contract specification defense
contract-specification defense. An affirmative defense that immunizes a contractor from liability for a defect in a product when the contractor has manufactured or performed according to detailed contractual orders. • The defense applies to specialized, single-use components and protects a component supplier from claims of negligent design if the component conforms to the contractual specifications — unless the specifications are obviously dangerous. Under modern notions of strict liability, courts have increasingly rejected this defense. Cf. GOV-ERNMENT-CONTRACTOR DEFENSE; GOVERNMENT-AGENCY DEFENSE.
