumers should be particularly careful about products with batteries, as shipping batteries is tricky.
The impact of this regulation could mean that consumers become more cautious when purchasing goods outside the EU and need to protect themselves against possible liability risks. This could lead to a decline in imports of goods from non-EU countries as consumers may turn to local products due to liability risks. Companies outside the EU may have to comply with additional safety standards to bring their products into the EU market, which could lead to increased costs and reduced competitiveness.
Overall, the regulation on the liability of consumers as potential importers shows the importance of consumer protection and the need to be aware of the origin and safety of products purchased outside the EU. It is important that consumers are aware of the potential risks and exercise caution in their purchasing decisions.
Read the source article at www.mdr.de