Contents:
- General Terms and Conditions (GTC) for the Use of Websites of Fresenius Umwelttechnik GmbH
- General Terms and Conditions (GTC) of Fresenius Umwelttechnik GmbH for Sales, Delivery, Work, Service, Maintenance, Repair, and Rental Services
General Terms and Conditions (GTC) for the Use of Websites of Fresenius Umwelttechnik GmbH
1. Scope of Application
These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to the use of the following websites as well as all associated subdomains of Fresenius Umwelttechnik GmbH, Doncaster-Platz 5, 45699 Herten (hereinafter referred to as the “Provider”):
- freseniusinstruments.com
- fresenius-ut.com
- fresenius-ai.com
- The websites are exclusively intended for businesses as defined by Section 14 of the German Civil Code (BGB), legal entities under public law, or public-law special funds (“B2B users”).
- Consumers within the meaning of Section 13 of the German Civil Code (BGB) are not intended to use these services.
- To the extent that the user uses the B2B areas (e.g., by submitting forms, requesting information/quotations, downloading protected content, booking appointments), the user confirms that they are acting as a B2B user and not as a consumer within the meaning of Section 13 of the German Civil Code (BGB).
- To the extent that the websites provide a careers/applicant area, job postings, or functions for submitting application documents (“Careers Area”), this serves exclusively to carry out pre-contractual measures in the context of an employment relationship (application process).
- Conflicting or supplementary terms of the user shall not become part of the contract, unless their validity has been expressly agreed to in writing.
2. Subject Matter and Scope of Services
- The websites are used to provide information about products, services, technologies, software solutions, information about and operation of the provider’s AI-supported systems, as well as for establishing business contact.
- The provider is entitled to change, expand, restrict, or discontinue content, functions, interfaces, integrations, and subdomains at any time.
- There is no entitlement to specific functions, integrations, availabilities, or interfaces.
3. Registration, accounts
- If individual areas require registration or login, information must be provided completely and truthfully.
- Access data must be treated confidentially.
- The provider may block or delete accounts at any time in case of violations or security risks.
4. Permitted Use / Prohibited Actions
Specifically prohibited are:
- Circumvention of technical protective measures
- Automated data extraction (scraping) to an abusive extent
- Introduction of malware
- Manipulation of forms or tracking mechanisms
- Use for competitive analysis with harmful intent
- Reverse engineering of software components
The provider is entitled to implement technical protective measures (e.g., rate limiting, IP filters, bot detection).
5. Rights to Content
- All content (texts, software, designs, images, trademarks, databases, AI avatars, systems, APIs, etc.) is protected.
- The user receives a simple, revocable, non-transferable right of use for the intended purpose.
- For content submitted by the user, the user grants the provider a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable right of use, insofar as this is necessary for processing inquiries, quality assurance, IT security, or legal enforcement.
- Ideas, suggestions for improvement, or feedback may be exploited commercially without restriction.
6. Availability
- Uninterrupted availability is not owed.
- Maintenance windows, security updates, and disruptions (including those caused by third parties, networks, or force majeure) may lead to outages.
- The Provider may reject, remove, or block the User’s content (e.g., uploads) if this appears necessary for legal or security-related reasons.
7. Liability
- To the extent provided by law, the provider shall have unlimited liability, through operation of the website, in cases of intent, gross negligence, and in the event of injury to life, body, or health.
- In cases of simple negligence, liability is limited to breaches of material contractual obligations, and is limited to the damage typically foreseeable.
- Otherwise, liability is excluded to the extent permitted by law, particularly for:
- loss of profit
- indirect damages
- data loss
- consequential damages
- The Product Liability Act remains unaffected.
8. Data Processing, Tracking, Marketing Automation, Third-Party Providers
The websites use modern CRM, analytics, AI, and marketing automation systems for business communication in the B2B sector.
Details can be found in the separate privacy policy.
8.1. Hubspot
The Websites use functions of HubSpot (CRM, forms, email communication, marketing automation, tracking, lead scoring, analysis).
The following may be processed:
- IP address
- Device and browser information
- Interaction data
- Form data
- Business contact details
- Cookie IDs
- Communication history
Processing is carried out for:
- Contract initiation
- Offer processing
- Lead management
- IT security
- Abuse prevention
- Performance optimization
- Business B2B communication
8.2 Google Services
The Websites may use the following services:
- Google Tag Manager
- Google Analytics
- Google Ads
- Conversion Tracking
- Consent Mode
Pseudonymous usage profiles may be created here, provided consent has been given or another legal basis applies.
8.3 Third-Country Transfer
Insofar as providers in third countries (especially the USA) are involved, data transfer takes place on the basis of:
- Adequacy decisions
- EU standard contractual clauses
- Additional technical protective measures
8.4 B2B Communication
In the event of business contact, the provider processes transmitted data for:
- Offer processing
- Project review
- Contract initiation
- Documentation
- Internal forwarding
- Performance analysis
8.5 Security and Analysis Purposes
The provider is entitled to log and evaluate accesses, insofar as this is necessary for:
- IT security
- System stability
- Fraud and abuse prevention
- Legal prosecution
- Technical optimization
9. Indemnification
The user indemnifies the provider against third-party claims resulting from unlawful use of the Websites.
10. Changes to the GTC
- The provider may amend these GTC for objective reasons (e.g., changes in law, security requirements, system changes).
- The current version will be made available on the website.
- If the user continues to use the service after the changes take effect, the amended Terms and Conditions shall be deemed accepted, provided that the user does not object within a reasonable period of time.
11. Final provisions
- German law applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
- The place of jurisdiction for all disputes shall be the Provider’s registered office.
- Should any provision be or become invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected. In place of the invalid provision, a valid provision shall be deemed agreed that comes closest to the economic purpose.
General Terms and Conditions (GTC) of Fresenius Umwelttechnik GmbH for Sales, Delivery, Work, Service, Maintenance, Repair, and Rental Services
§ 1 Scope of Application, Contracting Parties
- These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to all contracts between Fresenius Umwelttechnik GmbH, Doncaster-Platz 5, 45699 Herten (hereinafter “Provider”), and its customers for deliveries, services, work services, maintenance, calibration, repairs, service, and rental of equipment and accessories.
- These GTC apply exclusively to entrepreneurs within the meaning of Section 14 of the German Civil Code (BGB), legal entities under public law, or special funds under public law.
- Deviating, conflicting, or supplementary terms of the customer shall not become part of the contract, unless their validity is expressly agreed to in text form.
- Individual agreements (including collateral agreements) take precedence over these GTC. For evidentiary purposes, individual agreements should be made in text form (Section 126b BGB).
§ 2 Offers, Conclusion of Contract
- Offers from the provider are non-binding, unless expressly designated as binding.
- A contract is only concluded upon written or text-form order confirmation or by performance of the service.
- Amendments and supplements to the contract require text form. This also applies to the waiver of this text form requirement. Individual agreements remain unaffected by this.
- For the content of the contract, the following hierarchy applies (descending): (1) individual agreements / project contracts, (2) order confirmation, (3) offer, (4) these GTC, (5) technical specifications / service descriptions, unless expressly agreed otherwise.
§ 3 Scope of Services, Changes
- The contractual agreements and the order confirmation are decisive for the type and scope of the service.
- Maintenance, spare, and wear parts are not part of the delivery, unless otherwise agreed.
- Changes to the scope of services after conclusion of the contract may result in price and deadline changes.
- Engineering and planning services for quotation preparation are subject to a charge if no order is placed.
§ 4 Prices, Taxes, Ancillary Costs
- All prices are net plus the statutory value-added tax.
- Customs duties, levies, fees, and other public charges shall be borne by the customer.
- Packaging, transport, insurance, lump-sum expenses such as travel and incidental costs will be charged separately, unless otherwise agreed.
- The provider is entitled to make partial deliveries and partial services, provided this is reasonable for the customer.
§ 5 Delivery, Transfer of Risk
- Deliveries are made – unless otherwise agreed – EXW (Incoterms® 2020) ex works / warehouse of the provider.
- For cross-border deliveries, the customer is responsible for export and import formalities, including necessary permits and proofs, unless expressly agreed otherwise.
- The risk passes to the customer upon provision of the goods.
- Delivery dates are only binding if they have been expressly confirmed as binding.
- Force majeure or unforeseeable events for which the provider is not responsible shall extend delivery periods appropriately.
§ 6 Obligation to Inspect, Transport Damage
- The customer is obliged to inspect the delivery immediately and to report defects in accordance with Section 377 of the German Commercial Code (HGB).
- Transport damage must be documented immediately with the carrier and reported to the provider.
- In the event of material defects, the provider shall, at its discretion, provide supplementary performance by rectification or replacement delivery. The customer must grant the provider the necessary time and opportunity for inspection and supplementary performance.
- Claims for material defects become time-barred after 12 months from the transfer of risk. This does not apply in cases of fraudulent concealment, assumption of a guarantee, injury to life, body or health, or under the Product Liability Act; nor does it apply to items that have been used for a building in accordance with their usual purpose and have caused its defectiveness. Statutory recourse claims (Sections 445a, 445b BGB) remain unaffected.
- If supplementary performance fails, the customer may, in accordance with statutory provisions, reduce the price or – in the case of significant defects – withdraw from the contract. Claims for damages are governed by Section 14.
§ 7 Terms of Payment
- Invoices are due net within 14 days, unless otherwise agreed.
- In case of default in payment, the statutory default interest according to Section 288 BGB (B2B: 9 percentage points above the base interest rate) and the statutory lump-sum default fee apply.
- Offsetting or retention is only permissible with undisputed or legally established claims.
- In case of doubts about creditworthiness, advance payment or security may be demanded.
§ 8 Retention of Title
- The delivered goods remain the property of the provider until full payment of all claims.
- The extended retention of title applies to resale, processing, and installation, to the extent permitted by law.
- In the event of third-party access, the customer must inform the provider immediately.
§ 9 Maintenance, Calibration, and Service Services
- The provider performs maintenance, calibration, upkeep, and functional monitoring services for measurement and monitoring systems, including sensors, software, firmware, and digital services.
- The maintenance cycle is a maximum of 12 months.
- The provider is entitled to replace all parts necessary for operational safety; spare parts will be charged separately.
- Only original parts from the provider or equivalent parts approved by the provider in text form may be used.
- Unauthorized interventions by the customer or third parties exclude warranty and liability claims, insofar as the defect or damage is based thereon or the determination of the cause or supplementary performance is thereby significantly hindered or made impossible.
§ 10 Customer’s Obligations to Cooperate
The customer shall provide all necessary access, information, security clearances, as well as IT and remote access in a timely manner. Delays or additional costs due to missing or delayed cooperation shall be borne by the customer.
§ 11 Documentation, Acceptance
- Upon completion of the services, the provider will prepare maintenance/service documentation upon request.
- If acceptance is agreed upon or required under contract for work law, the provider shall notify the customer in text form of the readiness for acceptance and set a reasonable deadline for acceptance (at least 14 calendar days).
- If the customer does not accept within the deadline and does not refuse acceptance by naming at least one significant defect in text form, the service shall be deemed accepted upon expiry of the deadline. Insignificant defects do not entitle the customer to refuse acceptance.
- Acceptance shall also be deemed to have occurred if the customer puts the service into productive use or continues to use it, unless the use is exclusively for testing purposes and the customer has notified the provider of this in text form in advance.
§ 12 Repairs
- Cost estimates are subject to a charge if no order is placed.
- Repairs can be carried out at the factory, on-site, or by third parties commissioned by the provider.
- Repair invoices are due immediately.
- The warranty period for repaired parts is 6 months.
§ 13 Rental Conditions
- Rental agreements are concluded upon order confirmation.
- The lessee bears the risk from leaving the warehouse until return.
- Use only by qualified personnel in accordance with operating instructions.
- Loss or damage must be replaced at new value.
- Subletting or transfer abroad only with consent.
§ 14 Liability
- Unlimited liability exists for intent, gross negligence, injury to life, body or health, and under the Product Liability Act.
- In cases of slight negligent breach of essential contractual obligations, liability is limited to the typical, foreseeable damage.
- Otherwise, liability for slight negligence is excluded.
- Within the scope of liability under paragraph 2, indirect damages, consequential damages, downtime, loss of profit, and data loss are only compensable if they are typical for the contract and foreseeable. Liability for data loss only exists if the customer has performed data backup in accordance with the state of the art.
§ 15 Operator Responsibility
Maintenance and service do not relieve the customer of their operator, monitoring, and inspection responsibilities (e.g., BetrSichV, DGUV, ATEX).
§ 16 Software, Data, Data Protection
- Software may only be used according to license terms.
- Technical data may be anonymized or aggregated for analysis, development, and optimization purposes.
- Personal data is processed in accordance with the GDPR. Further information can be found in the provider’s privacy policy.
- Insofar as the provider processes personal data on behalf of the customer (commissioned processing), the parties shall conclude a commissioned processing agreement (CPA) in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR before commencing processing.
- Insofar as remote access is required for the provision of services, this shall take place after prior consultation and in compliance with appropriate technical and organizational measures; the customer shall provide the necessary authorizations.
§ 17 Force Majeure
Force majeure refers to events beyond the control of the parties that wholly or partially prevent the fulfillment of the contract (e.g., natural disasters, war, terrorism, pandemic, strike, official measures, energy or raw material shortages, supply chain disruptions).
The party affected by force majeure shall immediately inform the other party in text form about the beginning and expected duration, as well as about suitable remedial measures.
For the duration of the force majeure, the performance obligations are suspended; delivery and service periods are extended by the duration of the disruption plus a reasonable start-up period.
If the force majeure lasts longer than 90 calendar days, each party is entitled to terminate the affected part of the contract for good cause in text form; no further claims exist in this respect.
§ 18 Place of Jurisdiction, Law
- German law applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
- The place of jurisdiction is – insofar as permissible – the registered office of the provider.
§ 19 Severability Clause
Should individual provisions be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.
