Running a successful consumer products company has never been easy. Rapidly evolving technologies, an uncertain economy and changing government regulations appear primed to complicate the already challenging task of navigating legal issues. If you are concerned (or even curious) about what the legal landscape for consumer products companies in 2018 looks like, this two-part article is for you.

Developing and maintaining consumer trust is central to operating a successful consumer products company. Product recalls, contamination problems, defects, privacy violations and data breaches can all undermine consumer trust in a company and its products. These risks, and the risks of related litigation, only increase when products are connected to the internet, contain sensitive consumer information or operate autonomously.

Originally published in Law360 on June 7, 2018.