1. Scope of application

The sales and deliveries of RINGSPANN South Africa Proprietary Limited are made exclusively in accordance with the following terms and conditions of delivery and payment (“Terms and Conditions”). The purchaser acknowledges and accepts the Terms and Conditions by placing an order or accepting delivery. The Terms and Conditions shall also apply to all future transactions with the purchaser. The validity of deviating or supplementary terms and conditions of the purchaser shall be excluded, even if we have not expressly objected to them.

2. Offer and conclusion of contract

Our letters of offer and letters of confirmation shall be exclusively decisive for the scope and type of delivery. The order shall be deemed accepted when confirmed by us in writing; until such time, our offer shall be deemed non-binding. Measurements, weights, illustrations and drawings shall only be binding for the execution of the order if confirmed by us in writing.

We reserve the ownership and intellectual property rights to illustrations, drawings, sketches and other documents. They must not be made accessible to third parties without our prior consent and must be returned on our request.

The purchaser warrants that the working drawings submitted by it do not infringe any third-party rights. We shall not be obliged vis-à-vis the purchaser to check whether we infringe any third-party rights if we produce in accordance with the working drawings submitted to us. The purchaser hereby indemnifies and holds us harmless against and from any third-party claims based on the infringement of rights through the working drawings submitted by the purchaser.

We will only supply workshop or individual part drawings if this has been agreed when placing the order and confirmed by us in writing.

3. Prices and terms of delivery

The prices are ex works plus value-added tax and do not include packaging, freight or postage. Unless otherwise agreed on a case-by-case basis, our prices applicable at the time the contract is concluded shall apply. Packaging shall be charged at cost price.

Delivery shall be ex works.

4. Terms of payment

For customers purchasing goods on credit, payment must be made by bank transfer within thirty (30) days of receiving a statement of account without deduction. For customers purchasing goods on a cash-on-delivery basis, payment must be prior to delivery of the goods (and we reserve the right to withhold delivery until payment is made). Repairs and other services or works are due for payment without deduction immediately after receipt of the invoice.

The purchaser is entitled to set off any claims only if its respective counterclaim is undisputed or finally adjudicated. The same applies to any rights of retention. In the event of defects in the delivery item, the rights of the purchaser shall remain unaffected.

If the purchaser is in default of payment, interest shall be charged at a rate of five (5) percentage points above the repo rate of the South African Reserve Bank. Claims for further damage caused by the default remain unaffected.

5. Retention of title

We reserve title to the delivery item until receipt of all payments due and payable under the delivery contract.

The purchaser may neither pledge the delivery item nor assign it as security. In case of seizure, confiscation or other dispositions by third parties, the purchaser must inform us immediately.

If the purchaser acts in breach of contract, particular in the case of default of payment, we are entitled to take back the delivery item and the purchaser is obliged to surrender such item. The assertion of retention of title rights by us shall not be deemed a withdrawal from the contract.

An application for the opening of insolvency or business rescue proceedings entitles us to withdraw from the contract and to demand the immediate return of the delivery item.

If the purchaser combines our goods with other goods or products to form a single item, it is hereby agreed that the purchaser hereby transfers proportional co-ownership of that item to us and keeps the item in custody for us.

The purchaser may only resell the goods which are subject to retention of title rights in the ordinary course of business at its normal terms and conditions and as long as the purchaser is not in default, provided that the purchaser agrees to retention of title rights with its customers and that the claims from the resale are transferred to us. The purchaser is not entitled to dispose of the reserved goods in any other way. The purchaser’s claims arising from the reserved goods are hereby ceded to us and we hereby accept such cession. They serve as security to the same extent as the reserved goods.

The purchaser is revocably authorized to collect the claims ceded to us as our agent. We may revoke this authorization if the purchaser is in default of any of its material obligations, including (but not limited to) payment to us; in the event of revocation, we are entitled to collect the claims ourselves.

In case of deliveries to other jurisdictions in which the above retention of title rights is not permitted or do not have the same security effect as in the Republic of South Africa, the purchaser will do its utmost to provide us with appropriate security rights without undue delay. The purchaser shall duly cooperate in all measures including (but not limited to) registration, publication etc. which are necessary and beneficial for the effectiveness and enforceability of such security rights.

6. Delivery time

The delivery time and delivery dates are considered approximate and are only binding if they have been agreed upon as binding in the contract. The delivery period shall commence as soon as all technical details of the execution have been clarified and both parties agree on all matters of the transaction as confirmed by us in writing.

Unforeseen events beyond our reasonable control, including (but not limited to) operational disruptions, delayed deliveries from our subcontractors, production rejects in our plant or such of the subcontractor, natural catastrophes or pandemics, as well as force majeure, release us from the obligation to deliver or perform for the duration of such events provided that upon the cessation of such events we shall only be obliged to resume performance by no later than 10th business day follow the cessation of such event. Delivery and performance periods or dates shall be extended or postponed by the duration of the disruption.

Orders whose delivery extends over several delivery installments will only be accepted by us if an acceptance date is specified by the purchaser for each delivery installment and the total period for delivery of the order does not exceed nine (9) months. Upon expiry of the agreed nine (9) months’ period, we shall be entitled to make the total remaining quantity available to the purchaser without notice, even if the purchaser is in default of acceptance of the previous delivery installments.

If the purchaser is in default of acceptance or violates other obligations to cooperate, we are entitled, without prejudice to any other rights, to store the delivery item appropriately at the risk and expense of the purchaser or to withdraw from the contract upon notice to the purchaser.

We may make partial deliveries for justified reasons, provided this is reasonable for the purchaser.

7. Liability for defects of the delivery

The quality of the delivery item shall be determined exclusively by the performance data and measurements according to the catalogue. In the case of custom-made products for the purchaser, the agreed quality shall be measured exclusively in accordance with the design drawing approved by the purchaser.

We reserve the right to make minor changes to the delivery item with regard to its construction, material and/or workmanship, provided that this does not alter the agreed quality.

Rights of the purchaser due to defects of the delivery item require that it inspects the delivery item after delivery and notifies us in writing of any defects immediately, but no later than two weeks after delivery; hidden defects must be notified to us in writing immediately after their discovery.

In case of any notice of defect, we shall be entitled to inspect the rejected delivery item. The purchaser shall grant us sufficient time and opportunity to do so. We may demand that the purchaser returns the rejected delivery item to us at our expense provided that we are entitled to charge a handling fee of 15% of the price paid for such returned goods.

If a notice of defect by the purchaser proves to be unjustified and if the purchaser has recognized this before the notice of defect was made or has not recognized it due to negligence, the purchaser shall be obliged to compensate us for all damages incurred therewith, including (but not limited to) travel, shipping and inspection costs.

We shall remedy defects at our own discretion by eliminating the defect free of charge for the purchaser or, alternatively, by supplying a defect-free delivery item free of charge. The purchaser shall grant us reasonable time and opportunity necessary for remediation.

Rights of the purchaser due to defects are excluded in the following cases: (i) normal wear and tear; (ii) if damage to the delivery items occurs for reasons for which the purchaser is responsible, in particular due to improper use, non-compliance with the operating instructions, faulty commissioning or faulty handling (including but limited to excessive strain); (iii) faulty assembly or incorrect assembly or installation by the purchaser or by third parties commissioned by it; (iv) use of unsuitable accessories or unsuitable spare parts; (v) performance of unsuitable repair measures by the purchaser or by third parties commissioned by it; or (vi) performance of modifications or reworking without our approval.

The period of limitation for the rights of the purchaser due to defects is twelve (12) months from the time of transfer of risk. This shall not apply to cases specified in clause 8 (iii).

8. Limitation of liability, compensation

Our obligation to pay damages is limited as follows:

1. We shall not be liable for breach of non-material contractual obligations.


2. For the breach of material contractual obligations, we shall only be liable for the damages reasonably foreseeable at the time of conclusion of the contract. We shall not be liable for loss of profits or any consequential or indirect damages. In addition, we shall not be liable for the breach of non-material contractual obligations.


3. In the event of negligence, our liability shall be limited to the annual order value of the products which have caused the relevant damage.


4. The aforementioned limitations of liability do not apply to (a) damages caused intentionally or by gross negligence, (b) to culpably caused bodily injury,(c) to the extent that the Consumer Protection Act No 68 of 2008 ("Consumer Protection Act") applies, to any loss of or physical damage to any property (whether movable or immovable) and economic loss arising from such damage or from such injury specified in (b) . Furthermore, they shall not apply if and insofar as we have assumed a guarantee.

The purchaser is obliged to take reasonable measures to prevent and reduce the damage.

9. Termination of the contract

The purchaser shall be entitled to terminate the contract only if we have failed to remedy a defect for which we are responsible for within a reasonable period of time set by the purchaser or if the delivery is delayed due to a circumstance for which we are responsible and a reasonable period of time set by the purchaser for the delivery has expired or if the remediation of the defect or the delivery is impossible, provided that to the extent that the Consumer Protection Act applies, the purchaser shall be entitled to cancel an order for any goods or services prior to delivery (but not terminate the provisions of these Terms and Conditions) subject to our right to charge a reasonable cancellation fee.

10. Personal Information

For the purposes of this clause 10 –

1. "personal information" – any information provided to the responsible party by the purchaser which is of a personal nature and includes but is not limited to, the purchaser's identity/registration number, gender, marital status, education, financial and/or employment history, email addresses, physical addresses, location, data billing information and/or personal information as defined in any applicable data protection legislation including the Protection of Personal Information Act No 4 of 2013, as amended from time to time (hereinafter referred to as “POPI”) but specifically excluding information which is (i) in the public domain; and (ii) required to be disclosed by any applicable law;


2. “processing” – any operation or activity, whether or not performed by automatic means, concerning personal information, including, but not limited to, the collection, receipt, recording, organization, collation, storage, updating or modification, retrieval, alteration, consultation, use, dissemination by means of transmission, distribution, making available in any other form or merging, linking, as well as restriction, degradation, erasure or destruction of information; and


3. “responsible party” – us and our directors, officers, agents and/or employees.

The purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the personal information of the purchaser supplied to us by virtue of these Terms and Conditions, the credit application and or and or any document is to be used by us for the purpose of assessing the purchaser’s creditworthiness, where credit is applied for, and for purposes of entering into these Terms and Conditions with us generally. The purchaser hereby consents to us processing its personal information for such purposes and confirms that the information as aforesaid is accurate and complete and undertakes to update such information whenever necessary to ensure the accuracy thereof. We shall not be liable for any inaccuracies in relation to the personal information of the purchaser as aforesaid.

11. Consumer Protection Act

In the event the purchaser is a natural person a juristic person with an asset value or annual turnover that is R3,000,000 or less, the third to sixth paragraphs of clause 7 shall not apply, and instead the provisions of this clause 11 shall apply.

In the event the purchaser wishes to return any goods within 10 business days after delivery, the purchaser shall be entitled to a full refund if such goods are returned in their original unopened packaging. If the goods are in their original condition and opened but repackaged in their original packaging, the purchaser shall be entitled to a full refund less a reasonable charge of 15% of the price paid for the returned goods for use of the goods and to cover the cost the cost of examination, handling and repacking. In any other case, the purchaser shall be entitled to a full refund less reasonable cost required for rendering the goods fit for re-stocking. Such goods will be returned at our cost and expense. In the event of an incorrect delivery, the purchaser will be entitled to reject the incorrect delivery and return the goods to us at our risk and expense.

In the event that, within 6 months of delivery, the purchaser determines that the goods are not reasonably suitable for the purpose for which they are generally intended, are not of good quality, not in good working order and are not free of defect, or will not be useable and durable for a reasonable period of time, the purchaser shall be entitled to return the goods to us and instruct us to either refund the purchaser for the full amount of the original invoice or repair or replace the defective goods. The goods will be returned at our risk and expense.

If the purchaser returns defective goods for repair and within 3 months of such repair the failure, defect or unsafe feature has not been remedied or a further failure, defect or unsafe feature is discovered, the purchaser will be entitled to request that we either replace the goods or refund the purchaser for the full amount of the original invoice.

12. General provisions

Place of performance shall be as per the delivery contract and any disputes in terms of these Terms and Conditions or the delivery contract shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the court of the Republic of South Africa. The purchaser may not assign its contractual rights to third parties without our prior written and express consent.

If a provision of these Terms and Conditions is invalid in whole or in part, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.

These Terms and Conditions and the contractual relationship between the parties shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Data: 2025-01-31

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

These general terms of business codify standard industry practice for standard parts, components and sub-sets in the areas represented by Artema: bearings, linear guides, hydraulic or oleo-hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical transmission and mechatronics components. They govern the relationship between the Supplier and the Customer. They have been filed with the Practice Office (Bureau des Usages) of the Registry of the Paris Commercial Court. The Supplier and the Customer undertake to comply with standard industry practice as well as the guides, charters or good practice codes signed by them or by their professional bodies. These general terms may be governed by sales law when they apply to the supply of standard equipment or equipment whose characteristics have been determined in advance by the supplier and by the law of job contracts when they apply to the manufacturing of equipment in line with terms of reference or the provision of a service. Pursuant to Article L441-1 of the French Commercial Code (Code de Commerce), the Supplier’s general terms constitute “the basis of the commercial negotiation”. The Supplier cannot waive them in advance. The publication of Artema’s general terms on Artema’s website constitutes, based on standard practice, the usual manner in which general industry terms are provided. Any exception to any one of these general terms must be expressly accepted by the Supplier in writing. Such an exception only applies for the contract or order for which it was accepted. If the supplier fails to require performance at any given time of any one of the clauses of the general terms, this shall not be construed as a waiver of its right to require performance at a later date. If any one of the clauses of these general terms is invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the other clauses. For the purposes hereof, “in writing” means any paper document and any written document sent electronically or by fax.

2. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND ORDERS

1) Contract documents

The prices, information and characteristics set out in catalogues, memos, leaflets, specification sheets or other documents are provided for information purposes only and may not, under any circumstances, be construed as binding proposals. Moreover, the Supplier reserves the right to modify or improve standard equipment as it deems fit, at any time and without prior notice. In such a case, the Customer may not claim any loss whatsoever.

2) Orders

a)

All orders must be placed in writing. The contract is only concluded when the Supplier expressly accepts the order. Orders may be accepted by any means of written communication. Orders handed over to the Supplier’s agents or representatives or taken by them are only binding on the Supplier once it has accepted them in writing.

b) Orders cancellation or modification

Orders are irrevocably binding on the Customer. Accordingly, the Customer may not cancel the order without the Supplier’s prior express consent. In such a case, the Customer shall indemnify the Supplier from and against all direct or indirect consequences arising therefrom, in particular the costs incurred for specific equipment and studies, labour costs, work in progress, stocks and supplies. In all cases, the Supplier shall not refund any down payments already made. Order modifications and additions, in particular as regards delivery times, quantities or the equipment, shall be submitted to the Supplier for its express consent. The supplier shall inform the Customer of the terms and conditions thereof and the consequences on the commercial terms and conditions. Order modifications requested by the Customer are subject to the Supplier’s express written ac-ceptance, which shall take into account the consequences in terms of cost and delivery times.

c) Blanket orders

Blanket orders are orders in which the Customer does not make a firm commitment as regards the quantity of equipment required or the schedule of services or deliveries and must be followed by blanket releases. They are placed for a limited agreed period which, unless otherwise stated shall be for a period of one (1) year. The price and other terms and conditions shall be defined on the basis of the Customer’s purchasing forecasts. If the Customer fails to respect the purchasing forecasts, in the relevant schedule, the Supplier may modify the said terms and conditions and demand compensation from the Customer for the supplies and other costs.

3. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EQUIPMENT

1) Projects, studies, documents

a) Intellectual property

The projects, studies, sketches, plans, quotes, photographs, illustrations, print-outs and documents of any kind handed over or sent by the Supplier shall remain the exclusive property of the Supplier at all times. The Customer acknowledges the Supplier’s industrial and intellectual property in all of the Supplier’s documents and equipment. They must be returned to the Supplier immediately on request. They may not be disclosed or produced without its prior written permission. Any reproduction or display of all or part of one or more of the said elements, using any process whatsoever, without the Supplier’s written permission, shall constitute a breach of contract and may also constitute an act of infringement or unfair competition. Any transfer or assignment of intellectual property rights must be recorded in a separate contract entered into between the Supplier and the Customer. If studies are conducted at the Customer’s request or on the basis of documents supplied by the Customer, and the Customer fails to place an order for equipment thereafter, the costs incurred for the said studies shall be invoiced to the Customer and the documents must be returned. The Supplier’s brands and name are protected by law. Any person using the Supplier’s brands or name on any medium whatsoever without the Supplier’s prior written consent may be prosecuted by the Supplier.

b) Confidentiality

The parties mutually agree to comply with a general confidentiality obligation covering the information (documents in any form whatsoever: discussion papers, plans, electronic data interchanges) shared in connection with the preparation or performance of the contract. As a general rule, the Customer acknowledges that any and all confidential information whatsoever relating to the Supplier has been disclosed to it solely for the purposes of the contract and solely so that it may make its decision. However, the confidentiality obligation does not cover information that was already in the public domain when the contract was concluded and information already known to the Customer on a legal basis.

c) Studies - Customer as the assembler or designer

Assembler Customers shall always conduct set-up, compatibility and assembly studies. The Customer or the project manager is responsible for the operating characteristics of a set. The Supplier under-takes to provide it with the information in its possession required for the studies. The Customer is responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules in force, in particular the noise, health and safety rules, even if special equipment is provided at the assembler’s request (whether or not accompanied by documents). In all cases, the Supplier only warrants that the equipment conforms to the specifications agreed in the order acceptance or in an express letter of acceptance. However, the Supplier may, at the Customer’s express request, agree to be responsible for certain set-up, compatibility or assembly studies. The said services shall be invoiced to the Customer and the Supplier shall only be liable therefor if its failure to comply with best industry practice constitutes a form of gross negligence. Likewise, any study accepted and conducted at the Customer’s request for the production of special equipment shall be invoiced to the Customer.

2) Service life - Output

Any service life information given may only be treated as theoretical calculations of the service life of the supplies. They may not be construed as a legal commitment by the Supplier incurring its liability or under a warranty. Any output information given must be treated as the result of calculations and not as a performance level quantified and validated by tests. Accordingly, the said information is provided for information purposes only and expressed in relative terms only. The output is approximate and calculated on the basis of the theoretical properties of the equipment and its components and may not be used as a basis for compensation or non-performance penalties or to refuse to accept the equipment.

3) Content and scope of the supplies - Modifications

a) General scope of the supplies

The proposed supplies must conform in all respects to the equipment specified in the proposal (catalogue or quote). The contract is strictly limited to the supplies expressly stated in the proposal. The Customer shall pay for all packaging in all cases and it will not be taken back by the Supplier, unless otherwise agreed. If no other arrangements are made, the Supplier shall prepare the packaging in the Customer’s best interests.

b) Modifications

The documents, plans and diagrams of the equipment provided to the Customer, in particular those appended to proposals, are supplied for information purposes only. The Supplier may modify the equipment provided that it meets the expressed needs, as stated in the order. The (assembly) plans and diagrams, if any, enclosed with any documents or proposals are merely rough outline solutions and the Supplier may not be held liable therefor.

4. PRICE

1) Content of the price

The Supplier shall remain bound by the content of its price proposal for thirty (30) days. Thereafter, any orders placed shall be governed by the Supplier’s price lists or schedules of charges in force on the date of the order or, in the event of an order for specific equipment, on the basis of a new proposal. The prices: • are always stated in euros, exclusive of taxes and ex works (EXW - in accordance with the Inco-terms in force on the date on which the contract is concluded); • never cover packaging costs or the cost of transportation, the Customer remaining liable to pay such costs; • are established on the basis of the purchasing forecasts or agreed quantities; • do not cover installation, assembly or dismantling; • do not cover specific controls required in certain industries, such as, for example, in the aviation or nuclear industry, which are not included in the prices stated in the quotes, proposals or invoices and which will be invoiced at an additional specific cost. More generally, they do not cover specific controls, it being specified that the equipment is produced in accordance with the current state of technical knowledge and that the materials used are controlled using the normal methods applied in mechanical industries.

2) Price modifications

If an event beyond its control occurs jeopardising the equilibrium of the contract, the Supplier may modify its prices in accordance with pre-determined terms agreed by the parties in the special terms and conditions (in particular in the event of fluctuations in commodity prices, changes in customs duties, exchange rate fluctuations or amendments to legislation). If the Customer makes amendments to the contract, the agreed prices may be modified to reflect such amendments.

3) Conditions applicable for the opening of an account

Whenever an account is opened, the Customer may be required to make a down payment or to pay in full when the order is placed. The Supplier reserves the right to refuse to open an account until the Customer has provided it with accounting records and financial and legal documents as well as, where applicable, guarantees, along with a reservation of title clause or the provision of guarantees.

5. PAYMENT

1) Payment terms

Invoices must be paid within thirty (30) days of the invoice date, with no discount. Pursuant to the Article L441-10 of the French Commercial Code (Code de Commerce), the time agreed may not exceed forty-five (45) days end of month or sixty (60) days as of the invoice date. The implementation of the said Act shall not prevent the application of any shorter times for payment agreed. A down payment of at least 30% of the amount of the order must be made. The said amount must be paid immediately and in full. Payment is deemed to have been made when the funds are actually made available and not before. Payment shall be made at the Supplier’s registered office, and unless otherwise agreed, the net amount should be paid, with no discount. The Supplier reserves the right to assign its accounts receivable to a third party. If a draft is provided, the original debt shall survive with all the relevant guarantees, including the retention of title right, until the said draft has actually been paid.

2) Penalties

a) Contractual penalties

Pursuant to Article L441-10 of the French Commercial Code, in the event of late payment or a failure to accept and return a bill within fifteen (15) days of the date on which it is sent to the Customer, the Supplier may, at its own discretion, • charge late payment interest at the European Central Bank’s most recently published refinancing rate plus ten (10) percentage points. It is noted that the said rate may not fall below an amount equal to three (3) times the statutory interest rate, • terminate the contract, require the Customer to immediately pay the balance of the price and all invoices on account, for any supplies, and refuse to accept new orders.

b) Debt collection fee

Pursuant to the Article L441-10 of the French Commercial Code, in the event of late payment, a fixed debt collection fee of forty (40) euros shall become due and payable, by operation of law and on top of the late payment interest, as of the first day following the due date stated on the invoice. The amount of the fee is determined in Article D441-5 of the French Commercial Code. Pursuant to the above-mentioned Article L441-10, if the debt collection costs incurred exceed the amount of the said fixed fee, the Supplier is also entitled to demand additional compensation on production of proof.

c) Debit notes

The Customer expressly agrees not to automatically debit from the Supplier’s account or automatically invoice the Supplier for any sums that have not been expressly acknowledged by the Supplier as payable by it. Any sum automatically debited shall constitute an outstanding amount and the foregoing provisions on late payment shall apply to the said amount and the Customer may be liable under the provisions of Article L442-1° of the French Commercial Code.

3) Changes to the Customer’s position

In the event that the Customer’s credit rating deteriorates, as recorded by a financial institution and evidenced by a significantly late payment or if the Customer’s financial position is materially different from the data provided, the goods will only be delivered against immediate payment in full. In the event that the Customer sells, transfers, pledges or makes a capital contribution of its business or a significant part of its assets or its equipment, or fails to comply with the times for payment or to return a bill accepted within fifteen (15) days, the Supplier reserves the following rights, with no requirement to give formal notice: • to implement an event of default, and accordingly to require the immediate payment in full of any outstanding sums on any basis whatsoever, • to suspend any delivery or service, • to notify the rescission of all contracts in force and to withhold all down payments received and equipment in its possession until the compensation payable has been fixed, if any. If the Supplier exercises one of these rights, this shall not prevent the implementation of the retention of title clause or the exercise, by the Supplier, of its right to claim liquidated damages by way of a penalty.

4) Changes to the Customer’s position

Title to the supplied equipment shall not pass to the Customer until it has actually paid the price in full, covering both the principal amount and any incidental charges. If the Customer fails to pay any instalment on time, the Supplier may reclaim possession of the equipment. Nevertheless, the risk of loss of or damage to the equipment shall pass to the Customer upon delivery along with liability for any damage that may be caused by the equipment. Unless otherwise expressly agreed, if the Supplier asks the Customer to contribute to the cost of producing tools, title to the said tools shall not pass to the Customer as a result thereof.

5. DELIVERY

1) Payment terms

Goods are deemed to have been delivered when they are ready for collection at the Supplier’s premis-es, notwithstanding any of the following indications: free on rail, free alongside ship, carriage-paid or reimbursement of all or part of transport costs. Risk in the goods passes to the Customer when notice is given that the goods are ready for collection. By accepting the goods, the Customer acknowledges the conformity and apparent or detectable defects unless it issues reservations in writing to the transporter and the Supplier within forty-eight (48) hours.

2) Delivery times

Delivery times take effect on the date on which the Supplier definitively accepts the order, provided that the down payment has been made. Also, delivery times shall not take effect until, where applica-ble, the Supplier has received all information or acceptance of the pilot study, if any, required to commence performance of the contract. The delivery and completion times provided to the Customer are defined on the basis of the timetable drawn up by the parties in the terms of reference. If changes are made to the timetable owing to an act or omission of the Customer, the Supplier may demand an extra fee for the changes and corresponding reorganisation. A new timetable shall be prepared and the Customer may not charge the Supplier any penalty in the event of a delay following its breach. If the shipping of the goods is delayed, for any reason whatsoever beyond the Supplier’s control, the Supplier may arrange for the packaging, transportation and storage of the equipment - and where applicable, its dismantling and reassembly - at the Customer’s expense and risk, fifteen (15) days after formal notice to no effect. In such a case, the Supplier disclaims all liability therefor. These provisions do not in any way modify the Customer’s obligations concerning payment of the supply.

3) Late deliveries

An order may not be cancelled owing to a delay. If the Supplier fails to meet the delivery times agreed by the parties: where special agreements provide for penalties, the said penalties may not, under any circumstances, exceed 0.5% per full week late, capped at 5% of the workshop or warehouse value of the late equip-ment. Late delivery penalties may only be applied if the Customer has shown that the delay was caused exclusively by an act or omission of the Supplier and that it caused a genuine loss to be sustained. They may not be applied unless the Customer informs the Supplier thereof in writing, at the time the order is placed, and confirms, at the scheduled time of delivery, its intention to apply the said penal-ties. The said penalties constitute liquidated damages and release the Supplier from all liability and no other form of compensation shall be payable. Payment of the supplies may not be postponed or modified owing to the penalties. The Supplier shall be released, by operation of law, from any commitment relating to delivery times if the Customer fails to comply with the payment terms or a force majeure event occurs, as defined below.

6. TAKING BACK GOODS

The Supplier may not, under any circumstances, be required to take back the equipment. If the Supplier does agree to take back equipment, it will be taken back as a commercial gesture, for standard equipment, and not for specific equipment produced on request or on the basis of terms of reference. Goods will only be taken back with the Supplier’s prior written consent and the goods must be unused and in their original packaging. Goods may only be taken back within fifteen (15) days of the date of delivery. The goods must be returned carriage and packaging paid and the delivery slip number must be provided. The Supplier may decide to reduce the value of the goods refunded.

7. WARRANTY AND LIABILITY

1) Warranty and liability exclusions

The contractual warranty and the Supplier’s liability are excluded in the following cases: • for wearable parts, • in the event that equipment other than original equipment, or materials supplied by another supplier, by the Customer or recommended by it are used; • in the event that assistance, repairs or alterations are performed by the Customer or a third party without the Supplier’s prior consent, • if the equipment is not used in line with its intended use or is used in an abnormal or atypical manner or in a way that does not conform to the normal intended use of the equipment or the technical characteristics recommended by the Supplier or in the event that the equipment is not stored properly owing to an act or omission of the Customer, • in the event of negligence, a lack of surveillance, a lack of maintenance or poor assembly, • if the Customer is not up to date with its payments, as the Customer is not authorised to suspend or postpone payments owing to a refusal to implement the warranty.

2) Contractual warranty

a) Defects and equipment covered

Under the warranty, the Supplier is required to correct any malfunction caused by a defect in the design, materials or production (including assembly if it is also responsible for it) within the limits of the provisions set out below. The warranty only covers original equipment bearing the Supplier’s brand or marketed by the Supplier.

b) Warranty period and effective date

Unless otherwise agreed, the warranty only applies to defects that appear within six (6) months of the date of delivery. If the equipment is used by several teams, the said period is reduced to three (3) months. Replacement and repaired parts are covered by the warranty on the same terms and conditions as apply for the original equipment and for a further identical period. However, in the event that a part or component of a set or a sub-set is changed, this shall not extend the warranty period for the set or sub-set, under any circumstances whatsoever.

c) Customer’s obligations

To make a claim under the warranty, the Customer must inform the Supplier of the defects alleged in the equipment, in writing and within no more than forty-eight (48) hours of the occurrence of the said defects, supply all available evidence of the existence of the said defects and give the Supplier every opportunity to verify the existence of the said defects and correct them.

d) Claims under the warranty

If a claim is made under the warranty, the Supplier is solely required to replace the parts that it has acknowledged as defective or, at its election, to repair the said parts in its workshops. The Supplier reserves the right to modify the equipment in order to fulfil its obligations, where necessary. The Customer shall give the Supplier every opportunity to verify the existence of the said defects and correct them. If the Supplier considers that repairs need to be carried out on site, the terms and conditions govern-ing the repairs under the warranty shall be agreed and, in all cases, the Customer shall bear the cost of the preliminary and research work or dismantling or reassembly work rendered necessary owing to the circumstances in which the said equipment is used or set up and the elements that were not included in the relevant supply. The Customer shall bear the cost of transporting the equipment or defective parts and the return of the repaired or replacement parts or equipment. Likewise, in the event that repairs are to be per-formed at the place where it is installed, the travelling and accommodation costs incurred by the Supplier’s agents shall also be borne by the Customer. Parts replaced free of charge shall be made available to the Supplier and the Supplier shall recover title thereto. Where, after an assessment has been carried out or repairs have been performed in the Supplier’s workshops or at the place where it is installed, it is established that the Supplier was not liable and that the detected defect is not attributable to the Supplier and cannot be claimed under the warranty, the Supplier shall be entitled to demand payment of compensation for all costs incurred, including the cost of the response team, transport and the replacement or repair of the relevant parts. No compensation may be claimed, for any reason whatsoever, such as for the cost of the labour required for dismantling and reassembly, costs incurred due to equipment downtime or operating costs, transport, accommodation or travelling costs or for incidents that may occur.

3) Liability

a) Definition

The Supplier’s liability is strictly limited to its compliance, or the compliance of its sub-contractors, with the expressly agreed contractual specifications. The Supplier shall produce the equipment or provide the service requested by the Customer in accordance with best industry practice.

b) Limits

The Supplier’s civil liability, for all claims other than personal injury or gross negligence claims, is limited to the amount of the supplies received on the date of performance. The Supplier is not required to compensate the harmful consequences of breaches or defaults by the Customer or third parties in relation to the performance of the contract or damage caused by the Customer’s use of technical documents, information or data issued by the Customer or imposed by the Customer. The Supplier shall not, under any circumstances, be required to compensate direct and/or indirect non-material damage such as operating losses, loss of profits, loss of chance, disruption to its business or loss of earnings etc.

c) Implementation

The Supplier may only be held liable if the Customer has first established the existence of the dam-age, the existence of wrongful conduct by the Supplier and the fact that the damage was caused by the said.

d) Waiver of recourse

The Customer agrees to waive all rights of recourse against the Supplier and the Supplier’s insurers and to procure that its insurers and third parties in a contractual relationship with it also waive all such rights, beyond the limits and exclusions determined in these general terms.

4) Force majeure

Neither party may be held liable for any delay or default in performing one of its obligations under the contract if the said delay or default was directly or indirectly caused by a force majeure event. For the purposes hereof, “force majeure” shall be interpreted more broadly than the meaning given to it by the French courts, and shall include, for example: • the occurrence of a natural disaster, • an earthquake, storm, fire or flooding etc., • armed conflict, war, terrorist attacks, • industrial dispute or total or partial strike at the premises of the Supplier or the Customer, • industrial dispute or total or partial strike at the premises of the Supplier, service providers, trans-porters, postal services or public services, etc. • mandatory order issued by the authorities (import bans, embargo), • epidemic or pandemic affecting the Supplier or its own suppliers, sub-contractors or service provid-ers, • operating accidents, broken machinery, explosion, • supplier default. Each party shall notify the other party, as quickly as possible and by letter sent by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt, of the occurrence of a force majeure event of which it becomes aware and which it believes could affect the performance of the contract.

9. IMPORT AND EXPORT CONTROL

Certain pieces of equipment may contain technology or software falling within the scope of the export control laws of the USA and the EU as well as the laws of the countries in which the equipment is delivered or used - in particular regulations on defence or dual-use goods, under which export or import licences may be required. The Customer shall be personally responsible for all rules governing the export of parts integrated in its equipment and may not assert a force majeure event or other exonerating reason if there is a ban on importing the said equipment or the components thereof. The Customer shall inform the Supplier in advance of the existence of any such regulations applicable to its supplies or services imposing obligations on the Supplier. The equipment may not be sold, rented or transferred to restricted users or countries or users or countries that would use them for mass destruction or to commit genocide. The Supplier shall not be liable for any delays or other conse-quences arising from the application of the said regulations. Contractual deadlines shall be extended by the time required to obtain the permissions. In any case, the invoice must be paid in accordance with the terms defined herein or in the special terms and conditions.

10. DISPUTES

The parties undertake to attempt to settle their disputes amicably before referring the matter to the relevant court. If an amicable settlement cannot be reached, any dispute relating to the formation, interpretation or performance of the contract shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the place of the Supplier’s registered office, even in the event of third party claims for indemnity or impleader or cases involving multiple defendants and regardless of the agreed places of payment or delivery. The contract and any subsequent ancillary matters shall be governed exclusively by French law. If the contract involves an international element, the Vienna Convention of 11 April 1980 on the international sale of goods shall also apply. Any document issued by the Customer in a language other than French shall not be treated as a binding document, unless the Supplier expressly agrees to treat it as a binding document. In the event of conflicting interpretations between a French version and a foreign language version of a document, the French version shall prevail. Filed with the Expert Assessments and Industry Practice Office (Bureau des Expertises et des Usages Professionnels) of the Paris Commercial Court on 13 February 2023 under N°D2023016639.

Data: 2024-07-17

1. Champ d’application

Les ventes et livraisons de RINGSPANN AG sont effectuées exclusivement selon ces conditions de livraison et de paiement ("Conditions de livraison"). L’acheteur accepte les conditions de livraison en passant la commande ou en acceptant la livraison. Elles s’appliquent également à toutes les transactions futures avec l’acheteur. La validité de toute condition dérogatoire ou complémentaire de l’acheteur est exclue, même si nous ne l’avons pas expressément contestée.

2. Offre et conclusion du contrat

Seules nos lettres d’offre et de confirmation font foi en ce qui concerne l’étendue et le type de livraison. La commande est acceptée lorsque nous l’avons confirmée par écrit ; jusque-là, notre offre est non contraignante. Les dimensions, poids, illustrations et dessins ne sont contraignants pour l’exécution de la commande que si nous l’avons confirmé par écrit.

Nous nous réservons les droits de propriété réelle et intellectuelle des illustrations, dessins, croquis et autres documents. Ils ne peuvent être rendus accessibles à des tiers sans notre consentement et doivent nous être restitués sur demande.

L’acheteur garantit que les dessins d’exécution qu’il a soumis ne violent pas les droits de tiers. Nous ne sommes pas tenus de vérifier auprès de l’acheteur si nous violons les droits de tiers en cas de fabrication sur la base de dessins d’exécution qui nous sont soumis. L’acheteur s’oblige à nous indemniser contre toute demande de tiers fondées sur la violation de leur droits par les dessins d’exécution que l’acheteur nous a soumis.

Nous ne fournissons des ateliers de travail ou des dessins individualisés que si cela a été convenu lors du placement de la commande et que nous l’avons confirmé par écrit.

3. Prix et conditions de livraison

Les prix s’entendent départ usine (Incoterms 2020) et ne comprennent pas, notamment, la taxe sur la valeur ajoutée, l’emballage, le fret et les frais de port. Sauf convention contraire, nos prix en vigueur au moment de la conclusion du contrat sont applicables. L’emballage est facturé au prix coûtant.

La livraison s’effectue départ usine (Incoterms 2020).

4. Conditions de paiement

Le paiement est effectué dans les trente (30) jours suivant la réception de la facture, sans déduction, par virement bancaire. Les réparations et autres services sont payables sans déduction immédiatement dès réception de la facture.

L’acheteur n’a le droit de compenser que si nous avons reconnu sa contre-prétention ou si elle a été légalement établie. Il en va de même pour tout droit de rétention. En cas de défauts de l’objet de la livraison, les droits de l’acheteur ne sont pas affectés.

Si l’acheteur est en demeure paiement, des intérêts moratoires d’un montant de 5% seront facturés. Tout préjudice supplémentaire causé par la demeure reste réservé.

5. Réserve de propriété

La propriété de la marchandise demeure réservée dès la livraison et jusqu’à réception de tous les paiements prévus par le contrat de livraison (indépendamment d’une inscription de réserve de propriété dans le registre correspondant et/ou du transfert effectif de la propriété ; la marchandise désignée dans la présente clause comme "marchandise sous réserve de propriété").

L’acheteur ne peut ni mettre en gage la marchandise sous réserve de propriété ni la céder à titre de garantie. L’acheteur doit nous informer immédiatement de toute saisie, confiscation ou d’autres actes de dispositions par des tiers.

Lorsque l’acheteur viole le contrat, notamment en cas de demeure de paiement, nous sommes en droit de reprendre la marchandise sous réserve de propriété et l’acheteur est tenu de la restituer. L’exercice de la réserve de propriété par nous ne constitue pas une résiliation du contrat.

La requête d’une procédure de faillite nous autorise à résilier le contrat et à exiger la remise immédiate de la marchandise sous réserve de propriété.

Si la marchandise sous réserve de propriété est mélangée ou unie par l’acheteur avec d’autres objets pour former un seul objet, il est convenu que l’acheteur nous transfère la copropriété au prorata au sens de l’art. 727 al. 1 du Code civil suisse et qu’il conserve l’objet en notre nom.

L’acheteur ne peut revendre la marchandise sous réserve de propriété que dans le cadre de son activité commerciale usuelle, à ses conditions usuelles et tant qu’il n’est pas en demeure et à condition qu’il convienne d’une réserve de propriété avec son client et que les créances résultant de la revente nous soient transférées. Il n’a pas le droit de disposer de la marchandise sous réserve de propriété différemment. Les créances du client découlant de la marchandise sous réserve de propriété nous sont cédées et transmises immédiatement ; nous acceptons cette transmission. Elles servent de garantie dans la même mesure que les marchandises réservées.

L’acheteur est autorisé, sous réserve de révocation, à recouvrer en son propre nom les créances qui nous ont été cédées en fiducie. Nous pouvons révoquer cette autorisation si l’acheteur est en défaut de respecter ses obligations majeures, telles que le paiement à notre égard ; en cas de révocation, nous sommes en droit de recouvrer nous-mêmes la créance.

En cas de livraison dans d’autres systèmes juridiques dans lesquels la clause de réserve de propriété énoncée ci-dessus n’a pas le même effet de sécurité qu’en Suisse, l’auteur de la commande doit faire tout ce qui est en son pouvoir pour nous constituer sans délai des sûretés équivalentes. L’acheteur doit coopérer à toutes les mesures, telles que l’enregistrement, la publication, etc., qui sont nécessaires et favorables à la validité et à l’exécution de ces sûretés.

6. Délai de livraison

Le délai et les dates de livraison sont approximatifs et ne sont contraignants que s’il a été convenu dans le contrat qu’ils le sont. Le délai de livraison commence à courir dès que tous les détails techniques pour l’exécution ont été clarifiés et que les deux parties sont d’accord sur tous les aspects de la transaction.

Les événements imprévus indépendants de notre volonté, par exemple les perturbations opérationnelles, les retards de livraison de nos fournisseurs, les rebuts dans notre entreprise ou chez le fournisseur ainsi que les cas de force majeure, nous libèrent de l’obligation de livraison ou de prestation pendant leur durée. Les délais ou dates de livraison et d’exécution sont prolongés ou reportés de la durée de la perturbation.

Nous n’acceptons les commandes dont la livraison s’étend sur plusieurs livraison partielles que si l’acheteur indique une date de réception pour chaque livraison partielle et si le délai total de livraison de la commande ne dépasse pas douze (12) mois. A l’expiration des douze (12) mois convenus, nous sommes en droit de mettre à la disposition de l’acheteur la totalité de la quantité restante sans préavis, même si l’acheteur est en demeure d’accepter les livraisons partielles précédentes.

Si l’acheteur est en demeure ou viole d’autres obligations de coopération, nous sommes en droit, sans préjudice de nos autres droits, de stocker la marchandise de manière appropriée aux risques et aux frais de l’acheteur ou de résilier le contrat conformément aux dispositions légales.

Nous pouvons effectuer des livraisons partielles pour des raisons légitimes, à condition que cela soit raisonnable pour l’acheteur.

7. Responsabilité pour les défauts de la livraison

La qualité de la marchandise livrée est mesurée exclusivement en fonction des données de performance et des dimensions figurant dans le catalogue. Dans le cas de produits fabriqués sur mesure pour l’acheteur, la qualité convenue est mesurée exclusivement selon le dessin de conception approuvé par l’acheteur.

Nous nous réservons le droit de modifier légèrement l’objet de la livraison en ce qui concerne sa construction, son matériau et/ou sa conception, pour autant que cela ne modifie pas la qualité convenue.

Les droits de l’acheteur en raison des défauts de la marchandise livrée exigent qu’il inspecte la marchandise dès sa livraison et qu’il nous notifie les défauts par écrit sans délai, toutefois au plus tard deux semaines après la livraison ; les défauts cachés doivent nous être notifiés par écrit sans délai après leur découverte.

En cas d’avis de défaut, nous sommes en droit de contrôler la marchandise livrée faisant l’objet de la réclamation. L’acheteur doit nous accorder le temps et l’opportunité nécessaires à cet effet. Nous pouvons exiger de l’acheteur qu’il nous renvoie, à nos frais, la marchandise livrée faisant l’objet de la réclamation.

Si un avis de défaut de l’acheteur s’avère injustifié et si l’acheteur le savait ou aurait dû le savoir avant de notifier l’avis de défaut, il est tenu de nous indemniser pour tous les dommages encourus à cet égard, par exemple des frais de déplacement, d’expédition et d’inspection.

Nous remédions aux défauts, à notre discrétion, en réparant gratuitement le défaut ou en livrant gratuitement une marchandise de remplacement exempte de défaut. L’acheteur doit nous accorder le temps et l’opportunité raisonnables nécessaires à la réparation. Nous pouvons, à notre discrétion, effectuer une livraison de remplacement même après une tentative de réparation infructueuse. L’action rédhibitoire et la réduction du prix d’achat ne sont autorisées que si les conditions préalables à la résiliation selon l’article 9 sont remplies.

Les droits de l’acheteur en raison de défauts sont exclus en particulier dans les cas suivants : (i) en cas d’usure normale ; (ii) si les objets livrés sont endommagés pour des raisons imputables à l’acheteur, notamment en raison d’une utilisation non conforme, du non-respect du mode d’emploi, d’une mise en service incorrecte ou d’une manipulation incorrecte (par exemple, une sollicitation excessive) ; (iii) en cas de montage ou d’installation incorrects par l’acheteur ou par des tiers mandatés par l’acheteur ; (iv) en cas d’utilisation d’accessoires ou de pièces de rechange inadaptés ; (v) si l’acheteur effectue un montage ou une installation incorrects ; ou (vi) en cas d’exécution de modifications ou de réusinage sans notre accord.

Le délai de prescription des droits de l’acheteur en raison de défauts est de douze mois à compter du transfert des risques.

8. Limitation de la responsabilité, indemnisation

Notre obligation de verser des dommages et intérêts est limitée comme suit :

1. Toute responsabilité pour négligence légère et moyenne est exclue dans la me-sure permise par la loi. Nous ne sommes pas responsables des auxiliaires.


2. Toute responsabilité pour les dommages indirects et consécutifs, le manque à gagner ainsi que les dommages résultant de défauts de l’objet de la livraison est exclue dans la mesure permise par la loi.


3. Les limitations de responsabilité susmentionnées ne s’appliquent pas en cas de dommages causés intentionnellement ou par négligence grave, en cas de dommages corporels causés de manière coupable ainsi que pour la responsabilité en vertu de la loi sur la responsabilité du fait des produits ou en cas d’autres responsabilité dont on ne peut déroger. En outre, elles ne s’appliquent pas si et dans la mesure où nous avons assumé une obligation d’indemnisation.

L’acheteur est tenu de prendre les mesures appropriées pour éviter et minimiser les dommages.

9. Droit de résiliation

L’acheteur n’a le droit de résilier le contrat que si nous avons laissé expirer sans succès un délai raisonnable fixé par l’acheteur pour éliminer un défaut dont nous sommes responsables ou si la livraison est retardée en raison d’une circonstance dont nous sommes responsables et qu’un délai raisonnable fixé par l’acheteur pour la livraison a expiré sans succès ou si l’élimination du défaut ou la livraison est impossible.

10. Dispositions générales

Le lieu d’exécution et le for sont à Zoug. Toutefois, nous sommes en droit d’intenter action contre l’acheteur devant tout autre for prévu par la loi. L’acheteur ne peut transférer ses droits contractuels ou le contrat à des tiers sans notre consentement exprès. Dans la mesure où la forme écrite est prévue dans les présentes conditions de livraison, celle-ci inclut le courrier électronique.

Si une disposition des présentes conditions de livraison est invalide, en tout ou en partie, cela n’affecte pas la validité des autres dispositions.

Les présentes conditions de livraison ainsi que les relations contractuelles entre les parties sont régies par le droit suisse, à l’exclusion du droit international privé et de la Convention des Nations Unies sur les contrats de vente internationale de marchandises (CVIM).

Valable à partir de: 01.11.2021