The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 has introduced a detailed and complex new set of rules and procedures to promote and advance the social and economic welfare of consumers in South Africa. One of the most important innovations found in the Act is its imposition of strict liability on producers, importers, distributors and retailers for damage caused by defective goods. Product Liability in South Africa attempts to explain some of the theoretical issues surrounding strict liability for products, drawing upon sources not only from South Africa, but also from other jurisdictions with similar regimes. The book also provides guidance on the practical problems raised by the application of the Act.

• Introduction

• The comparative context

• Liability for product defects in contract

• Aquilian liability for product defects

• Strict liability and the standard of defectiveness

• Goods

• Harm and damages

• Causation

• Defendants: the chain of liability

• Defences

• Appendices:
  - Sections 1–6 and 48–61 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008
  - Council Directive on Liability for Defective Products of 25 July 1985