General Terms and Conditions

1. Scope of application

These General Terms and Conditions apply to all deliveries and services provided by VDA QMC (Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. Qualitäts Management Center) through this webshop, exclusively to business customers acting in the exercise of a commercial or independent professional activity. By placing an order you confirm that you are acting as an entrepreneur for business purposes, not as a consumer.

2. Ordering publications and registering for seminars

By submitting an order through the webshop or registering for a seminar, you make a binding offer to purchase the selected publications or services. VDA QMC will confirm acceptance of your order by order confirmation or invoice.

3. Publications

3.1 Delivery

Physical publications (books, posters, and similar items) are shipped by courier from VDA QMC's storage facility to the delivery address you provide. Shipping costs are charged separately and shown at checkout.

3.2 Prices and invoicing

All prices are shown in euros and are payable immediately upon receipt of the invoice, without deduction, unless otherwise agreed. VDA QMC reserves the right to require advance payment for first-time customers.

3.3 Returns

Physical items may be exchanged or returned within two weeks of receipt, provided they are unused, undamaged, and in their original packaging. E-books, digital publications, and app-based content are excluded from return, being digital content supplied in a form that cannot be returned.

3.4 Retention of title

Delivered goods remain the property of VDA QMC until full payment of the purchase price has been received.

3.5 Notice of defects

Customers must inspect delivered goods promptly and notify VDA QMC of any apparent defects without delay. Goods are deemed accepted if no notice is given within a reasonable time after delivery.

3.6 Copyright

Publications purchased through this webshop are licensed for the purchasing company's internal business use only. Users receive a non-exclusive, non-transferable right of use. Reproduction, distribution, publication, or making available to third parties without prior written consent of VDA QMC is prohibited.

3.7 Hardware and software compatibility

VDA QMC's liability for the compatibility of digital publications or applications with the customer's own hardware or software environment is limited to the extent permitted by law.

4. Seminars and training courses

4.1 Participation requirements

Some seminars or examinations require specific professional qualifications or prerequisites. VDA QMC may decline an application that does not meet the published requirements.

4.2 Invoicing

Invoices for seminar participation are issued after the event has taken place and are payable immediately upon receipt.

4.3 Cancellation or rebooking by the participant

Cancellation or rebooking requests are subject to a cancellation fee that scales with the proximity of the request to the event date, from no charge for early cancellation up to the full seminar fee for cancellations shortly before or during the event. Current fee tiers are published with the seminar listing.

4.4 Cancellation by the organizer

VDA QMC may cancel a seminar up to seven days before the scheduled date if the minimum number of participants is not reached, or at any time in the event of force majeure. Any fees already paid for a cancelled seminar will be refunded in full.

5. Use of personal customer information

Personal data provided in connection with an order is processed to fulfil the contract, including order processing, delivery, and invoicing, and may be forwarded to service providers (such as shipping and payment providers) bound by appropriate data protection obligations. See our Privacy Notice for full details.

6. Warranty and liability

VDA QMC is liable without limitation for damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health, for intent and gross negligence, and under any applicable product liability law. Liability for slightly negligent breaches of material contractual obligations is limited to foreseeable, contract-typical damage. Any further liability is excluded, to the extent permitted by law.

7. Other provisions

These Terms and all contracts concluded under them are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. The place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from the business relationship is Berlin, Germany, to the extent legally permissible.

This page is a starting template adapted from VDA QMC's published terms and is intended to be reviewed and finalized by VDA QMC before publication.