Terms and Conditions

1. Validity / General provisions

1.01 Diese Bedingungen gelten für alle Verträge, Lieferungen und sonstigen Leistungen, einschließlich Beratungsleistungen, zwischen uns als vertragsschließende Gesellschaft der GLASKEIL Gruppe im gesamten Geschäftsverkehr mit Nicht-Verbrauchern im Sinne des § 310 Abs. 1 BGB, auch wenn sie bei späteren Verträgen nicht noch einmal gesondert erwähnt werden. Sie gelten auch, wenn der Kunde auf eigene Geschäftsbedingungen verweist. Den Einkaufsbedingungen des Bestellers wird hiermit widersprochen. Entgegenstehende oder abweichende Geschäftsbedingungen des Kunden werden nicht Vertragsinhalt, auch wenn wir einen Vertrag durchführen, ohne solchen Bedingungen ausdrücklich widersprochen zu haben.

2. Offer and conclusion of contract

2.01 Offers contained in our catalogues, sales documents, and—unless explicitly marked as binding—on the internet are always non-binding, i.e. they are to be understood only as an invitation to submit an offer. We are entitled to accept contractual offers from our customers within two weeks of receipt. Orders only become binding for us once they have been confirmed in writing. In the case of immediate order fulfilment, the delivery note and our invoice shall also serve as order confirmation.

2.02 If our sales employees or commercial agents make verbal ancillary agreements or assurances that go beyond the written contract, these always require written confirmation. This does not apply to verbal statements made by management or persons who are authorised to represent us without limitation.

2.03 For our commercial customers, the following also applies: Additional conditions, including technical ones, arise from supplementary delivery conditions and price lists, particularly regarding dimensions and their calculation, glass thicknesses, price determination, crate or packaging contents, packaging, freight costs, deposit fees, etc. Insofar as nothing is specified therein and no special agreements have been made, customary commercial practices shall apply.

2.04 If, after conclusion of the contract, we become aware of circumstances—especially payment default regarding previous deliveries/services—which, according to proper commercial judgement, suggest that the customer’s ability to pay is at risk, we are entitled to demand advance payment or appropriate securities at the customer’s discretion within a reasonable period. If the customer refuses, we may withdraw from the contract, and invoices for already completed partial deliveries become immediately due.

2.05 Requests by the customer for subsequent changes or cancellation of the order can only be considered based on special agreement and only as long as production or cutting has not yet begun.

3. Technical specifications regarding material properties

3.01 Information in catalogues, sales documents, sketches, drawings, price lists, internet presentations, etc. are approximate only, but determined to the best of our knowledge. Samples and specimens represent average quality; the same applies to dimensions and their calculation, weights, usage values, tolerances, etc. Glaskeil Kunststoffe GmbH + Co KG retains ownership and copyright of all submitted offers, cost estimates, as well as drawings, illustrations, calculations, brochures, catalogues, models, and similar materials provided.

3.02 The customer is assumed to have knowledge of the physical behaviour and properties of glass and/or insulating glass units, as well as the application of these products in accordance with the current state of the art.

3.03 When placing orders, the customer must take into account all technical specifications in accordance with the current state of the art, applicable legal and technical regulations, and any individually agreed contractual provisions.

3.04 The assessment of the visual quality of glass in construction is based on the following guidelines:

Guideline for assessing the visual quality of glass in building construction
Guideline for assessing the visual quality of enamelled and screen-printed glass
VFF leaflet on colour consistency of transparent glass in building construction

3.05 The customer is aware that materials used in glass production have inherent colour characteristics due to raw materials, which become more pronounced with increasing thickness. Coated glass also has its own inherent colour, which may appear differently in transmission and/or reflection. Colour variations may therefore occur, e.g. due to iron oxide content of the glass, coating processes, the coating itself, variations in glass thickness and pane structure, etc. Glass thicknesses must be specified by the customer. Glass thicknesses determined by Glaskeil Kunststoffe GmbH + Co KG are based on applicable guidelines and standards as well as customer specifications. The determined glass thickness is a recommendation and must be verified by the customer. This also applies to the selected loads such as wind, snow, etc., which form the basis of the calculation.

3.06 Standards, technical sales conditions: Our deliveries and services are carried out in accordance with applicable EN/DIN standards or based on calculation and empirical values. Consequently, the stated performance values, e.g. sound insulation (Rw-, C- and Ctr values), thermal insulation (Ug value), solar control (g value), etc., which are determined by measurement and/or calculation, refer to the boundary conditions and specifications of the respective standard used. Deviations from these boundary conditions, such as pane size, glass structure, temperatures, etc., may result in deviations from the performance values determined according to the standard.

4. Performance deadlines and delay

4.01 Unless a binding commitment has been explicitly confirmed by us, delivery deadlines shall be considered approximate only. The period begins on the date all technical and other details of the order have been clarified, any required documents have been provided, and any agreed advance payment has been received. It shall be extended by the period during which the customer is in default of its contractual obligations—including obligations arising from other contracts within an ongoing business relationship.

4.02 Partial deliveries and partial services are permitted to a reasonable extent. We may invoice progress payments to a reasonable extent.

4.03 Delivery or performance deadlines shall be extended appropriately—even in the event of default—if force majeure or unforeseen events occur after conclusion of the contract for which we are not responsible (in particular operational disruptions, strikes, lockouts, or disruptions to transport routes), provided such events demonstrably have a significant impact on the performance or delivery. This also applies if such circumstances occur at our upstream suppliers, sub-suppliers, or subcontractors. We will inform the customer of the beginning and end of such obstacles as soon as possible. The customer may request us to declare whether we will withdraw from the contract or deliver within a reasonable period. If we do not respond without undue delay, the customer may withdraw. Claims for damages are excluded in such cases.

4.04 With regard to timely deliveries and services, we are liable only for our own fault and that of our vicarious agents. We are not liable for the fault of our upstream suppliers. However, we undertake to assign any claims for replacement against the upstream supplier to the customer.

4.05 In the event of a delay, the customer is obliged, upon our request, to declare within a reasonable period whether they continue to insist on performance or whether they withdraw from the contract due to the delay and/or claim damages in lieu of performance.

5. Shipping, transfer of risk, packaging

5.01 Unless otherwise agreed, the choice of shipping route and means of transport is at our discretion. Packaging is not carried out per item but exclusively according to transport and production requirements as well as environmental considerations.

5.02 Our deliveries are made ex warehouse or ex works. Upon handover of the goods to the carrier—regardless of whether appointed by the customer, manufacturer, or us—the risk transfers to the customer. This also applies to partial and prepaid deliveries. In the case of delivery using our own vehicles, the risk passes to the customer as soon as the goods are made available at the place specified by the customer.

5.03 If dispatch is delayed at the request or due to the fault of the customer, the goods will be stored at the customer’s expense and risk. In this case, notification of readiness for dispatch shall be deemed equivalent to dispatch. Upon storage, the invoice becomes immediately due.

5.04 If transport is carried out using our own vehicles or third-party vehicles, delivery is deemed completed at the latest when the goods are made available to the recipient on a paved road in front of the delivery site and on the vehicle. If, in the opinion of the delivery driver, access is not passable, delivery shall be deemed to take place at the nearest point where proper access and departure of the vehicle is ensured.

5.05 For commercial customers, unloading is solely the responsibility of the customer, who must provide suitable unloading equipment and the necessary personnel. Waiting times will be charged.

5.06 If, deviating from the contractual agreement, the customer requests assistance with unloading (including equipment), further transport, or installation, these services will be charged additionally. Participation in such work does not imply any additional liability or transfer of risk.

5.07 If delivery is made in reusable packaging or standard glass transport racks, these remain our property and are provided to the customer on loan free of charge for a period of 2 weeks. If notification of empty return or readiness for collection does not occur within this period, the replacement value of the reusable packaging or glass transport racks will be invoiced.

6. Construction services / installations

6.01 Dimensions are taken or defined on site prior to the start of work together with the customer or their representative. Costs arising from changes after measurement or definition, or due to incorrect specifications, shall be borne by the customer. All dimensions provided by us for wall and ceiling openings to be smoothed on site, as well as rebates to be created on site, must be strictly adhered to. We are not responsible for errors resulting from documents submitted by the customer (e.g. drawings) or from inaccurate information, unless these were clearly recognisable.

6.02 Upon request to commence work, the construction site must be prepared in such a way that our installation work can be carried out without interruption. The customer must ensure unobstructed access routes, clear stairways, and storage areas, as well as shared use of water and electricity connections available on or at the construction site. The customer must provide a lockable room for storing materials, tools, etc. In accordance with VOB, exterior and interior scaffolding for working heights above 2.0 m must always be provided by the customer in proper condition and in due time in accordance with the regulations of the employers’ liability insurance association. The customer must ensure protection of the construction site against burglary.

6.03 A completion date agreed with the customer or architect is subject to the condition that all work can be started at the scheduled time and carried out without interruption. If this cannot be met due to delays in construction progress, a new deadline must be agreed, and any agreed contractual penalty shall no longer apply.

7. Prices, payment, set-off, retention, assignment

7.01 Prices are ex works or ex warehouse, plus packaging, freight, and other costs for shipping, packaging, interim storage, toll charges, energy surcharges, and statutory value-added tax. Goods will be insured at the customer’s request and expense. Energy cost surcharges imposed by our upstream suppliers in accordance with energy surcharge regulations are passed on to the customer without change. We are also entitled to invoice the customer for truck toll charges charged by our upstream suppliers, as well as toll costs incurred upon delivery by our own trucks. A specification of the above expenses, which we show separately on the invoice, will be provided at the latest with our order confirmation.

7.02 Our pricing is based on the assumption that the items underlying the offer remain unchanged, any necessary preparatory work has already been fully completed, and that we can provide our services in one continuous process without interruption.

7.03 If delivery or performance is to take place four months or later after conclusion of the contract, the contracting parties undertake to renegotiate the price in the event of changes in costs, wages, etc. In business-to-business transactions, we are entitled to reasonably increase prices if delays occur due to agreed delivery or production deadlines caused by the customer.

7.04 We are entitled to request progress payments to a reasonable extent for services delivered or goods held in stock. Permitted partial deliveries will be invoiced immediately; invoices are due upon expiry of the agreed payment terms.

7.05 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, our invoices are due immediately without deduction. Payments will always be applied to the oldest outstanding debt items plus accrued interest. Discounts are not granted if the customer is in arrears with previous deliveries. Payments must include the invoice number. Deviating from Section 286 (3) sentence 1 of the German Civil Code (BGB), the customer is in default 30 days after the invoice date and due date. Section 353 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) remains unaffected.

7.06 Payments via cheque-bill of exchange procedures require a special agreement. Credits for bills of exchange and cheques are made minus expenses, valued on the day we can dispose of the equivalent value.

7.07 Our claims become immediately due regardless of any accepted or credited bills of exchange if payment terms are not met or if circumstances become known that indicate our claims are at risk due to the customer’s lack of financial capacity.

7.08 If the customer is in default of payment, we are entitled to take back the goods, enter the customer’s premises if necessary, and remove the goods. We may also prohibit resale or removal of the delivered goods. Repossession does not constitute withdrawal from the contract.

7.09 In cases under paragraphs 7.07 and 7.08, we may revoke direct debit authorisation and demand advance payments for outstanding deliveries. However, the customer may avert these legal consequences by providing security equal to the amount of the at-risk payment claim.

7.10 Default interest shall be charged at 10% p.a. above the base interest rate (§ 247 BGB). It shall be adjusted higher or lower if we can prove higher interest charges or if the customer proves lower charges.

7.11 Set-off is only permitted with undisputed or legally established counterclaims, or with claims that are in a reciprocal relationship with our claims. A right of retention arising from previous or other transactions within the ongoing business relationship, or from claims not arising from this contract, may not be asserted. Otherwise, payment may only be withheld to a reasonable extent in case of defects or other complaints.

7.12 Any agreed securities may be replaced by a guarantee issued for the net amount.

8. SEPA direct debit procedure

The period for advance notification (“pre-notification”) is one business day prior to the due date of the claim or, in the case of an already due payment, prior to the direct debit collection.

9. Group set-off clause

In business-to-business relationships, we are entitled to set off claims of the GLASKEIL Group against all claims of the customer, regardless of the legal basis on which they are founded, even if the claims have different due dates. The statutory prohibitions on set-off, in particular Sections 390 and 393 of the German Civil Code (BGB), remain unaffected.

The GLASKEIL Group includes, in addition to Glaskeil Beteiligungs GmbH + Co KG, all subsidiaries operating under the “Glaskeil” name.

10. Retention of title

10.01 We retain title to delivered or manufactured goods until full payment of the purchase price has been received. For goods supplied to the customer within an ongoing business relationship, we retain ownership until all our claims arising from the business relationship, including future claims—even from contracts concluded simultaneously or later—have been settled. This also applies if individual or all claims have been included in a current account and the balance has been drawn and acknowledged. If, in connection with payment of the purchase price, a bill of exchange liability is created by us, the retention of title does not expire until the bill of exchange has been redeemed by the customer as drawee. In the event of payment default, we are entitled to repossess the goods after a reminder, and the customer is obliged to return them.

10.02 If the goods subject to retention of title are combined by the customer with other goods, we acquire co-ownership of the new item in proportion to the invoice value of the retained goods relative to the invoice value of the other goods and the processing value. If our ownership expires due to combination, mixing, or processing, the customer hereby already assigns to us at the time of contract conclusion the ownership rights in the new item to which they are entitled, to the extent of the invoice value of the retained goods, and shall store them for us free of charge. The resulting ownership rights shall be deemed reserved goods within the meaning of section 10.01.

10.03 The customer must immediately inform us of any third-party access to the reserved goods and assigned claims. They may only resell the reserved goods in the ordinary course of business under normal business conditions and as long as they are not in default, provided that the claims arising from resale are transferred to us in accordance with sections 10.04 to 10.05. Any other disposal of the reserved goods is not permitted. Processing or installation of the goods shall also be deemed resale.

10.04 The customer’s claims arising from resale of the reserved goods, including any rights under the Construction Contractors’ Security Act, are hereby assigned to us in advance. We accept this assignment. These claims serve as security to the same extent as the reserved goods. The same applies to claims for granting a security mortgage pursuant to § 648 BGB. If the reserved goods are sold together with other goods not supplied by us, the claim from resale is assigned in proportion to the invoice value of our goods to the other sold goods. In the case of goods in which we hold co-ownership shares pursuant to section 10.02, a corresponding portion of the claim is assigned to us.

10.05 The customer is entitled to collect claims from resale unless we revoke the collection authorisation in the cases referred to in section 7.09. Upon our request, the customer must immediately inform their customers of the assignment—unless we do so ourselves—and provide us with all necessary information and documents required for collection, including names and addresses of debtors and construction sites. The customer is not entitled to further assignment of the claim. Assignment by way of genuine factoring is only permitted if the factoring bank and the customer’s relevant accounts are disclosed and the factoring proceeds exceed the value of our secured claim. Upon crediting of the factoring proceeds, our claim becomes immediately due.

10.06 Where reference is made to the value of the reserved goods, this shall be based on our invoice amount (invoice value). We undertake, at the customer’s request, to release securities to the extent that their realisable value exceeds the secured claims by more than 30%.

11. Notice of defects, warranty, and liability

11.01 Due to the special properties of our goods—especially glass—and the risk of damage, the customer is obliged to inspect the goods immediately. All obvious and/or detected defects, shortages, and incorrect deliveries must be reported in writing within one week at the latest, and in any case before processing, installation, or further construction activities. Further obligations of merchants pursuant to § 377 HGB remain unaffected. The assertion of obvious defects after acceptance is excluded. Deviations in dimensions, contents, thicknesses, weights, and colours caused by production are permissible within industry-standard tolerances, provided no quality guarantee within the meaning of § 443 BGB exists. The same applies to industry-standard cutting tolerances. Compliance with DIN standards cannot be objected to, provided our delivery/service is free of defects and nothing else has been agreed.

11.02 If the buyer discovers defects in the goods, they may not dispose of them, i.e. process, refine, or resell them, until an agreement on the handling of the complaint has been reached or a preservation of evidence procedure has been carried out.

11.03 The customer is obliged to give us the opportunity to determine the reported defect on site or, upon request, to provide the disputed item or samples thereof; in the event of culpable refusal, warranty claims shall lapse.

11.04 We assume no liability for damage resulting from unsuitable or improper use, faulty installation not carried out by us, commissioning, modification or repair, incorrect or negligent handling, or natural wear and tear.

11.05 In the case of justified complaints, we reserve the right, taking into account the nature of the defect and the legitimate interests of the customer, to determine the type of subsequent performance (replacement delivery or rectification).

11.06 For all services, we must be granted at least two attempts at subsequent performance; a single failed attempt does not release the customer from the obligation to set a deadline.

11.07 Recourse claims pursuant to §§ 478, 479 BGB exist only if the claim by the consumer was justified and only to the statutory extent, and not for goodwill settlements. They also require compliance with the claimant’s own obligations, in particular the obligation to notify defects.

11.08 The customer must inform us immediately of any warranty case occurring with a consumer.

11.09 Claims for material defects expire after 12 months. This does not apply where the law prescribes longer periods pursuant to §§ 438 (1) No. 2 (buildings and construction materials), § 479 (recourse claims), and § 634a (1) No. 2 BGB (construction defects).

11.10 Claims for damages are governed by section 12 (General limitation of liability).

12. General limitation of liability

Schadens-und Aufwendungsersatzansprüche des Bestellers (nachfolgend Schadenersatzansprüche), gleich aus welchem Rechtsgrund, insbesondere wegen Verletzung von Pflichten aus einem Schuldverhältnis und aus unerlaubter Handlung, sind ausgeschlossen. Dies gilt nicht in Fällen der Übernahme einer Garantie oder eines Beschaffungsrisikos. Dies gilt ferner nicht, soweit wir zwingend haften, z. B. nach dem Produkthaftungsgesetz, in Fällen des groben Verschuldens, wegen der Verletzung des Lebens, des Körpers oder der Gesundheit, sowie der Verletzung wesentlicher Vertragspflichten.

Der Schadensersatzanspruch für die Verletzung wesentlicher Vertragspflichten ist jedoch auf den vertragstypischen, vorhersehbaren Schaden begrenzt, soweit uns kein grobes Verschulden vorzuwerfen ist oder wegen der Verletzung des Lebens, des Körpers oder der Gesundheit gehaftet wird. Eine Änderung der Beweislast zum Nachteil des Bestellers ist damit nicht
verbunden.

13. Import and export regulations, customs

13.01 Der Besteller ist verpflichtet, Glaskeil über etwaige Genehmigungspflichten bei (Re-) Exporten gemäß deutschen, europäischen und US-amerikanischen Ausfuhr und Zollbestimmungen sowie Ausfuhr- und Zollbestimmungen des Ursprungslands der Waren und Dienstleistungen ausführlich und schriftlich zu unterrichten.

13.02 Der Verkauf, Weiterverkauf und die Disposition der Lieferungen und Leistungen sowie jedweder damit verbundener Technologie oder Dokumentation kann dem deutschen, EU-, USExportkontrollrecht und ggf. dem Exportkontrollrecht weiterer Staaten unterliegen. Ein Weiterverkauf in Embargoländer bzw. an gesperrte Personen bzw. an Personen, welche die Lieferungen und Leistungen militärisch, für ABC-Waffen oder für Kerntechnik verwenden oder verwenden können, ist genehmigungspflichtig. Der Besteller erklärt mit der Bestellung die Konformität mit dererlei Gesetzen und Verordnungen sowie, dass die Lieferungen und Leistungen nicht direkt oder indirekt in Länder geliefert werden, die eine Einfuhr dieser Waren verbieten oder einschränken. Der Besteller erklärt, alle für die Ausfuhr bzw. Einfuhr notwendigen Genehmigungen zu erhalten. Schadensersatzansprüche jedweder Art gegen Glaskeil wegen Verzögerungen oder Nichtleistung aufgrund exportkontrollrechtlicher Beschränkungen sind außer im Falle von Vorsatz und grober Fahrlässigkeit ausgeschlossen.

14. Data protection

Wir verwenden eingebettete YouTube-Videos. Es handelt sich bei YouTube um einen Dienst der Google Inc., Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

Beim Aufruf der Webseite und zur Einbettung der Videos wird die IP-Adresse übertragen. Diese lässt sich nicht zuordnen, sofern Sie sich nicht vor dem Seitenaufruf bei YouTube oder einem anderen Google-Dienst angemeldet haben bzw. dauerhaft angemeldet sind.

Sobald Sie die Wiedergabe eines eingebetteten Videos durch Anklicken starten, speichert YouTube auf Ihrem Rechner nur Cookies, die keine persönlich identifizierbaren Daten enthalten. Diese Cookies lassen sich durch entsprechende Browsereinstellungen und -erweiterungen verhindern (Quelle: YouTube „Aktivieren des erweiterten Datenschutzmodus für eingebettete Videos“).

Weitere Informationen zur Einbindung der Youtube-Videos finden Sie auf der Informationsseite von YouTube: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780?hl=de .

15. Place of performance, jurisdiction, and applicable law

15.01 Erfüllungsort und ausschließlicher Gerichtsstand für Lieferungen und Zahlungen (einschließlich Scheck-und Wechselklagen) sowie sämtliche sich ergebenden Streitigkeiten ist, soweit der Besteller Kaufmann, juristische Person des öffentlichen Rechts oder öffentlich-rechtliches Sondervermögen ist, unser Sitz. Wir sind jedoch berechtigt, den Besteller an seinem Gerichtsstand zu verklagen. Bei Streitfällen in Verbrauchergeschäften sind wir zu Teilnahme an einem Streitbeilegungsverfahren vor einer Verbraucherschlichtungsstelle weder bereit noch verpflichtet. Es gilt der ordentliche Gerichtsweg.

15.02 Die Vertragsbeziehungen regeln sich ausschließlich nach dem in der Bundesrepublik
Deutschland geltenden Recht, unter Ausschluss des UN-Kaufrechts, auch wenn der Besteller seinen Firmensitz im Ausland hat.

16. Severability clause

16.01 Sollten einzelne Bestimmungen dieser Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen lückenhaft oder
ganz oder teilweise unwirksam sein oder werden, so wird hierdurch die Gültigkeit der übrigen
Bestimmungen nicht berührt.