A forthcoming new law involving product recalls – including company vehicles –could have serious implications, an industry expert is warning.

The European Union’s General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), which was implemented in January last year and comes into force later this year, extends the responsibility to other ‘distributors’ in the supply chain for product safety recalls, including vehicles.

Automotive services company MSX International warns that ‘distributors’ could face legal ramifications if they fail to meet their new obligations of ensuring affected vehicles on a fleet are notified to an authority, recalled and fixed.

Bill Starling, senior consultant with the company, says: “The legislation imposes new responsibilities on manufacturers regarding the monitoring and rectification of safety concerns through recall or other positive action.

“It also extends the responsibility for action to others in the supply chain, including distributors.”

The Department for Trade and Industry has completed a consultation process for the new legislation, which is expected to become law in the autumn.

  • Log on to www.dti.gov.uk for details