The tide started to turn in 1985, when the European Commission passed a"product liability"directive, since adopted as law by all of the European Community member states.

FORBES: Sue Everywhere

The tide started to turn in 1985, when the European Commission passed a "product liability" directive, since adopted as law by all the member states of the European Community.

FORBES: Sue Everywhere

The European Union directive on tobacco product regulation, which includes proposals to ban misleading "light" branding is currently in its final stages.

BBC: Smokers 'puff harder on low tar brands'

The Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive states a product can only be sold if it has already been on the market for 30 years, including 15 years on the European market.

BBC: Protest at natural medicines ban