condiciones
generales
de contratación
(CGC)

 GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SALES
(Edition January,1st 2015)

 

1. Sphere of Application

1.1 Principally these General Conditions of Sales (hereinafter referred to as “GCS") apply to all deliveries, services and offers of LAWTON GmbH & Co. KG, Wuerttemberger Str.23, 78567 Fridingen, Germany (hereinafter referred to as “Seller"), provided that they have not been modified or excluded expressly and in writing. All deviating conditions are rejected and shall not form part of any contract, even if the Seller does not declare his rejection expressly and in writing.

 

2. Conclusion of the Contract, Prices, Packing and Packing Costs, Dispatchment, Transport lnsurance

2.1 Any offers of the Seller are without obligation. The written contract is closed, as soon as the Seller has sent a written notice of acceptance or order confirmation, where required within the deadline determined by the Buyer. If the Seller has fixed a time for acceptance in its written and firm offer, the contract shall be deemed to be concluded, when the Buyer before expiration of such period has dispatched a written acceptance, as long as such acceptance reaches the Seller at least within 3 days after the fixed expiration date. The contractual content is defined by the technical specification of the Seller.

2.2 All prices are to be understood Ex Works of the Seller (lncoterms in current valid edition), packing costs and German Value Added Tax excluded (refer to 2.3 and 3.1). Buyers from inside the European Union have to indicate their VAT-Ident.-No. at the formation of the contract. Buyers (receivers) from outside the European Union are not charged with VAT.

2.3 Unless otherwise agreed packing shall be at the discretion of the Seller and shall be charged. The Buyer is obliged to dispose of all packing materials.

2.4 Shipments are invariably made for account and risk of the Buyer, even if other incoterms might have been agreed upon and even in case of cost-free transportation. The Seller is not liable for any damage caused after the goods have left the Seller's premises. ln default of any special arrangement, the Seller insures the consignment at the expense of the buyer, though without assuming any obligation to do so.

2.5 It is the Buyer`s obligation to mount and install the delivered appliances and auxiliary equipment. lf the Seller in case of an additional expressed agreement is obliged for mounting or installation and/or to put the appliance into operation, the General Conditions of Mounting and Installation are applicable.

 

3. Delivery, Passing of Risk, Declaration

3.1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all deliveries will be effected exclusively Ex Works of the Seller in Germany (EXW lncoterms in current valid edition - refer to no.2.3). Any agreed deviating trade terms shall be interpreted according to the lncoterms of the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris.

3.2 Partial deliveries are permitted.

 

4. Delivery time, Delay, Cancellation of the Contract

4.1 Any dates of delivery are without Obligation and only binding if agreed expressly and in writing. The period of the delivery time begins to run with dispatchment of the sales confirmation, but neither prior to the production of all documents, licences, permits and further formalities which are required of the Buyer, nor before receipt of the agreed advance payments.

4.2 lf the Seller is responsible for delay of delivery, the Buyer, after 3 weeks of delay - excluding other claims - is entitled to Iiquidated damages - if he substantiates that he has incurred damages- for each further full week of delay, payable at a rate of 0,5 % - but not exceeding 5 % in total - calcu¬lated on the value of that part of delivery which, as a consequence of the delay, cannot be used as intended. No. 9.5 applies accordingly.

4.3 lf the maximum Iiquidated damages according to no. 4.2 are reached, the Buyer- after he has fixed an additional reasonable period combined with the announcement that acceptance of delivery will be refused - may notify the Seller in writing of the termination of the contract in respect of that part of the goods which are delayed, except where the Seller delivers prior to termination.

4.4 lf the Buyer is in delay with an essential contractual obligation, the Seller is entitled to extend the period of the delivery time according to the period of delay. No. 5 applies analogously.

5. Acceptance of Delivery

5.1 The Buyer bears all costs of storage, insurance, protection measures etc., arising from any delayed acceptance. Without further proof the Buyer must pay per week of delay Iiquidated damages of at least 0,5% of the order value, but not exceeding 5 %.

5.2 The Seller may demand, by notice in writing, the Buyer to accept delivery within an additional period of time if the Buyer has not accepted delivery at the fixed time of delivery. Nevertheless, this does not affect the Seller's claim to the purchase price.

5.3 After expiration of the additional period the Seller is entitled to terminate the contract in whole or partly by notice in writing and claim damages.

 

6. Custom-made products

The prices for the same are based upon the Seller's cost price. Orders for custorm-made products can only be cancelled with the Seller's explicit prior con¬sent. The Seller is not liable to verify whether samples, sketches, blueprints etc. serving as patterns in manufacturing are legally protected. This shall be at the buyer's responsibility.

 

7. Returning Goods

7.1 Goods may not be returned without prior written agreement from the Seller. lf goods are returned for reasons other than fault on the part of the Seller, the Seller will be justified in deducting up to 50 % (according to the date of the original invoice) of the value of the returned goods in handling charges {15 % handling charge for goods returned within 1month of invoice date, 25 % for goods returned within 1 to 6 months, 50 % for goods returned within 6 to 12 months).

7.2 Products over 12 months old, custom made products, disposable instruments, implants, discontinued products which no Ionger appear in LAWTON sales Iiterature and items which have been used cannot be returned. lf reparable damage has occurred to the returned goods through poor storage or packing, the costs of repairing the damage will be deducted from the amount to be credited. Proof of the date the items were originally delivered must be furnished. The transport costs for the return of the goods must be borne by the consignor. The Seller accepts no responsibility for returned goods until they are received in good condition in Fridingen.

 

8. Payment

8.1 Unless otherwise agreed, all payments must be effected by advance payment or by irrevocable and confirmed Letter of Credit (or bank guarantee, bond) at least six (6) weeks prior to the date of delivery. The “Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits" of the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, are applicable. All payments shall be effected in EURO without regard to any deviations of the currency exchange rate and without any reduction or discount, “fee pay office" of the Seller.

8.2 ln case of late payment, the Seller is entitled to charge from the date on which payment was due. The rate of interest shall be 8 % p.a. above the prime bank rate of the European Central Bank. In this case the Seller may suspend performance of the contract. lf the Buyer has not paid the agreed amount within a reasonable additional period not to exceed 1 month after the payment was due, the Seller shall be entitled to terminate the contract by notice in writing and claim compensation for any loss it has incurred.

8.3 Creditworthiness, delay in payment
lf any particular circumstances create considerable doubts regarding the Buyer's creditworthiness, all claims resulting from the whole business rela¬tionship shall become due immediately. The Seller is entitled to demand delivery against advance payment. Sentence 1 applies accordingly regarding Seller's delay in payment for any con¬tract. lf payment in instalments is agreed and the Buyer delays more than 10 % of the owed purchase price, the entire purchase price shall become due immediately.

8.4 The Seller is entitled to demand advance payment of two thirds of the purchase price regarding customer specific products (special models or orders) or variations of those, payable 3 weeks prior to start of production at the latest.

 

9. Liability for Conformity of the Goods

9.1 Duty of examination and notification
After acceptance, the Buyer must examine the goods without delay. Therefore he must observe the recognized industry standards. ln any case, the Buyer loses the right to rely on a Iack of conformity of the goods if he does not give notice to the Seller , exactly specifying the nature of the Iack of conformity, as soon as he has discovered it or ought to have discovered it. After arrangement with the Seller the Buyer is responsible for the securing of all proofs.

9.2 Handling and storage
The proof of careful treatment and regular and dry storage of the goods devolves at the Buyer.

9.3 Remedy of defects, substitutional delivery 
lf the goods do not conform to the contract, the Seller may remedy the Iack of conformity at first and at its own discretion within four weeks after the Buyer's request and, even if the defects are substantial, by repair or substitutional delivery.
Any repairs can also be effected by the Buyer at the place of business of the receiver agreed in the contract. lf such receiver's place differs from the Buyer's place of business, this must be disclosed to the Seller. Otherwise the latter shall not bear any thus increased costs. The Buyer- on reasonable demand and according to the directions of the Seller - is obliged to participate in any repair works against reimburse¬ment of his expenses.

9.4 Pro rata reduction, termination of the contract
If the Seller fails to remedy the Iack of conformity according to no. 9.3 by repair or replacement, the Buyer is entitled to a reasonable pro rata reduction of the purchase price. lf the Iack of conformity is fundamental , the Buyer may fix a final period for fulfilment and after fruitless expiration of such final period demand termination of the contract.

9.5 Exclusion of further claims for damages caused by defects
Save as stipulated in nos. 4.2, 4.3 and 9.1through 9.4, 11.and 12. the Seller shall - without regard to the legal reasons- not be liable for any Iack of conformity and damages. This applies to any damages caused by the defect, including Iosses of production, profit or other indirect Iosses (losses and damages not incurred in the delivered goods themselves). In case of responsibility for a fundamental breach of contract the Seller is liable, also in case of gross negligence, but only for typical contractual Iosses which could have been reasonably foreseen.
The Seller in any case is liable, however, for gross negligence, for particularly rendered guarantees, fraud, culpable caused damages to life, body or health or if there is liability regarding physical injuries or damages to private items under German or foreign product liability laws.

9.6 Deviations customary in trade, changes in construction
Deviations, which are customary in trade, regarding quantities, measures, quality, weights etc. are permitted. Equivalent changes in construction are reserved.

9.7 Observation of Seller's instructions
lnstructions of the Seller about the further processing or application of the goods must be observed by the Buyer , otherwise claims based on defects are not acknowleged.

9.8 Electromedical area
All supplies and services for the electromedical area are rendered according to the safety provisions of the Association of German Electrical Engineers (VDE). No. 9.6 sentence 2 applies analogously.

 

10. Tools, Plans, Sales materials, Secrecy

10.1 One year after performance of the last order any tools built for special (customer specific) parts are at the Seller's disposal. This also applies regarding tool parts which have been charged to the Buyer.

10.2 All rights regarding Seller's drawings, drafts and plans, especially patent-, copy- and invention rights shall remain property of the Seller. All sales materials such as catalogues, sample books, price lists, etc. which have been placed at the Buyer's disposal, remain property of the Seller and shall be returned to the Seller on demand.

10.3 Any documents pertaining to an offer, such as pictures, drawings, weights, measures, capacities or data on further qualities and other information about the contractual products and services, are only binding approximately. All proprietary and Copyrights regarding information of the Seller also in electronic form- remain with the latter.

10.4 The contractual parties agree to keep secret all commercial and technical details of their mutual business- as long as not in the public domain. This also applies to the items mentioned in nos. 10.2 and 10.3, which also shall not be disclosed or made available to any third party.

10.5 The contractual parties shall also ensure that their subcontractors will be under the same confidentiality obligation as set out in no. 10.4.

 

11. Liability for subsidiary Duties

The Seller is only liable for the contractual or pre-contractual subsidiary duties according to the provisions of nos. 4, 9.5 and no. 13.

 

12. Non-Performance, lmpossibility, Unability

As far as the Seller is unable to deliver in whole or partially, the Buyer may terminate the contract by notice in writing to the Seller in respect of that part which is not delivered, save where acceptance of partial performance should be an unreasonable demand. Nos.9.5 and 15 apply accordingly.

 

13. Act of God

13.1 Each party shall not be liable for non-performance, if performance is prevented by circumstances beyond the party's control or especially by one of the following circumstances: fire, natural disasters, war, seizure, requisition, prohibition of export, embargo or other authority measures, general shortage of materials, restrictions in the use of power, industrial disputes or if a breach of contract of subcontractors is caused by any such circumstances.

13.2 Each party may, by notice in writing, terminate the contract if performance is being prevented for more than 6 months according to No. 13.1.

 

14. Further Responsibility of the Seller

Save as expressly stipulated in this GCS, all further contractual or legal claims against the Seller are excluded, especially claims for termination of the contract, price reduction or damages of any kind, including such damages which have not incurred in the subject of delivery itself. No. 9.5 sentence 3 and 4 apply accordingly.

 

15. Term of Limitation

All claims of the Buyer based on a Iack of conformity with the contract shall be superannuated within 12 months from the passing of risk (no. 3). The Seller's liability is limited to any Iack of conformity, which appears within this period. This does not affect the lawful superannuation in regard of intentional or malicious conduct or legal claims according to product liability laws or because of installation of the delivered products into buildings.

 

16. Retention of Title and Ownership

16.1 All delivered goods remain property of the Seller until all his purchase price claims resulting from the whole business relationship are fully paid for, as far as such retention of ownership is valid under the applicable law. lf the validity of the retention of ownership is subject to special conditions or regulations in the country of destination, the Buyer is responsible for the observation and compliance with those conditions or regulations. He shall inform the Seller thereof. Any bills of exchange or cheques are only deemed to be fulfilment with receipt of the entire payment.

16.2 The Buyer shall assist the Seller in taking any measures necessary to protect the Seller's ownership and title to the product in the country concerned. The Buyer shall inform the Seller immediately if any dangers regard¬ing the property of the Seller should occur. This applies especially to disposals of third parties or authority measures.

16.3 The Seller - alter a reminder- is entitled to Iake back any goods delivered under retention of title alter fruitless expiration of a reasonable additional period noticed to the Buyer, if the Buyer does not fulfil his contractual obligations, especially if payment is delayed. The Seller is not obliged to fix an additional period if there are legal exceptions.

16.4 The Buyer shall insure the delivered goods at his costs against theft, fire, water damages and other risks for the time until full payment is effected.

16.5 lf the value of all securities exceeds the value of all secured claims by more than 10 % the Seller shall, upon request, give up securities at his discretion.

16.6 In connection, processing or transformation of contractual products under retention of title, even together with other objects not belonging to the Seller, these will acquire joint ownership of the new goods in the amount of the invoice value of the goods in relation to the total value of the new item at the time of processing. § 16.1 to 16.5 are also applicable to the new product.

 

17. Miscellaneous

17.1 All rights and duties of either party are not assignable, except assignments of purchase price claims to banks of the Seller .

17.2 Modifications, amendments or further subsidiary agreements to this GCS are required in written form.

17.3 Any contract concluded under this GCS shall remain valid although single conditions should be or become invalid.

17.4 The Buyer only is entitled to set-off claims or to suspend contractual performance regarding claims which have been acknowledged or awarded by the courts.

17.5 Trademarks, Trade names, marketing, industrial property of the Seller
Only with the prior written consent and only in the interest of the Seller the Buyer is allowed to make use of or to have registered any trademarks, trade names or other signs of the Seller .

17.6 lndustrial property of third parties

The Buyer is responsible that industrial property rights of third parties are not infringed due to its directions regarding forms, measures, colours, weights etc. The Buyer shall indemnify the Seller, including all costs and expenses occurring before and outside the courts and assist the Seller on its demand in any Iitigation against claims of third parties based on infringement of the aforesaid industrial property rights.

 

18. Compliance with Law

The Seller is responsible for the compliance with the relevant German regulations, which are decisive unless otherwise agreed and as far as products made in Germany are exported. The observation and implementation of the relevant foreign trade law (e.g. import or foreign exchange licences etc.) and further laws outside Germany is the Buyer's obligation.

 

19. Place of Performance, Court of Jurisdiction, Applicable Law

19.1 Place of performance shall be the works of the Seller.

19.2 All disputes arising out of or in connection with contracts under these GCS shall be finally settled at the place of the Seller's head-office, without recourse to the courts, in accordance with the Rules of Conciliation and Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, by one or more arbitrators designated in conformity with the said Rules. Place of arbitration shall be D-78532 Tuttlingen, Germany.

19.3 Instead the arbitration court provided for in No. 19.2 the competent state courts of the Seller's head office shall make final and binding decisions, regarding disputes with Buyers from one of the European Union member states or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA, particularly Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).

19.4 The Seller in any case is entitled to invoke the state courts at the place of business of the Buyer. ln so far the competence of Nos. 19.2 and 19.3 will become obsolete.

19.5 All contracts concluded under this GCS shall be subject to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) from 11.04.1980. Subsidiary substantive and procedural law shall be that in force at the Seller's place of business.

 

20. Data Processing, prior Conditions of Sales

20.1 The Seller and its affiliates are entitled to store and process any data in connection with business affairs in compliance with the German laws.

20.2 All prior General Conditions of Sales are obsolete.