General terms and conditions: essential for entrepreneurs

General terms and conditions protect entrepreneurs against risks such as payment problems and liability. Yet many entrepreneurs work without proper general terms and conditions, or use copied texts that offer no legal protection.

Why are general terms and conditions important?

General terms and conditions offer you legal protection in business transactions. They regulate matters that do not need to be included in each individual contract.

General terms and conditions protect against:

• ✓ payment problems and defaulters;
• ✓ unreasonable liability claims;
• ✓ ambiguity about delivery times;
• ✓ discussions about warranty and complaints;
• ✓ problems with retention of title.

Conditions for validity

For validity, general terms and conditions must be correctly declared applicable and provided in a timely manner to the other party. Without proper declaration of applicability, your terms are not valid.

Important requirements:

• ✓ timely provision before or upon conclusion of the contract;
• ✓ clear reference in quotes and agreements;
• ✓ opportunity for the other party to take notice;
• ✓ no unreasonably onerous clauses.

The risk of copied terms and conditions

Copied terms and conditions offer false security. They are often not tailored to your business operations and may be legally outdated or invalid.

Risks of copied general terms and conditions:

• ✓ not tailored to your specific services or products;
• ✓ missing or incorrect clauses;
• ✓ outdated legal provisions;
• ✓ unreasonably onerous clauses that are void;
• ✓ no protection where you need it most.

Customized general terms and conditions

Customized general terms and conditions are an investment that pays for itself. They offer actual protection and prevent costly disputes.

Benefits of customization:

• ✓ tailored to your business model;
• ✓ optimal protection of your interests;
• ✓ legally current and valid;
• ✓ clear language for your customers;
• ✓ less risk of disputes.