The Textile Care Allied Traders Association, (TCATA) is claiming this as a landmark judgement and says that the case emphasises the importance of trade Associations in looking after their members’ interests.
TCATA, and the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance, had filed an “Amicus Curia” brief with the court , setting out arguments in Street’s support.
TCATA argued liability should rest with the person who decides the method and place of disposal. It also argued that if a supplier is liable because it gave advice, it is being punished for acting responsibly in the market place.
TCATA President Bill Odorizzi said that “it would be hard to underestimate the importance of this court decision… the outcome and precedent set by the ruling touches nearly every distributor and manufacturer in our industry.”
