 |
|
|
| |
1.1 |
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all offers or services and all resulting contractual relationship(s) between SGS SA, any affiliated companies of SGS SA or any of their agents (each “SGS”) to any person applying for certification services (the “Client”) shall be governed by these General Conditions.
|
| |
1.2 |
These General Conditions, and, as applicable, the Proposal, the Application, the Codes of Practice, the SGS Certification Marks License Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement (the “Contract”) between the Client and SGS with respect to the subject matter hereof. Save as otherwise provided no variation to the Contract shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by or on behalf of the Client and SGS.
|
| |
1.3 |
Where a Certificate is issued to the Client, SGS will provide the Services using reasonable care and skill and in accordance with the Codes of Practice then in force of the relevant Certification Body. A copy of such Codes of Practice, and any amendments to it as may be issued from time to time, will be supplied by the Certification Body to the Client upon commencement of the Services.
|
|
|
2.
|
Definitions
|
| |
“Accreditation Body” means any organisation (whether public or private) having the authorisation to appoint Certification Bodies;
|
| |
“Application“ means the request for services by a Client;
|
| |
“Certificate“ means the Certificate issued by a competent Certification Body;
|
| |
“Certification Body” means any SGS company having the authorisation to issue Certificates;
|
| |
“Codes of Practice” means those codes of practice issued by a Certification Body in accordance with the relevant certification scheme;
|
| |
“Proposal” means the outline of services to be rendered by SGS to the Client.
|
|
"Report" a report issued by SGS to the Client indicating whether or not a recommendation to issue a Certificate is to be made.
|
|
“SGS Certification Mark License Terms and Conditions” means the terms and conditions of use of the licensed SGS Certification Mark.
|
|
|
|
| |
(a) |
System certification services: quality, environmental, safety, health and other management system certification in accordance with international or national standards;
|
| |
(b) |
Product conformity certification services in accordance with EC Directives or national legislation and product certification services in accordance with non-mandatory normative documents, specifications or technical regulations;
|
| |
(c) |
Service certification services in accordance with non-mandatory normative documents, specifications or technical regulations;
|
| |
(d) |
Process certification services;
|
| |
(e) |
Skills certification services.
|
|
|
|
| |
3.2 |
On completion of an assessment programme, SGS will prepare and submit to the Client a Report. Any recommendation given in a Report is not binding on the Certification Body and the decision to issue a Certificate is at the sole discretion of the Certification Body.
|
| |
3.3 |
Client acknowledges that SGS, either by entering into the Contract or by providing the Services, neither takes the place of Client or any third party, nor releases them from any of their obligations, nor otherwise assumes, abridges, abrogates or undertakes to discharge any duty of Client to any third party or that of any third party to Client.
|
| |
3.4 |
Certification, suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of a Certificate shall be in accordance with the applicable Codes of Practice.
|
| |
3.5 |
SGS may delegate the performance of all or part of the Services to an agent or a subcontractor and Client authorises SGS to disclose all information necessary for such performance to the agent or subcontractor.
|
|
|
|
| |
4.1 |
The Client shall ensure that all product samples, access, assistance, information, records, documentation and facilities are made available to SGS when required by SGS, including the assistance of properly qualified, briefed and authorised personnel of the Client. The Client shall in addition provide SGS free of charge suitable space for conducting meetings.
|
| |
4.2 |
So far as it is permitted by law, the Client acknowledges that, it has not been induced to enter into the Contract in reliance upon, nor has it been given, any warranty, representation, statement, assurance, covenant, agreement, undertaking, indemnity or commitment of any nature whatsoever other than as are expressly set out in these General Conditions and, to the extent that it has been it unconditionally and irrevocably waives any claims, rights or remedies which it might otherwise have had in relation thereto. Any conditions or stipulations included in the Client standard form documents which are inconsistent with, or which purport to modify or add to, these General Conditions shall have no effect unless expressly accepted in writing by SGS.
|
| |
4.3 |
The Client shall take all necessary steps to eliminate or remedy any obstacles to or interruptions in the performance of the Services.
|
| |
4.4 |
In order to allow SGS to comply with the applicable health and safety legislation the Client shall provide SGS with all available information regarding known or potential hazards likely to be encountered by SGS personnel during their visits. SGS shall take all reasonable steps ensure that whilst on the Client’s premises, its personnel comply with all health and safety regulations of the Client, provided that the Client makes SGS aware of the same.
|
| |
4.5 |
For product conformity certification under an EC Directive the Client shall comply with all the provisions of that Directive. In particular, the Client may only affix the EC mark of conformity when all the requirements of that Directive are met.
|
| |
4.6 |
The Client may only reproduce or publish extracts of any report of SGS if the name of SGS does not appear in any way or the Client has obtained the prior written authorisation of SGS. SGS reserves its rights to lodge a complaint in case of disclosure in breach of this clause or disclosure which SGS considers in its sole discretion is abusive. The Client shall not publicise details of the way in which SGS performs, conducts or executes its operations.
|
| |
4.7 |
The Client shall immediately inform SGS of any and all changes in their premises which may affect their management system, their service their products, their process or their skills. Any breach of this obligation to inform may lead to the withdrawal of the Certificate. Furthermore the Client is bound to inform SGS of any major non conformity identified during internal audits undertaken by the Client, its partners or public authorities.
|
|
|
|
| |
5.3 |
Without prejudice to clause 5.2, additional fees will be payable at SGS’ charging rates in force from time to time in respect of rush orders, cancellation or rescheduling of services or any partial or full repeats of the assessment programme or operations which are required as set out in the Codes of Practice.
|
| |
5.4 |
A copy of SGS’ prevailing charging rates is available on request from SGS.
|
| |
5.5 |
Unless otherwise stated all fees quoted are exclusive of travelling and subsistence costs (which will be charged to the Client in accordance with SGS Travel Expense Policy). All fees and additional charges are exclusive of any applicable Value Added Tax, Sales Tax or similar tax in the country concerned.
|
| |
5.6 |
Following submission of the Report to the Client, SGS shall issue an invoice to the Client. Invoices for additional and further work will be issued on completion of the relevant task. Unless advance payment has been agreed upon, all invoices are payable within thirty (30) days of the date of each invoice (the “Due Date”) regardless of whether the Client’s system or products qualify for certification failing which interest will become due at a rate of 1.5% per month (or such other rate as may be established in the invoice) from the Due Date up to including the date payment is actually received.
|
| |
5.7 |
Any use by the Client of any Report or Certificate or the information contained therein is conditional upon the timely payment of all fees and charges. In addition to the remedies set out in the Codes of Practice, SGS reserves the right to cease or suspend all work and/or cause the suspension or withdrawal of any Certificate for a Client who fails duly to pay an invoice.
|
| |
5.8 |
Client shall not be entitled to retain or defer payment of any sums due to SGS on account of any dispute, counter claim or set off which may allege against SGS.
|
| |
5.9 |
SGS may elect to bring action for the collection of unpaid fees in any court having competent jurisdiction.
|
| |
5.10 |
Client shall pay all SGS’ collection costs including reasonable attorney’s fees and related costs.
|
|
|
|
| |
10.1 |
Unless otherwise agreed, the Contract shall continue (subject to the termination rights set out in these General Conditions) for the term set forth in the Proposal (the "Initial Term"). On expiry of the Initial Term, the Contract shall renew automatically unless and until either party notifies the other in writing that the Contract will terminate at least three months prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or on three months' notice any time after the Initial Term.
|
| |
10.2 |
SGS is entitled, at any time prior to the issue of a Certificate, to terminate the Contract if the Client is in material breach of its obligations and, following receipt of notice of such breach, the Client fails to remedy to the satisfaction of SGS such breach within 30 days.
|
| |
10.3 |
Either Party shall be entitled to terminate immediately the provision of the Services in the event of any arrangement with creditors, bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or cessation of business by the other Party.
|
| |
10.4 |
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the rights and obligations of the parties defined in clauses 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14 shall apply notwithstanding the completion of the Services or termination of the Contract.
|
| |
10.5 |
In case the Client transfers its activities to another organisation, the transfer of the Certificate is subject to the Certification Body’s prior written consent. Where such consent is given, the use of the Certificate by such new organisation shall be governed by the Contract.
|
|
|
|
| |
12.1 |
SGS undertakes to exercise due care and skill in the performance of the Services and accepts responsibility only in cases of proven negligence.
|
| |
12.2 |
Nothing in these General Conditions shall exclude or limit SGS' liability to the Client for death or personal injury or for fraud or any other matter resulting from SGS' negligence for which it would be illegal to exclude or limit its liability.
|
| |
12.3 |
Subject to clause 12.2, the total liability of SGS to the Client in respect of any claim for loss, damage or expense of any nature and howsoever arising shall be limited, in respect of any one event or series of connected events, to an amount equal to the fees paid to SGS under the Contract (excluding Value Added Tax thereon).
|
| |
12.4 |
Subject to clause 12.2, SGS shall have no liability to the Client for claim for loss, damage or expense unless arbitral proceedings are commenced within one year after the date of the performance by SGS of the service which gives rise to the claim or in the event of any alleged non-performance within one year of the date when such service should have been completed.
|
| |
12.5 |
Subject to clause 12.2, SGS shall not be liable to the Client nor to any third party:
|
|
|
|
| |
(a) |
For any loss, damage or expense arising from (i) a failure by Client to comply with any of its obligations herein (ii) any actions taken or not taken on the basis of the Reports or the Certificates; and (iii) any incorrect results, Reports or Certificates arising from unclear, erroneous, incomplete, misleading or false information provided to SGS;
|
| |
(b) |
For loss of profits, loss of production, loss of business or costs incurred from business interruption, loss of revenue, loss of opportunity, loss of contracts, loss of expectation, loss of use, loss of goodwill or damage to reputation, loss of anticipated savings, cost or expenses incurred in relation to making product recall, cost or expenses incurred in mitigating loss and loss or damage arising from the claims of any third party (including without limitation product liability claims) that may be suffered by the Client; and
|
| |
(c) |
Any indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind (whether or not falling within the types of loss or damage identified in (b) above).
|
|
|
|
| |
13.1 |
If any one or more provisions of these General Conditions are found to be illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
|
| |
13.2 |
Except as expressly provided for herein, the Client may not assign or transfer any of its rights hereunder without SGS’ prior written consent.
|
| |
13.3 |
Neither party shall assign the Contract without the prior written consent of the other Party such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Any assignment shall not relieve the assignor from any liability or obligation under the Contract.
|
| |
13.4 |
The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to these General Conditions or the Contract.
|
| |
13.5 |
A Party giving notice under these General Conditions must do so in writing with such notice being hand delivered or sent by prepaid, first class post or facsimile to the address for the other Party as set out in the Application. A notice will be deemed received by the other Party:
|
