Your Guide To Regulatory Trends In Product Compliance & What To Expect In 2024

Overview

2023 saw the trend of growth in product regulation continue with more proposals being tabled as well as long anticipated measures entering into force.

There are a number of common themes that underpin policy makers’ agendas worldwide and it is these that are the focus of recent measures. Namely, sustainability, new technologies, human rights, as well as the continued overarching concern of safety.

The EU again leads the way on many of these measures, while the UK seeks to assert its sovereignty on a number of matters. The net result is an undoubtedly complex regulatory landscape challenging for even the most seasoned product manufacturers to navigate.

Additionally, the passing of the transposition deadline for the EU Representative Actions Directive makes the EU a more worrying place to fall foul of compliance.

Based on our highly attended webinar “Regulatory Trends In Product Compliance & What To Expect In 2024,” in partnership with Kennedys LLP, we’ve distilled the knowledge shared by our regulatory subject matter experts into this handy document.

This guide serves as your go-to resource for understanding how to navigate product compliance in 2024.

Dive in, explore, and equip yourself with the insights necessary to navigate the evolving landscape product compliance regulations.

This Guide Covers FAQs Such As:

• KPIs for implementing GPSR
• Products affected by the ESPR
• Automotive and ESPR
• What products are contained within the Cybersecurity Act
• Sustainability regulations in force in the UK
• How to stay on top of changing regulations
• And much more…

*This guide was originally published on 8th April, 2024. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

Authors

Thomas Panter, Legal Director, Kennedys

Tom is a Legal Director in Kennedys London commercial team specialising in products law, with a broad practice in this area covering product safety, regulation, compliance and litigated disputes, including group (or “class”) actions.

He acts for a diverse range of corporates and insurers including consumer goods, technology, life sciences, industrial and automotive sectors.

His work has an international focus touching upon the full product lifecycle from product regulatory work including global product launches, ongoing regulatory compliance, recall and dealing with product related claims, including mass tort, class action and collective redress.

Sarah-Jane Dobson, Partner, Kennedys

Sarah-Jane is a partner in Kennedys’ London office. She is an international products lawyer, acting on regulatory, litigious and policy matters across the full product life cycle in respect of product safety, compliance and product liability issues.

Her practice is focused on multi-jurisdictional matters for corporate clients across a range of sectors including consumer goods, cosmetics, chemicals, food and beverages, life sciences, industrial and regulatory compliance and global product recalls.

Her product liability work includes managing large portfolios of international product liability claims, advising on product safety, inquests, public inquiries, judicial reviews and anti-competitive practices and advertising.
Her policy work has focused on assisting clients responding to legislative change, including Brexit, change of regimes (medical devices) and new legislation (collective redress and product sustainability.
She has advised clients in respect of submissions to law makers regarding proposed change.

Louise Forrest, Barrister & Legal Consultant, Kennedys

Louise is a consultant in Kennedys corporate and commercial division and works as part of their London products law and life sciences team as an international products lawyer.
Louise is a qualified Irish barrister, receiving her barrister-in-law degree from Kings Inns, Dublin in 2002. She has many years’ experience across industry, practice, research and academia.

Prior to joining Kennedys, Louise led a team of international product regulatory consultants for a global provider of market access and product compliance SaaS solutions to world leading brands, helping those companies ensure product compliance. Through this work, Louise gained in depth knowledge of the changing product regulatory landscape across a wide range of regulated areas including safety, chemicals, design, energy efficiency, batteries, packaging, labelling, waste, due diligence, cybersecurity, food contact materials, environmental, social & governance, occupational, health and safety and environmental, health and safety.

Louise advises on matters across all stages of the lifecycle of the product, from product launches, product recalls and ongoing regulatory compliance. Her work is multi-jurisdictional and encompasses a wide range of products, such as electrical electronic equipment and textiles.