Product Liability of Online Platforms and in Global Value Chains

• Author: Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell

Speaker

Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell holds the position of Professor of Commercial Law at Carlos III University of Madrid in Spain. In 2022, she was appointed as an Academic Visitor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge. Teresa has also been recognized as a 2022 Sir Roy Goode Scholar at UNIDROIT and has served as an Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration of Madrid and Spain.

She plays a significant role in shaping legal standards for emerging technologies. Teresa is a Member of the EU Expert Group on Liability/Technologies and has contributed to the report on Liability for AI and other emerging technologies. She also participates in the EU Observatory on Platform Economy and the Expert Group on B2B Data Sharing and Cloud Computing, assisting in creating Model Contract Terms and Standard Contracts.

Teresa has extensive international involvement, working with UNIDROIT, UNCITRAL, and representing Spain in UNCITRAL Working Groups. She is a Member of the Inclusive Global Legal Innovation Platform (IGLIP) on Online Dispute Resolution. Within the European Law Institute (ELI), Teresa holds important roles, including membership on the ELI Council and Executive Committee.

Topic

This presentation delves into the critical aspects of platforms' responsibilities as mandated by the Digital Services Act (DSA). It focuses on key areas such as the traceability of traders, the scope of liability exemption, and the necessary revisions to the Product Liability Directive and other related legislation within this context.

The Digital Services Act, which is a pivotal piece of legislation in the ever-evolving digital landscape, places certain obligations on online platforms to ensure a safer and more accountable online environment. Let's break down these three key areas:

Traceability of Traders: The DSA requires platforms to implement mechanisms that enhance the traceability of traders using their services. This is crucial in the fight against illegal and harmful content, counterfeit products, and the anonymity that can sometimes be exploited for malicious purposes. Ensuring the traceability of traders helps create a safer and more transparent...