Legal consumer relations in Brazil, including product liability are governed mainly by the Consumer Protection Code (Federal Law No. 8,078/90 (CDC)). The CDC provides for a strict liability regime, in which the suppliers, manufacturers and other players in the consumer chain are considered to be jointly responsible for the defective product. In the absence of a consumer relationship (a relationship in which any individual or legal entity acquires or uses products or services as an end user), Brazilian Civil Code shall be applied for contractual liability and indemnity for illicit acts. Certain aspects of consumer protection legislation are regulated under special rules, such as those established by the National Sanitary Authority (ANVISA) (Law No. 9,782/99) and by the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) (Law No. 9,472/97).
Considering the legal and regulatory framework regarding the protection and defense of consumers, which are legally considered to be in disadvantage before the suppliers and manufacturers, consumers are able to claim their rights in both administrative and judicial spheres, resulting in a great number of consumer cases in Brazil.