Terms of service.
General terms and conditions
These are the General Terms and Conditions of Clement Taffin (hereinafter referred to as “Clement Taffin”), a company having its registered office at Sonoystraat 17B, Rotterdam. Clement Taffin is registered at the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce under number 70580243.
Definitions
In these General Terms and Conditions the following terms have the subsequent meaning unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Terms and Conditions: these general terms and conditions.
Company: the Counterparty acting in the conduct of a business or profession.
CC: the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek).
Assignment: All activities, in any form, performed by Clement Taffin for (the benefit) of the Counterparty.
Distance Service (dienstverlening op afstand): a contract that is concluded between Clement Taffin and the Counterparty under an organized distance service provision scheme, with the exclusive use of one or more means of distance communication up to and including the time at which the contract is concluded.
Agreement: each agreement concluded between Clement Taffin and the Counterparty.
Counterparty: the Company that has accepted these Terms and Conditions and has given instructions to perform an Assignment.
Unless the Terms and Conditions explicitly state otherwise, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and reference to the male form shall include the female form and vice versa, in relation to the interpretation of the Terms and Conditions.
Applicability
These Terms and Conditions are applicable to all offers and Agreements made between Clement Taffin and the Counterparty unless the parties have expressly waived these Terms and Conditions in writing.
These Terms and Conditions are also applicable to agreements with Clement Taffin, where third parties should be involved for the fulfillment of the agreement.
The applicability of terms and conditions of the Counterparty is hereby excluded explicitly.
Deviations of the Agreement and Terms and Conditions shall only be valid in case these have been explicitly agreed upon in writing.
Offers
All offers where the contrary has not been explicitly stated, qualify as a non-committal offer and can always be revoked, also if it includes a term for acceptance. Offers can also be revoked within seven days after receipt by Clement Taffin, in which case no agreement will be concluded.
All offers of Clement Taffin are valid for a period of 4 weeks, unless indicated otherwise.
Clement Taffin shall not be bound to his offers when the Counterparty, based on reasonableness and fairness (redelijkeheid en billijkheid) and in general accepted principles (in het maatschappelijk verkeer gangbare opvattingen), should have understood that the offer (in whole or in part) contains an obvious mistake or error.
In the event the acceptance (whether on minor points or not) deviates from the offer, Clement Taffin shall not be bound to such acceptance. Unless Clement Taffin states otherwise, the Agreement will not be concluded in accordance with such deviating acceptance.
Conclusion of the agreement
The Agreement is concluded by the acceptance of the Counterparty of the offer of Clement Taffin.
Offers can only be accepted in writing (including those made through electronic means). Clement Taffin is nonetheless entitled to acknowledge a verbal acceptance as if this would have been made in writing.
The Agreement is concluded upon signing of the confirmation of assignment by both the Counterparty and Clement Taffin, or upon the effective start of the execution by Clement Taffin.
The Agreement replaces all previous proposals, correspondence or other communication, in writing or verbally.
Performance of the agreement
The Agreement will be performed by Clement Taffin to the best of its knowledge and ability, and in accordance with good professional practice. The activities to be performed are subject to a best efforts obligation on the part of Clement Taffin. The application of article 7:404, 7:407 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code is explicitly excluded.
Clement Taffin determines how and by whom the Assignment is performed. Clement Taffin is authorized to let third parties carry out certain tasks.
Clement Taffin is authorized to perform the Agreement in phases. In case the Agreement is performed in phases, Clement Taffin is entitled to invoice each executed part separately. If, and as long as an invoice is not paid by the Counterparty, Clement Taffin is not required to perform the next phase and is authorized to suspend (opschorten) the performance of the Agreement.Clement Taffin
Changes and additional work
If during the performance of the Agreement it appears to be necessary to change or supplement the Agreement for an adequate execution Clement Taffin will inform the Counterparty as soon as possible. Parties will proceed changing the Agreement timely and in consultation with each other.
If the parties agree that the Agreement needs to be changed/supplemented, the time to completion of the performance can be influenced by this. The Counterparty will be informed accordingly by Clement Taffin as soon as possible.
If the changes or supplement to the Agreement will have financial, quantitative and/or qualitative consequences, the Counterparty will be informed of this by Clement Taffin in advance.
If a fixed fee or fixed price is agreed upon, Clement Taffin will indicate to what extent the changes/supplement of the Agreement impacts the fee/price. In this case Clement Taffin will try – to the extent possible - to provide a quotation in advance.
Clement Taffin will not be entitled to charge additional costs in case the changes/supplement are due to circumstances attributable to Clement Taffin.
Changes made to the original Agreement shall only be valid once these changes are accepted by both parties by means of a supplementary or changed agreement.
Obligations Counterparty
The Counterparty makes sure that all information, equipment or spaces required for the performance of the Agreement as indicated by Clement Taffin, or which the Counterparty should reasonably understand are required for the performance, are available in time. In addition, the Counterparty needs to provide all rights and authorizations to Clement Taffin that are required to execute the Assignment adequately.
Clement Taffin is not liable for any damages, of any kind, as a result of using incorrect and/or incomplete information provided by the Counterparty with respect to the performance of the Agreement, unless this inaccuracy or incompleteness should be known by Clement Taffin.
The Counterparty will ensure that the employees of the Counterparty's organization who are involved in the activities, are available in time.
The Counterparty should refrain from conduct which makes it impossible for Clement Taffin to properly execute the Assignment.
In case Clement Taffin or involved third parties by Clement Taffin carry out activities in relation to the Assignment at the Counterparty's location or a location designated by the Counterparty, the Counterparty will provide the reasonably desired facilities without any costs.
In case the Counterparty fails to meet its obligations as referred to in this article, Clement Taffin has the right to suspend the execution of the Agreement and/or charge the Counterparty for the extra costs, in accordance with the market prices or fees, incurred due to the delay.
Rates
The by Clement Taffin indicated rates and prices are excluding VAT, unless explicitly agreed otherwise in writing.
The rates and prices are excluding shipment-, travel-, accommodation and other expenses, unless otherwise agreed.
In case no rate or price was explicitly agreed upon, the applicable rate or price will be determined based on the actual hours worked and the usual rates of Clement Taffin.
Prior to concluding the Agreement, Clement Taffin shall promptly provide the Counterparty with an overview of all additional costs, or shall provide information based on which these costs can be charged to the Counterparty.
In case Clement Taffin agreed a fixed rate or price upon concluding the Agreement, Clement Taffin is entitled to increase these, even in the event such rate or price was not provided under conditions/with reservation.
In the event Clement Taffin intends to change the rate or price, it shall inform the Counterparty accordingly as soon as possible
In case the increase of the rate or price takes place within three months after concluding the Agreement, the Counterparty is entitled to cancel (ontbinden) the Agreement by a written notification, unless:
the increase derives from an authorization or a legal obligation of Clement Taffin under the laws of The Netherlands;
the increase is due to an increase of the price of raw materials, taxes, production costs, exchange rates, wages etcetera or for other reasons that could not have been reasonably foreseen upon conclusion of the Agreement;
Clement Taffin is prepared to execute the Agreement in accordance with originally agreed provisions; or
it has been stipulated that the execution will take place longer than three months after concluding the Agreement.
Payment
Payment shall be made by means of a transfer into a bank account indicated by Clement Taffin, unless otherwise agreed.
Clement Taffin will send an invoice for the amounts payable by the Counterparty. The payment period of each invoice is 14 days after the date of the invoice, unless indicated differently on the invoice or otherwise agreed.
Invoicing takes place on a maandelijks, unless otherwise agreed.
Clement Taffin and the Counterparty may agree that the payments will take place in installments in line with the progress of the work. If payment in installments is agreed, the Counterparty must pay in accordance of the installments and percentages as included in Agreement.
Objections with respect to the amount stated in the invoice do not suspend the Counterparty's obligation to fulfill the payment.
The Counterparty may not set off (verrekenen) any amounts with the amount to be paid in relation to an alleged counterclaim.
In the event of non-payment or an overdue payment, the Counterparty will be in default (verzuim) without any notice of default being required. As from the date such payment is due the Counterparty is required to pay the statutory commercial interest rate until the date of full payment. Interest accrued in relation to a part of a month shall be calculated for a full month.
All payments received from the Counterparty shall be applied (i) first to the payment of all costs, expenses and accrued and unpaid interest and (ii) second to the repayment of the oldest overdue invoices, even if the Counterparty states that such payment relates to other invoices overdue.
In the event the Counterparty is in default due to breaching its obligations, the Counterparty shall be liable for all reasonable extrajudicial costs incurred in relation to obtaining payment.
With respect to all extrajudicial (collection) costs Clement Taffin is entitled to a compensation of 15% of the total principal amount outstanding with a minimum of €150 for each invoice which has not been paid in full or in part.
In the event of bankruptcy (faillissement), suspension of payments (surséance van betaling), liquidation, seized assets, death or guardianship the claims of Clement Taffin and the obligations of the Counterparty towards Clement Taffin shall be immediately due and payable.
Any reasonably incurred judicial and enforcement costs shall be for the account of the Counterparty as well.
Complaints
Upon performance of the Assignment, or at least within 7 days after completion, the Counterparty shall examine whether the performed Assignment meets the Agreement.
Complaints should be reported to Clement Taffin in writing within 7 days after performing the Assignment.
The right to a (partial) refund of the price, replacement or compensation for damages expires if a complaint is not reported within the prescribed term, unless an extended term arises from the nature of the Assignment or the circumstances of the situation.
The payment obligation shall not be suspended in the event the Counterparty informs Clement Taffin of the complaint within the prescribed term.
Force majeure and unforeseen circumstances
Notwithstanding anything in these Terms and Conditions to the contrary, neither party shall be liable to the other party for any failure to perform or delay in the performance of any obligation under the Agreement when such failure to perform or delay in performance is caused by unforeseen circumstances or due to any cause or condition beyond the reasonable control of the party. In such event the parties are not required to comply with the obligations under the Agreement.
In addition to the interpretation of this concept under the laws of The Netherlands and case law, the term "force majeure" under these Terms and Conditions shall include all external causes, foreseen or unforeseen, beyond the reasonable control of Clement Taffin due to which Clement Taffin is unable to comply with its obligations.
Force majeure in relation to Clement Taffin shall in any case include:
strikes;
transport disruptions;
acts of government that prevent Clement Taffin from timely and/or proper fulfillment of its obligations;
riots, civil disturbance, wars,
traffic obstructions;
labor difficulties;
extreme weather conditions;
fire;
embargoes or inability to obtain supplies; and/or
any circumstances which obstruct the normal course of business resulting in the fact the performance of the Agreement by Clement Taffin cannot be reasonably expected by the Counterparty.
Termination
Parties may terminate the Agreement at any time by mutual agreement.
Parties may prematurely terminate the Agreement in writing with a notice period of 14 days.
Parties may terminate the Agreement with immediate effect in writing, in case of:
application by or granting to the other party of suspension of payment;
petition of bankruptcy (faillissement) by, or declaration of bankruptcy (faillietverklaring) of, the other party;
liquidation of the other party or non-timely discontinuation of the enterprise of the other party; or
In case the Agreement shall be dissolved, the payments owned by the Counterparty to Clement Taffin are immediately due and payable. If Clement Taffin suspends the fulfillment of the obligations, it will retain its claims pursuant to the laws and the Agreement. Clement Taffin will always retain the right to demand damage compensation.
The provisions of the Terms and Conditions and the Agreement, which expressly or due to their nature are intended to remain in force after termination of this Agreement or the performance of the Assignment, shall remain in full force.
Liability
Clement Taffin is only liable for direct damage caused deliberately or as a result of gross negligence of Clement Taffin, and limited to the amount paid out or covered by the insurance to Clement Taffin or limited to a one-off payment of the amount specified in the invoice.
Direct damage is exclusively understood as:
the reasonable costs of ascertaining the cause and scope of the damage, to the extent the determination is related to damage as referred to in the Terms and Conditions;
any reasonable costs incurred to repair the failure in the performance by Clement Taffin in order to meet the Agreement insofar as this can be attributed to Clement Taffin; or
reasonable costs incurred to prevent or limit damage, to the extent the Counterparty is able to demonstrate that these costs have led to a limitation of direct damage as referred to in the Terms and Conditions.
Clement Taffin shall not be liable for any indirect damage, including consequential loss, loss of profits, lost savings and damage caused by interruption of operations, loss as a result of providing insufficient cooperation and/or information to the Counterparty, damage as a result of information or advice provided by Clement Taffin, of which the contents do not explicitly form part of the Agreement and all damages which are not covered by direct damage as referred to in these Terms and Conditions.
Clement Taffin shall not be liable for mistakes in the material provided by the Counterparty or for misunderstandings or mistakes with respect to the performance of the Agreement if these are the result of actions of the Counterparty, such as late or non-delivery of complete, sound and clear information/materials.
Clement Taffin shall not be liable for mistakes in the event the Counterparty has already given approval, or has had the opportunity to carry out an inspection and has expressed no desire for such an inspection.
The liability restrictions set out in this article also apply to third parties appointed by Clement Taffin for the performance of the Agreement, and Clement Taffin shall not be liable for damages caused by failures of such third parties.
Clement Taffin shall not be liable for damage or loss of documents during transportation or mailing regardless whether these were transported or mailed by or on behalf of Clement Taffin, the Counterparty or third parties.
Confidentiality
Both parties undertake not to disclose to third parties any confidential information obtained from each other or from another source in the context of the Agreement. Information is deemed to be confidential if the other party has communicated it as such or if this results from the nature of the information. The party receiving confidential information, shall only use it for the purpose for which it was provided.
If Clement Taffin is required by law or or by any legal authority to disclose confidential information to third parties and Clement Taffin cannot invoke a legal privilege or a privilege acknowledged or approved by a competent court of law, Clement Taffin shall not be liable for any damages or compensation, and the Counterparty shall not be entitled to dissolve the Agreement pursuant to any damage caused by such disclosure.
Notwithstanding the above, Clement Taffin is authorized to include the name of the Counterparty in a list of business relations, that is published on the website for third parties or via other means, unless agreed otherwise.
Indemnification
The Counterparty indemnifies Clement Taffin, to the extent permitted by law, against liability towards one or more third parties, arisen from and/or connected to the performance of the Agreement, irrespective of whether the damage is caused or inflicted by Clement Taffin or by the third parties appointed by Clement Taffin (hulppersonen), by auxiliary materials or the completed Assignment.
In addition, the Counterparty indemnifies Clement Taffin, to the extent permitted by law, against all liabilities from third parties in connection with any infringement of Intellectual property rights of these third parties.
The Counterparty is always required to use its best efforts to limit the damage to a minimum.
Intellectual property
All intellectual property rights to all the provided products, materials, analyses, designs, software, documentation, opinions, reports, quotes, (electronic) information and preparatory material thereof (together the "IE Material"), developed or provided as part of the Agreement, are owned by the Counterparty due to the nature of the services provided by Clement Taffin.
The Counterparty's sole rights and authorizations with respect to the IE Material derive from the Agreement and/or are expressly conferred in writing.
All the IE Material developed by Clement Taffin for the execution of the Agreement may be used for promotional purposes by Clement Taffin, unless otherwise agreed.
Privacy
Clement Taffin respects the privacy of the Counterparty. Clement Taffin handles and processes all personal data provided in accordance with the applicable legislation, specifically the Personal Data Protection Act (Wet Bescherming Persoonsgegevens). The Counterparty agrees with this handling. Clement Taffin applies appropriate security measures for the protection of personal data of the Counterparty.
Clement Taffin will use the personal data of the Counterparty exclusively for the performance of the Agreement or to deal with a complaint.
For more information with respect to privacy we refer to the website of Clement Taffin.
Expiration term
All claims and/or authorizations which the Counterparty may have against Clement Taffin and/or any third parties appointed by Clement Taffin have, by way of derogation from statutory limitation period (verjaringstermijn), a limitation period of one year starting upon the occurrence of an event resulting in gaining such claims and/or authorizations by the Counterparty against Clement Taffin and/or any third parties appointed by Clement Taffin.
Changes to parties
The Counterparty is not entitled to transfer its rights and obligations under the Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of Clement Taffin.
Clement Taffin is entitled to impose conditions in relation to such consent.
Final provisions
Any deviations from these Terms and Conditions can only be agreed in writing. No rights shall derive from such deviations with regards to legal relationships entered into subsequently.
The administration of Clement Taffin is considered, subject to counter-evidence, as proof of the requests made by the Counterparty. The Counterparty recognizes that electronic communication may serve as proof.
In case and to the extent that any provision of these Terms and Conditions and/or the Agreement will be declared invalid or unenforceable under the applicable legislation and regulations, the other provisions or parts of the provisions will continue to apply. Clement Taffin replaces the provision in question with a valid and enforceable provision that differs as little as possible from the original provision.
The place of performance of the Agreement shall be deemed the place where Clement Taffin is located.
Governing law and jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions and the Agreement, and all non-contractual rights and obligations arising thereto, are governed by and will be interpreted in accordance with the laws of The Netherlands.
All disputes between Clement Taffin and the Counterparty related to these Terms and Conditions and the Agreement, or the agreements concluded in the performance of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions and the Agreement, will be submitted exclusively to the competent court of Rotterdam.