Unregulated laboratory giving false statement subject to legal action (6)

I believe the answer is:

liable

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'unregulated' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for liable that I've seen before include "'Responsible, answerable (6)'" , "Responsible at law" , "To blame" , "Likely" , "Legally obligated" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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