A German firm that has paid out over £50m in compensation for problems caused by its PIP breast implant products is taking legal action which may result in over 20,000 women having to repay the compensation that they have already been awarded.

The company, TUV Rheinland, has already paid 20,000 victims £2,600 each in compensation after an EU court ruled that the company had failed to properly test implants supplied by French company PIP, which were made with unapproved industrial silicon intended for use in mattresses, not breast implants.

Known as the PIP Scandal after the manufacturer of the unapproved silicon which has since ceased trading, PIP implants were estimated to have been used by 0ver 47,000 women in the UK. PIP implants were withdrawn from use in the UK in 2010, and since then over 20,000 women sued the company responsible for testing the implants in a class action lawsuit that saw each claimant receive £2,600 in compensation.

Whilst PIP implants are not considered to be a direct risk to health, problems are caused if they should rupture resulting in pain, swelling and enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit. Most PIP implants were used by private clinics and hospitals, with a small number being used in NHS operations for women who had breast cancer surgery. The NHS does not recommend women having PIP implants removed unless they are problematic – women can discuss the implants with their surgeon if they are concerned.

TUV Rheinland is now appealing the original EU ruling, claiming that whilst it followed the rules for testing the implants, it had been 'defrauded' PIP. Reports indicate that the German firm has notified people who have received compensation about their appeal, including claims that over 5,000 of those successfully compensated did not prove that they had actually had the implants. If this is proven, those women will be forced to repay the compensation they received.