Products and conformity · France / Switzerland
Defective product: preserve damage evidence
France and Switzerland distinguish damage caused by a product from a buyer’s ordinary conformity claim. Prepare the product identity, alleged safety defect, actual damage and evidence connecting them. Preserve the item and incident records before drawing conclusions. Producer, importer and seller roles require their own examination, and this evidence organiser does not determine liability or compensation.
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France: which defect evidence should be preserved ?
Keep the product, packaging, identifiers, instructions and observations. A malfunction does not automatically prove every liability condition.
Read the referencesYour question concerns “Defective product: preserve damage evidence”. Which document should we examine, and does your matter concern France or Switzerland?
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France: how does this differ from a conformity claim ?
The task concerns harm caused by the product, beyond repairing or replacing the purchased item.
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1
France: which defect evidence should be preserved ?
Keep the product, packaging, identifiers, instructions and observations. A malfunction does not automatically prove every liability condition.
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1
France: how should damage be recorded ?
Separate injury, affected property and documented costs. Connect each alleged consequence to its supporting record.
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1
How can you connect the facts and records in your file?
Complete the file references. The initial values illustrate a fictional case; they are not observed product results.
Fictional example · Product defect and damage evidence map
- Product
- Device A
- Incident
- Overheating during use
- Damage
- Nearby property damaged
- Evidence
- Photos and retained report
This worksheet organises records; it does not establish admissibility, entitlement or a procedural outcome.
France: why identify the producer and supply roles ?
Producer, component manufacturer, importer and seller do not necessarily have identical roles. Use the actual supply documents.
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1
Switzerland: what product evidence belongs in the file ?
Preserve the identifiable item and incident condition. Avoid irreversible changes before necessary examination is organised.
LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
Which official provision helps explain this situation?
Le producteur est responsable du dommage causé par un défaut de son produit, qu'il soit ou non lié par un contrat avec la victime.
The task concerns harm caused by the product, beyond repairing or replacing the purchased item.
Switzerland: why keep defect and damage separate ?
An observed anomaly and an actual loss are different proof questions. Document both without assuming liability from one alone.
LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
Switzerland: how should the causal account be prepared ?
Link event chronology, use conditions and technical findings. State competing explanations and unresolved points.
LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
Which elements belong together before the next step?
| Preparation question | Point to verify |
|---|---|
| France: how does this differ from a conformity claim ? | The task concerns harm caused by the product, beyond repairing or replacing the purchased item. |
| France: which defect evidence should be preserved ? | Keep the product, packaging, identifiers, instructions and observations. A malfunction does not automatically prove every liability condition. |
| France: how should damage be recorded ? | Separate injury, affected property and documented costs. Connect each alleged consequence to its supporting record. |
| France: why identify the producer and supply roles ? | Producer, component manufacturer, importer and seller do not necessarily have identical roles. Use the actual supply documents. |
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
Switzerland: does this tool calculate compensation or limitation ?
No. It organises the factual evidence for review without deciding the applicable claim, individual deadline or award.
LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
What other questions arise in this file?
France: which defect evidence should be preserved ?
Keep the product, packaging, identifiers, instructions and observations. A malfunction does not automatically prove every liability condition.
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
France: why identify the producer and supply roles ?
Producer, component manufacturer, importer and seller do not necessarily have identical roles. Use the actual supply documents.
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
Switzerland: why keep defect and damage separate ?
An observed anomaly and an actual loss are different proof questions. Document both without assuming liability from one alone.
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
Switzerland: does this tool calculate compensation or limitation ?
No. It organises the factual evidence for review without deciding the applicable claim, individual deadline or award.
Code civil, article 1245Code civil, article 1245-8Code civil, article 1245-1LRFP / PrHG / LRDPLoi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2
Which official references should you consult?
- Code civil, article 1245legifrance.gouv.fr
- Code civil, article 1245-8legifrance.gouv.fr
- Code civil, article 1245-1legifrance.gouv.fr
- LRFP / PrHG / LRDPfedlex.admin.ch
- Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 1fedlex.admin.ch
- Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité du fait des produits / PrHG / LRDP — art. 2fedlex.admin.ch
Texts cited last checked: 2 November 2026