Product Safety in Iceland (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Icelandic Acts of the Althingi, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
As a member of the EEA, Iceland applies EU requirements on product safety and product liability:
Product safety (Lög nr. 134/1995):
- Neytendastofa is the market-surveillance authority — it can order the withdrawal or recall of dangerous products.
- Iceland participates in RAPEX/Safety Gate, the EU rapid-alert system for dangerous non-food products.
Product liability (Lög nr. 25/1991):
- Strict liability: Manufacturers, importers and distributors are liable for defective products without any need to prove fault.
- Limitation: 3 years from when the damage became known, or 10 years from when the product was distributed.
- Liability rights cannot be waived by contract in advance.
When does it apply?
- A product you bought caused personal injury or property damage.
- You believe a product on the market is unsafe or defective.
What to do if a product causes you harm or is recalled in Iceland
- Report unsafe products to Neytendastofa.
- If you have suffered harm, consult a lawyer about a product-liability claim under Lög nr. 25/1991.
- Keep the defective product and all records as evidence.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't keep using a product you believe is dangerous — stop using it and report it.
- Don't discard the product before filing a claim.
About Consumer Rights in Iceland
If a product you buy in Iceland is defective, lög um neytendakaup (the Consumer Sales Act, Lög nr. 48/2003) give you a two-year complaint period (5 years for goods with a longer expected lifespan) — defects appearing in the first 6 months are presumed to have been present at the time of sale. Purchases online, by telephone or at the door carry a 14-day right of withdrawal under lög um neytendasamninga (the Consumer Contracts Act, Lög nr. 16/2016). Misleading advertising and hidden fees are prohibited under Lög nr. 57/2005, enforced by Neytendastofa (the Consumer Agency). Unresolved disputes go to Kærunefnd vöru- og þjónustukaupa (the Complaints Board for Goods and Services Purchases); complaints about banks and finance go to Seðlabanki Íslands (the Central Bank of Iceland).
Common Questions
Who can I report a dangerous product to in Iceland?
Report unsafe products to Neytendastofa, Iceland's consumer-protection authority. As an EEA member, Iceland participates in the EU RAPEX / Safety Gate rapid-alert system, and Neytendastofa can order the withdrawal or recall of dangerous products under Lög nr. 134/1995.
Do I have to prove the manufacturer's fault to claim compensation in Iceland?
No. Product liability in Iceland under Lög nr. 25/1991 is strict: manufacturers, importers and distributors are liable for defective products without any need to prove fault. You need to show that the product was defective and that it caused your personal injury or property damage.
How long do I have to file a product-liability claim in Iceland?
3 years from when the damage became known, or 10 years from when the product was distributed — whichever comes first. Liability rights cannot be waived by contract in advance. Keep the defective product and all records as evidence until the claim has been resolved.
What is the product safety and product liability right in Iceland?
As a member of the EEA, Iceland applies EU requirements on product safety and product liability:Product safety (Lög nr. 134/1995):Neytendastofa is the market-surveillance authority — it can order the withdrawal or recall of dangerous products.Iceland participates in RAPEX/Safety Gate, the EU rapid-alert system for dangerous non-food products.Product liability (Lög nr. 25/1991):Strict liability: Manufacturers, importers and distributors are liable for defective products without any need to prove fault.Limitation: 3 years from when the damage became known, or 10 years from when the product was...
When does it apply — product safety and product liability?
A product you bought caused personal injury or property damage.You believe a product on the market is unsafe or defective.
What should I do if a product I bought in Iceland harmed me or has been recalled as dangerous?
Report unsafe products to Neytendastofa.If you have suffered harm, consult a lawyer about a product-liability claim under Lög nr. 25/1991.Keep the defective product and all records as evidence.
What should you NOT do — product safety and product liability?
Don't keep using a product you believe is dangerous — stop using it and report it.Don't discard the product before filing a claim.