1. General information and scope of application

1.1. The following general terms & conditions of sale (GTCS) shall be applicable to all our business relationships with our customers unless other terms and conditions are specifically agreed. Our GTCS are only valid for business entities within the meaning of § [Article] 14 BGB [German Civil Code]. Business transactions conducted with entities organized under public law and special funds governed by public law shall be treated in the same manner as business transactions conducted with business entities.

1.2. Our GTCS are applicable in all cases unless we specifically acknowledge the customer’s terms and conditions in writing. This provision also applies in cases where we make delivery even though we are aware that the customer’s terms and conditions, or those of a third party, are contradictory to or at variance with our own. Even if we make reference to documents that contain or refer to the customer’s or a third party’s terms and conditions of business, such reference does not imply that we agree that such terms and conditions of business are applicable.

1.3. Our GTCS are also valid for all future business transactions with the customer without the necessity for us to again make any particular reference to them.

2. Information and advice, documents

Information and advice regarding our products is provided on the basis of our experience to date. The stated attribute values, including in particular those pertaining to our products’ possible applications, are merely attributes and do not represent a representation of properties relating to the products. We cannot assume any obligation to exactly match the attributes and application possibilities. Should the customer nevertheless be entitled to damages, item 6 of these GTCS shall apply.

3. Conclusion and content of the supply contract

3.1. Our offers are always non-binding and without obligation, unless we specify a period of validity that is binding on us or a specific time limit for acceptance. A supply contract is only deemed to have been concluded if we expressly confirm the customer’s order in writing or make the delivery without a separate confirmation. The content of the supply contract is defined by our order confirmation; in the event of delivery without a separate order confirmation, our delivery note shall be regarded as the order confirmation. Oral declarations or promises made before a contract is entered into are non-binding in all cases and are superseded by the written contract.

3.2. All information about our products, particularly data contained in our offers and publications such as any illustrations or drawings, and any representations made concerning their quality, quantity, weight, measurement, and performance, represent only approximate attributes and are not representations as to the properties attributable to them. If no limits to permitted variations are specified in the order confirmation and none are contained in expressly acknowledged customer specifications, then any variations that are customary in the trade shall be permissible in each instance. The properties, suitability, qualification, function and intended use of our products are determined exclusively by our performance descriptions and technical qualifications. Public statements, endorsements, or advertisements made by us or third parties are not representations of properties attributable to our products.

3.3. Appropriately identified usage of products in accordance with the European Community Directive REACH does not constitute either agreement to any contractually agreed product properties or constitute usage that is assumed under the terms of the contract..

3.4. Guarantees of the properties or shelf life of our products must be expressly identified as such in our order confirmation. If samples or specimens are delivered, the properties attributable to them shall not be regarded as guaranteed unless the order confirmation expressly provides otherwise. The same shall apply to any analytical data provided.

4. Prices/payment terms

4.1. Our prices do not include statutory value-added tax; the respective amount is shown separately on the face of the invoice. Our prices include standard packaging. We do not take back any packaging that is included in the selling price or any other normal packaging. Packaging that is provided on loan shall be returned to us, carriage paid, immediately after the contents have been removed, at the latest within thirty (30) days. If this time limit is exceeded, we will charge for the cost of any packaging provided on loan.

4.2. All prices quoted are ex works unless otherwise stated in the order confirmation. All shipping costs are borne by the customer if nothing else has been agreed in writing. The applicable carriage rates, rates of duty, and other fees associated with the shipment are those that are in effect on the date on which the shipment is dispatched.

4.3. Deduction of cash discounts is only permissible if previously agreed in writing.

4.4. We reserve the right to adjust our prices accordingly if cost reductions or cost increases occur after the conclusion of the contract, especially if changes occur to procurement costs, material costs etc. Amongst other things, this provision applies to state-related duties (e.g. customs duties or taxes) - where these are introduced or increased, increases in transportation and insurance costs, high-tide or low-tide surcharges etc. Evidence of such costs will be provided to customers upon request.

4.5. The customer shall only be entitled to enforce rights of set-off or rights of retention if the counterclaim or the right of retention has been legally established, is uncontested and has been acknowledged by us in writing

4.6. The purchase price is payable within thirty (30) days of the invoice date. At the end of this period the customer will be in default.

4.7. If payment is not received by the due date, we will demand interest amounting to 8% p. a. above the base interest rate of the European Central Bank, whereby a claim for higher damages may be made if proven.

4.8. Our claims become due immediately, regardless of the term of any bill of exchange accepted towards performance, if the customer does not comply with contractual agreements. In the event of payment delay, protest of a bill of exchange, or suspension of payment by the customer, we may demand immediate payment of our entire claim - including any claims deriving from circulating bills of exchange - regardless of the stipulated due date. This shall also apply if circumstances become known to us that give rise to reasonable and significant doubts as to the customer’s ability to pay or creditworthiness, even if these circumstances already existed when the goods were ordered but were not known to us or need not necessarily have been known to us. In all of the above-mentioned cases, we are also entitled to make deliveries that are still outstanding only against payment in advance or on provision of security and, if no advance payment is made or if no security is furnished within two weeks, to withdraw from the contract without setting another time limit. Further claims shall remain unaffected.

4.9. The customer is not entitled to assign claims arising under this contract to third parties without our written consent.

5. Delivery and transfer of risk

5.1. In cases where the order confirmation includes delivery periods and delivery dates that are not explicitly defined as being fixed, but are only regarded to be approximations, the customer may, two weeks after the expiry of these delivery periods and dates, fix a reasonable period for the delivery. Only at the end of this additional period will we be in default.

5.2. If delivery is delayed or proves to be impossible, we shall be liable for damages only in accordance with item 6 of these GTCs. The loss from delay to be compensated by us - as per item 6 of these GTCS - shall be limited to 0.5% of the value of the delayed delivery or partial delivery for each completed week, but to no more than 5% of the value of the delayed (partial) delivery.

5.3. In cases of force majeure, such as business disruption, transport delays, measures in connection with labour disputes - particularly strikes and lockouts - and in the case of non-delivery, incorrect or delayed delivery by our suppliers for whatever reason (self-supply reservation), as well as in case of other obstructions to delivery for which we are not responsible, we may postpone the delivery for the duration of the impediment and a reasonable lead time thereafter.

5.4. If the impediment is expected to be a lasting one, we shall have the right to refuse delivery of all or a part of the goods. We will provide written notice to the customer if such a circumstance arises. In this case the customer shall have no claim to damages against us. The customer is then released from his responsibility of reciprocal performance and any consideration already provided will be returned.

5.5. We are entitled to make partial deliveries if the customer is able to use the partial delivery for the contractually intended purpose, delivery of the remainder of the ordered goods is assured and the customer does not thereby incur any significant additional expenditure or additional costs (unless we declare that we are willing to assume such costs). The place of performance is always Hamburg.

5.6. If delivery on call is stipulated, the call-offs must be made within three months after the contract is entered into, unless otherwise agreed in writing. In the event the call for delivery is not made within the agreed period, item 5.8 of these GTCS shall apply accordingly.

5.7. All sales are ex works. Shipping and transport are always at the customer’s risk. The risk passes to the customer in this case - even for partial deliveries - as soon as the shipment has been handed over to the person performing the transport, regardless of whether this person belongs to our company or is an outside entity, or as soon as the shipment has left our factory for the purpose of dispatch, unless item 5.8 of these GTCS becomes applicable.

5.8. If the customer refuses to accept the goods, or if there is a delay in dispatching the shipment for other reasons attributable to the customer, the passing of risk shall occur with the beginning of the customer’s default in acceptance. The customer shall bear any storage costs incurred after risk is passed. We shall be entitled to charge for storage costs at a flat rate of 0.5% of the invoice amount for each month or alternatively to charge for any actual loss, unless the customer can prove that the actual loss is lower. Besides this, we may grant the customer an extension of fourteen (14) days and, after expiry of the extension period to no avail, we may withdraw from the contract or demand damages in lieu of performance.

6. Warranty and liability

6.1. The customer has the responsibility to carefully inspect the goods delivered immediately upon arrival at their destination, even if samples or specimens were sent beforehand. In particular, the condition of the goods shall be examined. If delivery is made in packing cases, cardboard boxes, or other containers, then a random sample is to be taken. The delivery shall be considered approved if no notification of the defects, including an exact description of the defect, is received by us in writing, or by fax, within one (1) week after receipt of the goods at the destination or, if the defect was not detectable during the inspection, within one (1) week after its discovery.

6.2. The aforementioned duty of disclosure also applies for over-deliveries and under-deliveries as well as possible wrong deliveries.

6.3. The carrier must be informed immediately of damage incurred during transport; the Standard German Freight Forwarders’ Terms and Conditions [Allgemeine Deutsche Speditionsbedingungen] are applicable in this respect.

6.4. In the event of a legitimate defect and timely notification thereof, at our choice, we shall either subsequently effect remedy through rectification of the defect or through replacement delivery of goods without a defect. If the subsequent remedy is not successful, the customer has the choice to either demand a reduction of the purchase price (right of reduction) or to rescind the contract (right of rescission). However, if the defects are only slight, the customer shall have no right to rescind the contract. If, upon subsequent failure to remedy the defect, the customer chooses to withdraw from the contract, then the customer shall not additionally be entitled to damages because of the defect.

6.5. The preceding provisions define the extent of the warranty for our goods conclusively. In particular, our liability - on whatever legal grounds - for any other claims to which the customer may be entitled because of, or in connection with, defects in the delivered goods is governed exclusively by items 6.7 and 6.11 of these GTCS.

6.6. In so far as we have provided a warranty with respect to the properties attributable to our product, our liability is governed by the relevant statutory provisions.

6.7. For claims to damages deriving from culpable acts, on whatever legal grounds, including default (or delay), faulty deliveries, breach of duties arising out of an obligation or deriving from contract negotiations, tortious acts, product liability (with the exception of liability under the German Product Liability Act [Produkthaftpflichtgesetz]), we shall be liable only for damage caused intentionally or by gross negligence, unless the provisions apply that are stated in item 6.9 below of these GTCS.

6.8. The liability for slight negligence is excluded, unless this constitutes breach of an obligation that is fundamental to the contract (cardinal obligation). Any personal liability on the part of our legal representatives, vicarious agents and employees deriving from damage caused by slight negligence on their part is excluded; moreover, any liability in such cases is also subject to limitation in accordance with the aforementioned provisions

6.9. Before making a claim against us, the customer is obliged to first pursue all possible claims against our own supplier. To this end we agree to assign to the customer any warranty and compensation claims against our own supplier to which we may be entitled. The customer is also obliged to pursue the claims judicially. If the claim against our own supplier is unsuccessful, the customer shall be entitled to make a claim against us in accordance with items 6.7, 6.8, 6.9 and 6.11 of these GTCS.

6.10. Any warranty claims of the customer are limited to a period of up to one year after delivery of the goods. Any claims for compensation for damages deriving from slight negligence are also subject to a limitation period of up to one year after delivery of the goods. In so far as the prerequisites for delivery recourse, as defined by § 478 BGB, are complied with, then the statutory limitation period defined in § 479 BGB is applicable.

6.11. We are not liable for any terms agreed between the customer and the buyers of his goods that exceed the related statutory warranty provisions

6.12. The seller is not liable in cases where fulfillment of the delivery obligation is impossible or cases where there is a delay in the fulfillment of the delivery, if the reasons for the impossibility of fulfillment or for the delay in fulfillment derive from proper compliance with regulatory requirements related to the European Chemical Directive (REACH)

7. Reservation of title

7.1. We retain the title to any goods delivered by us until the customer has settled all claims deriving from the entire business relationship. This includes any existing claims as well as any claims arising after the contract is concluded.

7.2. Any processing or restructuring of the goods carried out by the customer shall be performed on our behalf, as manufacturer within the meaning of § 950 BGB, without any obligation on our part. Processed or restructured goods are considered to be reserved goods as per item 7.1 of these GTCS. If the customer processes, restructures, combines or mixes the goods to which title is reserved with other goods not belonging to us to create a new product or a mixed product, then we shall be entitled to a co-ownership share, determined by the ratio of the invoiced value of reserved goods compared to the value of the other goods used for processing or mixing at the point in time at which they are processed. The co-owned share shall be considered to be reserved goods as per item 7.1 of these GTCS.

7.3. If the reserved goods are combined or mixed with other goods and if another component material, which does not belong to us, is regarded as being the main component of the new product within the meaning of § 947 BGB, then it is now hereby stipulated that a co-owned share shall pass to us determined by the ratio of the invoice value of the reserved goods to the value of the main component, and that the customer shall be responsible for the safe custody of the product, also on our behalf, free of charge. The co-owned share shall be considered to be reserved goods as per item 7.1 of these GTCS.

7.4. The customer is obligated at all times to keep the reserved goods fully insured against all usual risks and to provide evidence of such insurance to us upon request. The customer hereby assigns any claim entitlement deriving from the insurance to us.

7.5. The customer shall hold the reserved goods for us in safe custody. We shall be allowed upon request to perform an inventory count and appropriately label or mark the goods at the storage site at any time. The customer must immediately inform us of seizures or other impairments of our rights by third parties, stating all of the particulars that will enable us to take action against such acts by all legal means.

7.6. The customer may sell the reserved goods, but only in the ordinary course of business according to the customer’s normal terms and conditions, if it is ensured that the customer’s claims arising from the resale shall pass to us in accordance with the provisions contained in items 7.7 to 7.9 of these GTCS..

7.7. The customer hereby now assigns to us any claims, including all ancillary rights, arising from the resale of the reserved goods, including resale under the terms of contracts for work or services, or contracts for the delivery of movable things to be made or manufactured. They serve as security for us to the same extent as the reserved goods. The customer is only entitled to assign the claims to third parties with our prior written consent.

7.8. If the customer sells the reserved goods together with other goods not delivered by us, then the assignment of the claim arising from the resale shall be valid only in the amount of the invoiced value of our reserved goods at the time of delivery. For the resale of goods in which we share ownership, as per items 7.2 or 7.3 of these GTCS, the assignment of the claims shall be valid in the amount of this co-owned share.

7.9. Should the assigned claim be included in a current invoice, the customer hereby now assigns to us a portion of the balance, including the closing balance of a current account, corresponding to the amount of that claim.

7.10. The customer has the right, until it is revoked, to collect claims arising from any resale in accordance with the provisions contained in items 7.7 to 7.9 of these GTCS. This is without prejudice to our authority to collect the claim ourselves.

7.11. If the customer does not fulfill obligations under this agreement or other agreements with us, or if circumstances become known to us that diminish the customer’s creditworthiness, then

• we may prohibit the resale, processing and restructuring of the reserved goods, or the mixing or combination of those goods with other goods;
• we may withdraw from this agreement; the customer’s right to possession of the reserved goods shall then expire and we may reclaim the reserved goods; we shall then be entitled to enter the customer’s business premises and take possession of the reserved goods at the customer’s expense, and, notwithstanding the customer’s payment obligations or other obligations, sell those goods for the highest possible price through sale on the open market or by auction; we shall set off the proceeds of the sale, after incurred costs are deducted, against the customer’s liabilities; we shall pay out to any surplus to the customer.
• the customer shall, upon request, inform us of the name of the debtor of the claims assigned to us so that we may disclose the assignment and collect the amounts claimed; all proceeds from the assignments to which we are entitled shall be forwarded to us immediately upon receipt if - and as soon as - claims on our part against the customer become due for payment;
• we shall be entitled to revoke any respective direct-debit mandate that has been granted

7.12. If the realizable value of the collateral security to which we are entitled exceeds the total amount of our claims by more than 10%, then we are obliged, at the customer’s request, to release a respective part of the collateral security; the choice of the collateral security to be released shall be made at our discretion.

7.13.In case of payment default, the customer is obligated, at our request, to immediately return the reserved goods to us.

8. Place of performance/applicable law/jurisdiction

8.1. The relationship between ourselves and the customer is governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. Neither the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) nor any other existing or future bilateral or international treaties, even if adopted into German law, shall be applicable.

8.2. The place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or in connection with the business relationship to our customer shall be, at our choice, either Hamburg or the registered place of business of the customer; for lawsuits filed by the customer, the place of jurisdiction shall be exclusively Hamburg. Any statutory provisions regarding exclusive jurisdictional competence shall remain unaffected. This jurisdiction clause is inapplicable to customers who are not commercial businessmen.

9. Concluding provisions

9.1. Amendments and additions to this agreement, including this written form clause, must be in writing to be effective. The same shall apply to collateral and supplementary agreements.

9.2. Business transactions conducted with entities organised under public law and special funds governed by public law shall be treated in the same manner as business transactions with business entities.

9.3. If a provision of this agreement should be or should become ineffective in whole or in part, the ineffectiveness of this provision shall not affect the effectiveness of all other provisions of this agreement. The ineffective provision shall be replaced with a legally valid provision that comes as close to realizing the economic purpose of the ineffective provision as is legally permissible. The same shall apply to any gaps in this agreement.

1. General information and scope of application

1.1.The following general terms & conditions of purchase (GTCP) shall be applicable to all our business relationships with our business partners and suppliers. Our GTCP are only valid for business entities within the meaning of § [Article] 14 BGB [German Civil Code]. Business transactions conducted with entities organized under public law and special funds governed by public law shall be treated in the same manner as business transactions conducted with business entities.

1.2. Our GTCP are applicable in all cases unless we specifically acknowledge the customer’s terms and conditions in writing. This provision also applies in cases where we make delivery even though we are aware that the customer’s terms and conditions, or those of a third party, are contradictory to or at variance with our own. Even if we make reference to documents that contain or refer to the customer’s or a third party’s terms and conditions of business, such reference does not imply that we agree that such terms and conditions of business are applicable.

1.3. Our GTCP are also valid for all future business transactions with the customer without the necessity for us to again make any particular reference to them.

1.4. Legally relevant declarations and notifications which the seller submits to us (e.g. setting of deadlines, reminders, statements of rescission) must be made in writing in order for them to be valid.

2. Documents

All documents and exhibits, such as drawings, samples or models that we provide to the supplier in connection with our order shall remain our property. We are entitled to the copyright and related rights, as defined by German copyright law, with respect to such documents and exhibits. They shall be used solely for the purposes of manufacture based on our order; they are to be returned to us without demand once our order has been processed. The supplier has no authority, without our prior written permission, to make the content of any documents and other information that have been provided known to third parties.

3. Conclusion and content of the supply contract

3.1. Our offers are always non-binding and without obligation, unless we specify a period of validity that is binding on us or a specific time limit for acceptance. A supply contract is only deemed to have been concluded if we expressly confirm the supplier's offer in writing or accept the delivery without reservation. The content of the supply contract is governed by our order confirmation. Oral declarations or promises made before a contract is entered into are non-binding in all cases and are superseded by the written contract, unless they expressly state that they shall remain binding.

3.2. Cost estimates are binding and are not to be settled by payment unless otherwise expressly agreed..

3.3. Delivery call-offs within the framework of an order and delivery call-off schedule shall become binding if the supplier does not object within two (2) working days of receipt thereof .

4. Prices/payment terms

4.1. The price quoted in the order confirmation is binding. The price includes all services and ancillary services to be provided by the supplier (particularly assembly and/or installation) as well as all ancillary costs (particularly proper packaging and transportation costs, including any applicable transport insurance or liability insurance). The supplier is obliged to take back packaging materials at our request.

4.2. The price includes any value added tax arising at the applicable statutory rate.

4.3. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, we will make payment of the purchase price within thirty (30) days of completed delivery or provision of services (including any agreed acceptance procedure), but only after receipt of a proper invoice. If payment is made within fourteen (14) days, the supplier shall grant us a cash discount, amounting to 3% of the net invoice amount.

4.4. We are only able to process invoices if these – in accordance with the provisions contained in our order confirmation – include details of the order number that is specified there. The supplier shall be responsible for all consequences deriving from non-compliance with this obligation, unless he is in a position to demonstrate that he has no related responsibility.

4.5. We are not liable for interest from the time payment becomes due. The right of the supplier to claim interest on debt default is not affected by this provision. In the event of default the statutory provisions apply. In any case, however, issue of a reminder by the supplier is required.

4.6. We are entitled to rights of offset and retention as well as defense of lack of performance of the contract to the full extent of our statutory rights. In particular, we are entitled to withhold payments that become due as long as we have unresolved claims against the supplier deriving from incomplete or defective deliveries.

4.7. The supplier has a right of offset or retention only in respect of claims against us that have been recognized by a court of law, are undisputed, or which have been recognized by us in writing.

5. Delivery, performance and transfer of risk

5.1. The delivery schedule quoted in the order confirmation is binding. In cases where a delivery period is not specified in the order and has also not been otherwise agreed, then it is agreed as being four (4) weeks from the date of conclusion of the contract.

5.2. The supplier is obligated to notify us in writing immediately if circumstances occur or become known to him that will result in him not being able to comply with the specified delivery period; he shall inform us without delay of the expected revised date of delivery. If the supplier does not perform the delivery at all or within the period specified, or if the supplier is in default (or delay), then the statutory provisions apply, particularly those covering the right of withdrawal from the contract and the entitlement to damages. The provisions included in section 4 remain unaffected.

5.4. In case of delay in delivery, we are entitled, in addition to any further legal claims that may be processed, to demand lump-sum damages for delay in the amount of 1% of the net value of the goods that are delayed for each complete week, but not more than 5% in all. We reserve the right to claim additional damages. The supplier is entitled to provide evidence that we have incurred no damages at all or that the damages incurred by us were lower.

5.5. Partial delivery or performance will only be accepted if prior permission is granted in writing.

5.6. The supplier shall package, label and ship dangerous products in compliance with the laws and regulations that are applicable at the time the delivery is made.

5.7. The supplier is not authorised to allow work that he has contracted to perform to be performed by third parties (e.g. sub-contractors) without our prior written permission. The seller bears the risk of procurement in respect of the work that he has to perform, except in cases where a custom-made product is involved.

5.8. The delivery shall be made free of charge to the location named in the order confirmation. If the place of destination is not specified, and nothing else has been agreed, then delivery shall be made to the address of our registered location of business in Hamburg. The respective place of destination is also the place of performance (obligation to deliver at customer’s place of business).

5.9. The supplier is obliged to supply a delivery note with the delivery, which includes the date of delivery, the content of the delivery and our order number. If the delivery note is missing or incomplete, then delays, for which we are not responsible, are inevitable in processing and making payment. A separate dispatch note is to be sent to us with the same content.

5.10. The risk of accidental loss and deterioration of the ordered item shall be transferred to us at the time of its delivery to us at the place of performance. Inasmuch as acceptance is required, then this shall be definitive for the passing of the risk. Incidentally, in case of acceptance, the statutory provisions of the German Werkvertragsrecht [contract-for-work law] are correspondingly applicable. The transfer, or respectively the acceptance, is deemed to have been performed if we are in default of acceptance.

5.11. The statutory provisions are applicable if a situation occurs in which we are in default of acceptance. The seller must, however, also then explicitly offer to perform the requested delivery if a definite or definable calendar date or period has been agreed for an act to be performed by us or for our cooperation (for example: provision of materials). If we find ourselves in a situation that we are in default of acceptance, then the seller may demand compensation for any additional expenses incurred in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions. If the contract concerns an item which is to be manufactured by the seller that is considered to be untenable (i.e. a custom-made item), then the seller shall only avail himself of any additional rights if we have committed ourselves to some form of cooperation and we are responsible for the lack of cooperation.

6. Warranty and liability

6.1. Our rights in respect of defects in quality and in title (including incorrect delivery and under-delivery as well as incorrect assembly or defective assembly instructions, operating instructions or instructions for use) and other breaches of duty on the part of the supplier are governed by the relevant statutory provisions in the absence of any other specific written agreements to the contrary.

6.2. In accordance with the relevant statutory provisions, the seller is particularly liable to ensure that the good exhibit their agreed properties at the time of transfer of risk to us. In any event, all product descriptions - such as those, for instance, that are the subject matter of the respective contract through descriptions or references that are made in our order - shall be deemed to be agreements as to the properties of the goods. It is irrelevant whether the description originates from us, from the supplier or from a third party.

6.3. In deviation from § 442 (1) S. 2 BGB, we shall be entitled to make claims due to defects if the defect was unknown to us at the time the contract was concluded due to gross negligence.

6.4. The statutory provisions with respect to the commercial obligations for inspection and giving notice of claims for defects shall apply with the following proviso: our obligation to make an inspection is limited to a control of incoming goods involving an external appraisal, including examination of the delivery documents, and making a sample test for quality purposes. Notice of claims for (obvious) defects which are discovered during this control procedure is required. Apart from that, it depends to what extent inspection is expedient taking into account normal proper business procedures. Our obligation to give notice of claims for defects that are identified at a later stage shall remain unaffected. In all cases, the inspection of the goods and the notice of claims (notification of the defects) shall be made within a reasonable period. Notice of claims for defects shall be received by the supplier within a period of five (5) days either of the date of receipt of the goods in the case of obvious defects that are identified or of the date of discovery in the case of defects that are detected at a later date (hidden defects).

6.5. If the goods are delivered directly to our customers within the context of a drop shipment transaction (delivery through to customer), then the customer shall be entitled to give notice of claims for defects on our behalf in accordance with the above provisions. The possibility for us to lodge the notice of claims for the defects remains unaffected.

6.6. Inasmuch as a defect in the quality of the goods or a deficiency in title to the goods exists, then we have the general right, at our choice, to request the supplier to remove the defect (rectification) or to make a delivery that is free of defect (replacement delivery). In such circumstances, the supplier is obliged to bear all costs that are required to be incurred for the purpose of removing the defect or making the replacement delivery.

6.7. The costs incurred by the seller in connection with examination and rectification shall be borne by the seller even though it is later determined that in actual fact no defect existed. Our liability to pay compensation for requesting unjustified removal of a defect remains unaffected; in this respect, we shall only be liable, however, if we realised, or if we failed to realise in a grossly negligent manner, that a defect did not exist.

6.8. If the seller does not comply with the obligation of subsequent fulfilment at our choice within a reasonable period of time, as specified by us, then we are entitled to rectify the defect ourselves and to demand from the seller reimbursement of any required costs that we incur or, respectively, to demand an advance payment to cover such costs. If subsequent fulfilment by the seller is unsuccessful or is unacceptable to us (especially in cases involving particular urgency or the potential incurrence of excessive damages), then the setting of such a deadline becomes unnecessary; the seller shall be informed of such circumstances without delay, where possible in advance.

6.9. Moreover, in the event of a defect in the quality of the goods or a deficiency in title to the goods, we are entitled to reduce the purchase price or to rescind the contract in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions. In addition, we are entitled to claim for compensation and reimbursement of any expenditure incurred in accordance with the statutory provisions.

7. Reservation of title

7.1. The transfer of title to us shall be unconditional and without any regard to payment of the price. In any event, all forms of expanded or extended reservation of title shall be excluded so that any reservation of title by the seller that has been declared as being effective, where applicable, shall only exist up until payment of the goods that have been delivered to us and only exist in respect to these goods.

7.2. To the extent we provide the supplier with parts, we reserve the title thereto. Any processing or restructuring by the supplier of the parts provided shall always be performed on our behalf as manufacturer within the meaning of § 950 BGB. If the supplier processes, restructures, mixes or combines the items provided with other goods not belonging to us to create a new product or to give it a new status, then we shall be entitled to a co-ownership share therein.

7.3. If the goods supplied are combined or mixed with other goods and if other goods, which do not belong to us, are regarded as being the main component of the new product within the meaning of § 947 BGB, then it is now hereby stipulated that a co-owned share shall pass to us determined by the ratio of the value of the goods supplied to the value of the main component, and that the person ordering the product shall be responsible for the safe custody of the product, on our behalf, free of charge.

8. Period of limitation

8.1. The mutual rights of parties to make claims is limited by the statutory period of limitation unless hereinafter provided otherwise.

8.2. In divergence from § 438 (1) No. 3 BGB, the general period of limitation for claims deriving from defects is three (3) years measured from the time that risk is transferred. In cases where acceptance of the goods has been agreed, the period of limitation commences from the date of acceptance.

8.3. The statutory periods of limitation under German Kaufrecht (Law on Sales) are applicable for all contractual claims with respect to defects to the extent defined by statute. Insofar as we are entitled to make non-contractual claims for damages, then the regular statutory limitation periods (Articles 195 and 199 BGB) apply, unless for an individual case application of the statutory period of limitations under German Kaufrecht would lead to a longer period of limitation.

9. Place of performance/applicable law/jurisdiction

9.1. The place of performance for all obligations deriving from the contract, including payment obligations, is Hamburg.

9.2. The relationship between ourselves and the supplier is governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. Neither the UN-treaty (CISG) nor any other existing or future bilateral or international treaties, even if implemented into German law, shall be applicable.

9.3. The place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or in connection with the delivery contract shall be, at our choice, either Hamburg or the registered place of business of the supplier; for lawsuits filed by the supplier, the place of jurisdiction shall exclusively be Hamburg. Any statutory provisions regarding exclusive jurisdiction remain unaffected. This jurisdiction-clause is inapplicable for suppliers who are not commercial businessmen.

10. Concluding provisions

10.1. Amendments and additions to this agreement, including this written form clause, must be in writing to be effective. The same shall apply to collateral and supplementary agreements.

10.2. If a provision of this agreement should be or should become ineffective in whole or in part, the ineffectiveness of this provision shall not affect the effectiveness of all other provisions of this agreement. The ineffective provision shall be replaced with a legally valid provision that comes as close to realising the economic purpose of the ineffective provision as is legally permissible. The same shall apply to any gaps in this agreement.