Last updated Aug 24, 2023.

Contents:

1. General

2. Provision of Services

3. MQS's Obligations and Undertakings

4. Client's Obligations and Undertakings

5. Laboratory Testing MQS Decision Rule

6. Invoicing, Fees and Payment

7. Liability and Indemnification

8. Termination of Services

9. Privacy and Data Protection

10. Intellectual Property Rights

11. Miscellaneous

12. Applicable and Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Settlement of Dispute

13. Language

14. Statement of Independence, impartiality, confidentiality and integrity

15. MQS Certification

1. General

1.1 Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by MQS Limited or any of its affiliates (hereinafter called "MQS"), all services provided by MQS Limited are governed by the following general conditions of service, which prevail any purchase terms and conditions. These conditions include and hereby incorporate by reference the Privacy Policy and the Cookie Policy, as such agreement may be in effect and modified by us from time to time (hereinafter these general conditions of services, along with the mentioned incorporated documents, will collectively referred to as the “Terms of Services”). We reserve the right to change these Terms of Services at any time, such changes shall be binding once posted on the website www.generalmqs.com in this section. We therefore recommend you access this section regularly in order to check the most recent and updated version of the Terms of Services. You can check the “effective date” posted at the top to see when the Terms of Services were last updated.

1.2 Services carried out by MQS, on behalf of an entity or individual from whom the instructions to act have originated (hereinafter called the "Client") will be carried out by using techniques and processes that permit an independent, impartial and objective approach. The end result of the Service will consist in a certificate or document (hereinafter called the "Report") communicating the collection of information MQS has been requested to supply and will be delivered as an online report, fax or a written document.

1.3 No other party than the Client shall be entitled to give instructions to MQS, particularly on the scope of inspection or delivery of Report, unless so authorised by the Client.

2. Provision of Services

2.1 MQS in the capacity of an independent third party, supplies information in the form of ascertainment or recommendations for the special purpose of contributing to the prevention of the risks to which the beneficiaries of its services are exposed, and of helping them assure the quality of their products. MQS's services (hereinafter singularly and collectively referred to as the "Services") consist of work performed by MQS, including but not limited to:

audit of factories, manufacturing and processing sites;

quality inspections of products;

container loading inspections;

collection of samples in factories and manufacturing sites;

laboratory testing of product samples;

quality assurance and compliance services ;

certification of products or processes

3. MQS's Obligations and Undertakings

3.1 MQS expressly reserves the right to act at its own discretion in accepting or declining a request for Services, and cannot be compelled to accept or be held liable for declining a request for Services or products:

Falling out of its scope of activity or specialization;

Presenting geographical accessibility problems, such as Services to be rendered or products to be found in restricted or highly remote areas;

Requiring MQS to obtain special permissions to operate such as governmental permissions.

3.2 MQS undertakes to supply the Services it has accepted to carry out in a professional and timely manner, in accordance with proper professional practice and in compliance with:

The Client's special instructions when ordering the Services and as confirmed by MQS- the terms of reference should be duly signed by the Client and MQS, and in the absence of such instructions:

Any relevant professional standard, trade custom, usage or practice;

Such methods as MQS shall consider appropriate on technical, operational and/or financial grounds.

3.3 MQS shall exercise due care and skill in the selection and assignment of its personnel.

4. Client's Obligations and Undertakings

4.1 To take all reasonable steps to assure MQS has access to the site and materials on which Services will be based;

4.2 To provide MQS with all information and samples, as well as the documents necessary to complete requested Services, in a timely manner (and in any event not later than 48 hours prior to the desired intervention), except for generally available documents such as codes and standards, either directly or through suppliers or agents of the Client;

4.3 To insure that adequate instructions and notice are given to MQS in due time to facilitate proper performance for the Services requested;

4.4 To advise MQS of the date on which the Services are to commence, or to be resumed, and also of essential dates affecting the item(s) for which Services are being rendered;

4.5 Generally to render all reasonable assistance to MQS in providing necessary instructions, information, documents, safety and security information in connection with the working conditions, required equipment and access (as the case may be).

4.6 Documents reflecting engagements between the Client and third parties or third parties' documents - if received by MQS - are considered to be for information only and do not extend or restrict the scope of the Services or obligations accepted by MQS.

5. Laboratory Testing MQS Decision Rule

When a statement of conformity to a specification or a standard is required, the decision rule selected is to be communicated to, and agreed with, the customer. If a statement of conformity is requested, unless it is inherent in the requested specification or standard, the MQS Decision Rule will be applied.

6. Invoicing, Fees and Payment

6.1 Payment

Payment is expected online upon booking prior to the performance of the Services. Should payment occur after the performance of the Services (or more than 24 hours after booking for Testing), an extra 5% charge will be added to the order pricing.

Invoices will be issued upon performance of the services and sent following a scheduled agreed between MQS and the Client.

MQS offers three payment solutions, accepting both online and offline payments:

Online payments: MQS accepts payments via online service providers Paypal. Payments settled via these third party payment processing services are subject to their terms and conditions and payment processing fees.

You may find these terms and conditions on their respective websites at www.paypal.com

Offline payments: Invoices can be settled offline by transfer (T/T) for an extra +5% handling fee. Invoices are payable immediately upon receipt, each party bearing their own bank charges (including intermediary bank charges if client's bank doesn't process the transfer themselves). Late payment will incur an interest charge at 1.5% per month, or fraction thereof.

6.2 Cancellation charges: for inspections we accept cancellation until 4 pm (China Time) the day before the projected Inspection date. After this limit, Services scheduled will be charged in full, even if the Inspection cannot happen on the projected day (“Abortived Inspection”).

In the event of a “Abortived Inspection” caused by the supplier not being able to make the goods available to be inspected by MQS on the projected day, MQS advises its clients to re-charge the Inspection cost to their supplier.

In the case of an Order paid online and cancelled, MQS will credit the buyer's Credit Card account using Paypal Refund solution.

For Laboratory Testing (LT) orders, cancellation is not possible once the Testing has been launched by the Laboratory.

6.3 In the event that MQS is being prevented from performing or completing in full requested Services, for any reason beyond its control, such as but not limited to, Force Majeure, wrong information given by Client or Factory (e.g. goods not ready for Inspection despite information given by Factory,...), the Client agrees to:

6.3.1 Reimburse any expenditure, and out of pocket expenses made or incurred in relation to these Services;

6.3.2 Pay proportion of fees due for Services actually rendered and to release MQS from all responsibility for partial or non-performance of the Services.

6.4 Client provided inspection sample(s): If an inspection sample is provided by the Client and shipped to an MQS  office, and then must be re-forwarded by MQS to the Client's factory, and the shipping charge exceeds $10 USD, then the shipping fee will be automatically added to the final invoice amount.

6.5 For Laboratory Testing (LT) orders:

6.5.1 Should the quotation given online upon Order booking vary once the Product Samples are received and checked by MQS, it is agreed that: - if the Test price increase is less than 25% or US$ 100, MQS will inform the Client and launch the Test immediately for quicker processing - if the Test price increase is more than 25% and US$100, MQS will seek Client's confirmation before launching the Test

6.5.2 The minimum charge for any Lab Test order is US$88 for standard delivery and US$108 for express.

6.6 For Inspection and Audit orders: "Man-day" prices communicated by MQS are valid for the on-site execution of the service on the scheduled day(s). Additional services to be rendered, either before or after the actual service, such as but not limited to audit desktop reviews, consulting services, training, workshops, etc may not be included in the man-day price and will be quoted separately.

6.7 Taxes

All Orders shall be paid free and clear of all deductions and withholdings for taxes, duties, levies or other charges imposed by federal, state, regional or other governmental authorities in the country of registration of the Client and the country of Client’s site or under any applicable treaty for the avoidance of double taxation except as required by law. If any deduction or withholding is required by law, Client shall on the due date for the payment pay MQS such additional amounts as shall, after the making of the deduction or withholding, result in the payment to MQS of the net Order price.

6.8 Fees Revision

MQS services fees may be adjusted at any time. To that effect, MQS shall serve to the CLIENT a notice, that shall present the new prices, as well as the effective date by which the new prices will be applicable.

7. Liability and Indemnification

7.1 Limitation of Liability

7.1.1 MQS is neither an insurer nor a guarantor and disclaims such capacity. Clients seeking a guarantee against loss or damage should obtain appropriate insurance.

7.1.2 Subject to the Client's instructions as accepted by MQS (as specified in the terms of reference), MQS will issue the Report relating to the facts as recorded by it within the limits of the instructions received and on the basis of the documents and information provided by the Client (refer to #4 above), but MQS is under no obligation to report upon any facts or circumstances which are outside the specific scope of its assignment.

7.1.3 MQS advice is given only in relation to documents and information provided by the Client, and MQS cannot be held liable if it has received incomplete or erroneous information.

7.1.4 In the event of false information being given to MQS by the Client, the factory, as well as Client’s representatives or employees, MQS accepts no liability.

7.1.5 MQS undertakes to use its best efforts and to exercise due care and skill in the performance of its Services, and accepts liability only in case of gross negligence and willful misconduct proven by the Client.

7.1.6 MQS does not repack goods following an inspection; this should be performed by the supplier. Should the client request MQS repackage the goods, MQS is not liable for any possible damages or losses incurred related to the repacking process.

7.1.7 Structural Audits services: subject to a building structural audit order being placed by the Client, MQS will conduct a visual audit of the property’s appearance and will prepare a descriptive report. MQS shall take no responsibility in the case of damage or loss of assets, injury or death arising from problems with the property construction, the materials or with the equipment and how it is operated.

7.2 Indemnification

7.2.1 In the event of MQS being held liable in respect to any claim of loss, damage or expense of whatsoever nature and however arising, its liability to the Client shall in no circumstances exceed  the total aggregate sum of fees paid for the specific single service for which a claim is made. For Inspection services specifically, MQS’s liability shall in no circumstances exceed the total aggregate sum of fees paid for the specific inspection for which a claim is made if no approved reference sample was provided by the Client, and two times if an approved reference sample was provided and available for the inspector at the factory on the day of inspection, or an approved MQS office two days prior to the scheduled inspection date subject to the inspection having been performed to an AQL minimum general inspection level II per product reference. See our AQL chart for details.

7.2.2 In addition, in case of Services of pre-shipment inspections:

Where less than 100% of the production is complete, our responsibility will only extend to those items completed at the time of inspection;

The Report does not constitute evidence of shipment.

7.2.3 The Client shall guarantee and indemnify MQS and its servants, agents or subcontractors against all claims made by third parties for loss, damage or expense of nature arising, relating to the performance or non-performance of any Services, to the extent that the total sum of such claims exceed the limitation of liability mentioned in Article 6.2.1.

7.3 In the event of any claim, notice must be given to MQS headquarters within seven days following discovery of the facts, and no later than 1 (one) month from the completion of the MQS Services.

8. Termination of Services

MQS shall be entitled to automatically either terminate and/or suspend provision of Services in the event that:

8.1 The Client commits any material breach of its obligations under these terms and conditions and/or the terms of reference and (if such breach shall be capable of remedy) fails to make good such breach within ten (10) days of receipt of notice served by the Non-Defaulting Party (MQS) requiring it so to do. Material breaches include, without limitation any wilful and deliberate breach by the Client of its obligations under clause 4 hereabove;

8.2 The Client is insolvent or unable to pay its debts, in suspension of payments, or convenes a meeting of or compounds with its creditors or has a receiving order made against it or (other than for the purposes of bona fide amalgamation or reconstruction) has an order made or a resolution passed for its winding up or for the appointment of an administrator to manage its affairs, business and property or has a receiver or administrative receiver appointed over any of its assets or undertaking or if MQS takes or suffers any similar or analogous action in consequence of debt.

9. Privacy and Data Protection

9.1 In performing the Services, MQS collects, uses and protects personal data according to its Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, to be deemed as incorporated in these Terms of Services by reference.

9.2 MQS shall be at liberty to disclose the order-related documents and/or files anytime to any third-party accreditation and/or recognition bodies for audit or other related purposes unless disagreed with by the Client in writing at the time of them submitting the applications. No liabilities whatsoever shall attach to MQS's act of disclosure.

9.3 MQS will be responsible for the management of all confidential information of Client obtained or created during the performance of services:

MQS will inform the Client in advance, of the information it intends to place in the public domain. Except for information that the Client makes publicly available, or when agreed between MQS and the Client (e.g. for the purpose of responding to complaints, or situations set off in Clause 8.2 ), all other information is considered proprietary information and shall be regarded as confidential.

When MQS is required by law or authorized by contractual arrangements to release confidential information, the Client or individual concerned will, unless prohibited by law, be notified of the information provided.

Information about the Client obtained from sources other than the Client (e.g. complainant, regulators) shall be confidential between the Client and MQS. The provider (source) of this information will be confidential to MQS and will not be shared with the Client, unless agreed by the source.

Personnel, including any committee members, contractors, personnel of external bodies, or individuals acting on MQS's behalf, will keep confidential all information obtained or created during the performance of laboratory activities, except as required by law.

10. Intellectual Property Rights

10.1 MQS is and will remain the owner of all possible intellectual property rights (including but not limited to: patents, patent applications, utility models, copyrights, trademarks, and any other statutory protection of a similar kind, as well as know-how and trade secrets, whether or not such rights are registered or capable of registration) as well database producer rights relating in general to the provision of the Services, in particular with regard to the techniques and processes it uses to gather the information, the way to present the information, certificates or other documents and the raw information collected during the course of the Services. MQS will be free to host, store and publish all its intellectual property rights and all information collected and to use it for example to offer new kinds of services or to compile data.

10.2 Clause 9.1. here above is stipulated without prejudice of the confidential nature of the Report(s) provided to the Client and subject to payment of the Services price in full, the rights granted to the Client to use, reproduce and represent the Report(s) in the normal course of its business and for personal use, worldwide and for the full duration of all intellectual property rights.

11. Miscellaneous

11.1 The Report will reflect findings of the Services at the time and place of Services. This Report does not discharge sellers and suppliers from their legal and/or commercial obligations towards the Client.

11.2 These Terms of Services embodies the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof.

11.3 In the event that any provision of the matter thereof becomes invalid, the remainder shall not be affected and the parties shall attempt through negotiations in good faith to replace these with provisions corresponding as closely as possible to the original intention.

11.4 No failure, delay or forbearance by a party to require performance of, exercise or enforce any right or remedy under the Terms of Services shall be deemed or construed in any manner as a waiver of the right or remedy or of any other rights or remedies nor shall such failure, delay or forbearance operate as a bar to the exercise or enforcement of the right or remedy at any time of times thereafter, and

11.5 A waiver of any right or remedy conferred by the Terms of Services shall only be effective if it is given in writing and expressly refers to the relevant right or remedy.

12. Applicable and Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Settlement of Dispute

12.1 Unless otherwise provided, these terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Hong Kong Law.

12.2 All disputes or differences of any kind whatsoever between the parties in connection with or arising out of the services shall be submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Hong Kong.

13. Language

These terms and conditions have been drafted in English. In case of discrepancy, the English version shall be controlling for all purposes.

14. Statement of Independence, impartiality, confidentiality and integrity

In order to provide high-quality compliance service, MQS hereby make the statement of independence, impartiality, confidentiality and integrity, please refer to this link.

15. MQS Certification

Additional Terms are terms of services that are specifically applicable to all certification services rendered by MQS and are in addition of MQS General Terms and Conditions. In case of any discrepancies between MQS General Terms and Conditions and these Additional Terms, the later Additional Terms shall prevail.

Such Additional Terms define the respective responsibilities of MQS and any applicant for certification. All applicants agree and undertake to abide by these Additional Terms, and without such agreement and undertaking, MQS will not provide the certification services nor release any certification documentation.

With respect to the MQS Impartiality Policy, no certification, from the MQS certification unit, would be simpler, easier, faster, or less expensive if other MQS service(s) were used.