Terms and Conditions of Purchase Order - ACCO Brands USA LLC
1. Definitions
“Agreement” means a paper or electronic agreement between Seller and Purchaser duly executed by authorized representatives of both parties to sell or provide and to buy or use goods or services pursuant to which a Purchase Order is issued by the Purchaser. “Seller” means the party identified as the Seller in the Agreement or the Purchase Order. “Purchaser” means ACCO Bands USA LLC. “Contract” means the Agreement, if any, Purchase Order, all paper or electronic documents incorporated by reference under the Agreement and the Purchase Order, these terms and conditions themselves and any confidentiality or secrecy agreement executed by Purchaser and Seller, and all exhibits and amendments to all such documents. “Items” mean any goods or services to be provided or performed by Seller under the Contract. “Price” means the amount to be paid by Purchaser to Seller under the Contract for the Items. The Agreement shall take precedence over the Purchase Order as detailed in Section 27 below, in the event of a conflict.
2. Acceptance
Seller’s acceptance of any Purchase Order shall be expressly limited to the terms of the Contract, and Purchaser objects to any contrary term contained in any quotation, order, acknowledgement, invoice or other document originating from Seller. Any terms and conditions in any Purchase Order, any release order, acknowledgement, invoice or other paper or electronic document, other than the Agreement, issued by either Seller or Purchaser are superseded by these Terms and Conditions. By shipping goods or performing services after receipt of a Purchase Order, Seller shall conclusively be deemed to be bound by these terms and conditions and all other provisions of the Contract.
3. Blanket Order
If the Purchase Order is designated by Purchaser as a blanket order, Purchaser shall be obligated to purchase only those quantities of Items which it specifically requests under separate subsequent release orders issued by Purchaser to Seller.
4. Price
The Price shall be that stated in the Purchase Order unless such price exceeds the Price stated in the Agreement, if any, or the lowest price at which Seller is selling Items or similar items to its other customers as of the date of delivery to Purchaser, in which case the lower price shall control. If there is no price stated in the Purchase Order or Agreement, the Price shall not be higher than that last charged or quoted to Purchaser for such Items by Seller. If prior to delivery of the Items, Purchaser is able to purchase a portion or all of the Items, or similar items of like quality, at a price which is less than the Price, Purchaser shall notify Seller. Should Seller fail to meet such lower price, Purchaser may, at its option, purchase from the other source at the lower price, in which event Purchaser and Seller shall be released of their obligations under the Contract in respect of that portion of the Items or similar items purchased from the other source.
5. Quality; Drawings and Specifications
The Items supplied by Seller shall equal or exceed the quality approved with any production samples or industry standard, whichever is higher, and shall conform to Purchaser’s specifications and quality control standards. Any specifications, drawings, notes, instructions, engineering information, or technical data furnished by either Purchaser or Seller to the other, or referred to in the Contract, shall be incorporated herein by reference. Seller shall be fully and solely responsible for obtaining product data adequate to design, manufacture, fabricate, construct and deliver the Items in compliance with all requirements of the Contract. Purchaser shall retain title to all such documents which it provides or causes to be given to Seller, and Seller shall not use any of such documents or the information contained therein for any purpose other than in performance of the Contract. Seller shall not disclose such documents or information to any party other than Purchaser or a party duly authorized by Purchaser. Upon Purchaser’s request, Seller shall promptly return to Purchaser all such documents and copies thereof.
6. Delivery; Customs Compliance
The Seller shall deliver the Items to Purchaser on the date(s) indicated in the Purchase Order. Time is of the essence. If Seller anticipates that it will not deliver the Items on the date(s) indicated, Seller shall immediately notify Purchaser by the fastest available means of the anticipated failure and the anticipated actual delivery date. If Seller fails to make delivery of any part of the Items on the date(s) indicated in the Purchase Order, the Purchaser may terminate the Contract and pursue other remedies. Unless otherwise indicated on the Purchase Order, all shipments shall be delivered F.O.B. to the destination designated by Purchaser in the Purchase Order, and title and risk of loss shall remain with Seller until the Items in a completed state are received by Purchaser, its agent or consignee regardless of whether or not Purchaser has made full payment for the Items. Seller will mail Bills of Lading and Shipping Notices directly to the F.O.B. destination on the day of shipment unless Purchaser requests otherwise. Bills of Lading shall indicate the relevant Purchase Order number. Purchaser may require adherence to its routing instructions, and any savings resulting from adherence to such instructions shall be for the benefit of Purchaser. Seller, or the carrier it uses to deliver Items, whichever is applicable, shall: (a) maintain a “satisfactory” safety rating from the U.S. Department of Transportation and shall provide Purchaser with written proof of such rating on request if the carrier is a motor carrier, and (b) shall maintain comprehensive general liability, bodily injury and property damage insurance in not less than the amount required by Section 18 below, unless a larger amount is required by any federal, state, or local regulatory agency, in which event such larger amount shall be maintained.
Seller shall issue one commercial invoice and packing list for each shipment of Items in English that includes relevant invoice details such as price, quantity, item number, purchase order number, HTS code, country of origin and address of manufacturing location. Seller’s commercial invoices must also accurately state: “Convict, Forced, or Indentured Labor, regardless of age, was not employed in any stage of the mining, production, or manufacture of the merchandise or of any component thereof.” Seller’spacking list must also accurately state the weights by line item number. Seller shall provide to Purchaser the country of origin of manufacture validation for the Items on an annual basis and shall certify to Purchaser on an annual basis that the country of manufacture for the Items is accurate and correct on all documentation and declarations. Seller agrees that any transshipments of Items will not change the original country of origin of manufacture of the Items. Seller shall be subject to Customs – Trade Partnership against Terrorism compliance (“CTPAT”) audits. Without limiting the generality of the previous sentence, Seller may be subject to a CTPAT audit in conjunction with any other audit of Seller. Seller shall be responsible for CTPAT-compliant factory and container security until such time as the container of Items is delivered to the ocean terminal, authorized yard, or consolidation point. Seller shall ensure that all full containers of Items are inspected and certified via the CTPAT-compliant seven-point container checklist and Seller shall provide a copy of the CTPAT seven-point container checklist for each shipment of Items to Purchaser. Seller shall ensure that each container of Items will be affixed with a CTPAT-compliant high security seal on all U.S.-bound containers, as set forth at: http://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-security/csi/sealing-policy. Seller shall develop and implement a comprehensive CTPAT-compliant plan to enhance security procedures throughout its operations, including without limitation having written security procedures in place that addresses the following: Physical Security, Access Controls, Procedural Security, Personnel Security, IT Security, Education and Training Awareness and Threat Awareness. As requested by Purchaser, Seller shall also assist Buyer in compliance with any other security related data or documentation requirements. Seller shall continually refer to, be familiar with, and comply with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Manufacturing Guidelines as set forth at: http://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-security.
7. Warranty
Seller warrants that the Items will: (a) be of merchantable quality; (b) be fit for a consumer’s particular purposes; (c) be of high quality and be free from defects in material and workmanship; (d) comply with the most stringent of Purchaser’s or Seller’s specifications, performance guarantees and requirements; and (e) comply with the highest of all nationally or internationally recognized codes and established industry standards. All Items shall be sold by Seller to Purchaser free and clear of any liens and encumbrances. Seller’s warranties and guarantees shall survive inspection, delivery and acceptance of the Items and/or payment by Purchaser. If the Items do not conform to any of these warranties, then, at Purchaser’s option, Seller shall repair or replace the defective Items, F.O.B. Purchaser’s designated site at Seller’s expense, or in the case of services, re-perform the services at Seller’s expense. In the event that, in the reasonable opinion of Purchaser, Seller cannot repair or replace the items, or re-perform the services, within a commercially reasonable time, then Purchaser may take all steps necessary to have the breach of warranty cured and/or may terminate the Purchase Order and/or the Contract without penalty or further responsibility. In any event, Seller shall be responsible for all expenses and damages which Purchaser incurs because of the actual or alleged breach of warranty. The foregoing warranties and obligations shall also apply to the Items supplied by Seller in such repair, replacement or re-performance. Disclaimers of express or implied warranties and limitations of liability in any Seller document will be of no effect unless specifically agreed to in writing by Purchaser, and even then shall not apply in the event of bad faith by the Seller in the performance of the Contract.
8. Changes
Purchaser shall have the right to make changes (including additions and/or omissions) from time to time in the Items, any specifications and/or drawings which are a part of the Contract, method of shipment or packing and/or the time and/or place of delivery. Purchaser shall give Seller written notice of any such change which notice may include any increase or decrease in the cost of or the time required for performance of the Contract determined by Purchaser to be appropriate. If Seller does not agree with such adjustments, or if the notice does not contain any such adjustments, Seller shall still be obligated to proceed immediately with all of the changes directed by Purchaser without waiting to reach an agreement on any such adjustments. Any claims by Seller for adjustments after its receipt of Purchaser’s change order must be asserted in writing to Purchaser not more than ten (10) days after such receipt by Seller or such claim shall be null and void.
9. Payments and Invoices
The specific terms of payment for all Items are stated in the Purchase Order or Agreement. Unless otherwise specified there or in a separate written instrument signed by Purchaser, no invoice shall be issued by the Seller prior to the shipment or performance of the Items covered thereby, and no payment shall be made prior to receipt of such Items and of a proper invoice for such Items. Seller shall indicate the appropriate Purchaser purchase order number on the invoice and shall deliver it to the address specified by Purchaser from time to time. All claims for money due from Purchaser shall be subject to set-off by Purchaser by reason of any counterclaim arising out of this Contract or any other transaction with Seller.
10. Inspection
Purchaser and its agents and representatives may inspect any Items ordered hereunder during their manufacture, construction or preparation at reasonable times and shall have the right to inspect such Items at the time of their delivery and/or completion, and all goods shall be manufactured in accordance with Section 12 below. Items furnished hereunder may at any time be rejected for defects revealed by inspection or analysis even though such Items may have previously been inspected and accepted. Such rejected Items may, at Purchaser’s option, be returned to Seller for full refund to Purchaser, including shipping and transportation charges.
11. Intellectual Property
The Seller shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Purchaser, its customers, contractors and agents from any and all actual or alleged claims for infringement of any patent, copyright or trademark by reason of the design, manufacture, purchase, use or sale of the Items and shall indemnify the Purchaser for all costs, expenses, judgments, liability and damages, including attorneys’ fees, which the Purchaser may incur or have rendered against it by reason of any alleged or actual infringement. Purchaser reserves the right to be represented in any infringement proceeding. In the event an injunction is obtained against use of the Items, Seller shall do any of the following requested by Purchaser: (a) procure for Purchaser the right to continue using the Items; (b) replace the Items with equivalent or better non-infringing Items, or (c) modify the Items, so that they become non-infringing, provided they perform in an equivalent or better manner.
12. Compliance with Laws and Regulations; Restricted Substances; Conflict Minerals; AntiCorruption; Prohibited Countries and Persons; Source of Paper
Seller warrants that neither any of the Items provided to Purchaser nor their manufacture, fabrication, construction, transportation or use shall violate or cause Purchaser to be in violation of any federal, state or local law, code, ordinance, regulation, standard, rule, requirement or order. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of any laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, standards, rules, requirements or orders described in this Section 12, the more or most stringent provisions shall apply. Seller shall promptly take, at its expense, all action necessary to make all Items comply with the applicable Federal, State or local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, rules, standards, requirements or orders after Seller receives either from the applicable agency or from Purchaser a notice that some violation exists with respect to the Items. If Seller fails to promptly take such action, Purchaser may take all such action at Seller’s expense. Seller shall also be liable for the payment of any penalties and/or fines imposed as a result of the failure of any Item provided by or for Seller hereunder to comply with all of the above requirements.
Seller shall comply with Purchaser’s Restricted Substances requirements as they may be amended from time to time by Purchaser. Purchaser’s Restricted Substances requirements are located at https://www.accobrands.com/values/product-safety-compliance/. Seller agrees to inform Purchaser in writing if any Item or packaging contains PVC in any form and in any quantity.
To ensure compliance with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Seller shall conduct a country of origin inquiry with its supply chain to identify the sourcing of all tantalum, tungsten, tin and gold used to manufacture the Items (the “Conflict Minerals”). Seller shall certify in writing the usage, origin and sourcing of all Conflict Minerals using the ACCO Brands online portal at: https://www.accobrands.com/values/corporate-social-responsibility/. In addition Seller shall provide Purchaser with copies of such records as Purchaser determines necessary or desirable to verify the source and chain of custody of the Conflict Minerals. Seller shall permit Purchaser or its representatives to inspect Seller’s books and records from time to time to audit compliance with this Section 12. Seller shall not use any Conflict Minerals originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or in the adjoining countries of Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, unless the source of the minerals are certified as Conflict Free. In the event Seller is found to be using Conflict Minerals originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or in the adjoining countries of Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia that are not certified as Conflict Free, Purchaser shall be entitled to cancel any outstanding Purchase Orders and shall be entitled to terminate any Agreement without penalty or further responsibility.
Seller represents and warrants that the employees, temporary workers, agents, consultants, partners, officers, directors, members and representatives of Seller and of its Subcontractors performing under this Contract (each and any of the foregoing individuals, for the purpose of this clause, a “Seller Representative”) shall comply with the ACCO Brands Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy located at https://accobrands.gcs-web.com/static-files/92fafea7-2835-421c-8246-029f92f6e426, and with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act and all applicable anticorruption laws and regulations, including those implementing or in furtherance of the U.N. Convention Against Corruption (collectively, the “Anti-Corruption Laws”). Seller represents and warrants that the Seller Representatives shall not directly or indirectly pay, offer, give, promise to pay or authorize the payment of, any portion of the compensation received in connection with this Contract or any other monies or other things of value in connection with its performance to any Government Official (as defined below), or to any other person or entity, to obtain or retain business or secure any improper advantage nor shall it permit such actions by a third party in connection with this Contract. “Government Official” means (i) an officer or employee of any government or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or government-controlled commercial entities; (ii) an officer or employee of a public international organization; (iii) any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any government or department, agency, or instrumentality or public international organization; (iv) any political party or official thereof; (v) any candidate for political office; or (vi) any other person, individual or entity at the suggestion, request or direction or for the benefit of any of the above-described persons or entities. Seller shall permit Purchaser or its duly authorized independent representatives and agents to inspect Seller’s books and records and to conduct interviews on Seller’s premises from time to time to audit compliance with this Section 12. If Purchaser in good faith reasonably believes that Seller has violated the Anti-Corruption Laws or ACCO Brands Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy, Purchaser shall be entitled to cancel any outstanding Purchase Order and shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement without penalty or further responsibility.
Seller shall not acquire for use in the performance of this Contract any merchandise, equipment, supplies, or services originating from, processed in, or transported from or through, the countries and/or persons prohibited from commerce by the United States Government. A current list of prohibited countries/persons is available from Purchaser’s purchasing representative. This restriction includes merchandise, equipment, supplies or services from any other country/person that is restricted by law, regulation or executive order at any time during performance of this Contract. If Purchaser authorizes Seller to subcontract, Seller shall include this provision in such subcontract(s).
Seller agrees to use its best efforts to avoid the use of the following types of paper in the production of Items: (a) paper that is manufactured using wood or fiber from rainforests, (b) paper that is manufactured using “old growth” wood or fiber, and (c) paper that is manufactured from forests of exceptional conservation value. Upon request, Seller shall certify in writing the usage, origin and sourcing of all paper and timber products and shall provide Purchaser with copies of such records as Purchaser determines necessary or desirable to verify the species and source of wood or fiber. Seller shall use its best efforts to ensure that paper is manufactured from legally harvested and properly obtained wood or fiber. Seller shall comply with applicable requirements of the U.S. Lacey Act and the EU Timber Regulation and shall permit Purchaser’s representatives to inspect Seller’s books and records from time to time to audit compliance with this Section 12.
13. Supplier of Code of Conduct
As a condition to doing business, Purchaser requires its manufacturers and suppliers of goods and its service providers to comply with the ACCO Brands Corporation Workplace Code of Conduct and Supplier Security Code of Conduct (together, the “Codes of Conduct”), which are located at www.accobrands.com/values/corporate-social-responsibility/. Seller shall conduct its business in compliance with the Codes of Conduct, as they may be amended from time to time by Purchaser. Supplier shall post the Codes of Conduct in English and in the language(s) of the workers in the area where workers can regularly view the Codes of Conduct. In addition, Purchaser may present to Seller for review the codes of conduct or other compliance policies and procedures of one or more of its direct or indirect customers and licensors. Seller shall then determine whether or not it can comply with such direct or indirect customer or licensor requirements, and shall promptly advise Purchaser accordingly in writing. If Seller agrees to comply with the codes of conduct or other compliance policies and procedures of any of Purchaser’s direct or indirect customers or licensors, such codes, policies and procedures shall become obligations of Seller under this Contract and shall be incorporated herein by reference. Seller also agrees to require its subcontractor and suppliers who manufacture Items or components of the Items or provide services for Purchaser to abide by the Codes of Conduct and any additional direct or indirect customer and licensor codes, policies and procedures to which Seller has agreed to comply. Purchaser’s representatives and agents may inspect Seller’s and its subcontractors' and suppliers’ facilities and interview their employees from time to time to audit compliance with the Codes of Conduct. The representatives and agents of Purchaser’s direct or indirect customers and licensors may inspect Seller’s and its subcontractors' and suppliers’ facilities and interview their employees from time to time to audit compliance with those additional codes of conduct and compliance policies and procedures to which Seller has agreed to comply. Seller and its subcontractors and suppliers shall grant all such representatives and agents access to their facilities, records and employees to conduct the audits, and Seller and its subcontractors and suppliers shall cooperate with all reasonable requests of the representatives and agents in the performance of the audits. The foregoing rights and obligations apply to all factories that manufacture Items or components of the Items or provide services for Purchaser. Seller acknowledges that its failure or the failure of its subcontractors or supplier to comply with the Codes of Conduct, as well as any codes of conduct or other compliance policies and procedures of Purchaser's direct or indirect customers and licensors to which Seller has agreed to comply, will constitute a material breach, without a cure requirement, of the Contract.
14. Equal Employment Opportunity and Other Nondiscrimination Clauses
To the extent not exempt, Purchaser and Seller shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. Seller shall not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because such employee or applicant has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. To the extent not exempt, Purchaser and Seller shall also abide by the requirements of 29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A.
The full text of any of the above is available to Seller upon written request to Purchaser. Seller shall execute and deliver to Purchaser a completed Certificate of Compliance using Purchaser’s form of Certificate, certifying Seller’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 14, upon Purchaser's request.
15. Liens
If at any time there shall be evidence of the existence of any such lien or claim for work done or materials, services or equipment furnished by Seller or any other party in connection with the Contract, the Purchaser may use money then due or to become due under the Contract to discharge such lien or satisfy such claim and may credit such amounts against the amounts due or to become due to the Seller.
16. Tooling Ownership and Maintainence
Purchaser shall own all right, title and interest in any tooling supplied or paid for by Purchaser that is used to manufacture Items and components of the Items free and clear of all security interests, liens or encumbrances. Seller shall at its cost take all such maintenance and repair actions as are required to ensure that all tooling, equipment and mold(s) for the Items and components of the Items are and remain capable of producing the components and finished Items which meet the Specifications or by way of samples that are approved by Purchaser as long as the tool has not exceeded its contractual life cycle. In the event any tooling, equipment or mold(s) necessary for the supply of the Items is damaged, lost or destroyed during the term of this Contract, Seller shall promptly repair or replace such tooling, equipment or mold(s) at its cost. All substitutions, replacements and renewals made in or to any tooling, equipment or mold(s) shall be the property of the party that owned such tooling, equipment or mold(s) immediately prior to such substitution, replacement or renewal, free and clear of all security interests, liens or encumbrances. Except for ordinary or customary maintenance, Seller shall not modify any of Purchaser’s tooling without the prior written consent and approval of Purchaser. Seller shall allow Purchaser or its duly authorized agent or representative, upon reasonable request and notice, access to inspect the Purchaser’s tooling.
The Seller shall mark all of Purchaser’s tooling with an identifying plate in English which indicates:
- That the tooling is property of Purchaser
- The Purchaser’s tooling number and Purchaser’s item name and item number
Seller acknowledges that operator training will be required prior to safe operation of Purchaser’s tooling, equipment and mold(s), and Seller agrees to provide all required training and supervision to its employees in respect thereto. Seller further agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to laws concerning employee health and safety, regarding its general operations and specifically its utilization of Purchaser’s tooling, equipment and mold(s).
All tooling, equipment and mold(s) which are the property of the Purchaser shall, and may only, be moved at Purchaser’s written request without any encumbrances. All such tooling, equipment and mold(s) shall be promptly (in no event to exceed seven (7) calendar days) crated (so as to prevent damage in shipment) and shipped in good order, by and at the cost and risk of Purchaser, delivery point as directed by Purchaser in writing notwithstanding any financial or other dispute between the parties. In the event Seller refuses or fails to so return such tooling, equipment and mold(s), Seller hereby consents to Purchaser or its representative entering Seller’s premises, with or without notice, for the purpose of repossession such tooling, equipment and mold(s) and Seller hereby covenants not to contest any such repossession action.
17. Indemnity
Seller shall defend and indemnify and hold Purchaser and its agents, customers, consignees, employees and representatives harmless from and against all expenses, costs, charges, damages, claims, suits, losses, fines, penalties or liabilities (including attorneys’ fees) of every kind whatsoever by reason of, arising out of, or in any way connected with its performance under the Contract. This indemnification shall be in addition to the warranty obligations of the Seller. Seller, in any indemnification claim hereunder, hereby expressly and without reservation waives any defense or immunity it may have under any applicable Workers’ Compensation laws or any other statute or judicial decision, disallowing or limiting such indemnification where an employee of Seller makes a claim against any indemnity herein, and Seller consents to a cause of action for indemnity.
18. Insurance
Seller shall take out and maintain with a carrier or carriers acceptable to Purchaser the following minimum insurance and its expense for the duration of the Contract (including all warranty periods thereunder) covering all of Seller’s obligations under the Contract and naming Purchaser as an additional-named insured: (a) Workers’ Compensation – Statutory; (b) Employer’s Liability – Bodily Injury by Accident - $3,000,000 each accident; Bodily Injury by Disease - $1,000,000 each employee; Bodily Injury by Disease - $1,000,000 policy limit; (c) Commercial General Liability (Bodily Injury, including premises, contractual, products liability or completed operations coverage) $3,000,000 in the aggregate; $1,000,000 each occurrence in the aggregate with a single excess umbrella coverage of not less than $5,000,000 for combined bodily injury and property damage; (d) Commercial General Liability (Property Damage, including premises, contractual, products liability or completed operations coverage with the explosion, collapse and underground damage exclusions deleted) $1,000,000 each occurrence; $3,000,000 in the aggregate; (e) Business Automobile Liability – Bodily and Property Damage, $3,000,000 combined single injury limit and each occurrence; (f) if Seller is providing a professional service, Errors and Omissions Liability – not less than $3,000,000 per year covering Seller’s obligations under the Contract with a per claim deductible satisfactory to Purchaser, (g) if Seller will access Purchaser’s systems or have sensitive information from Purchaser, Network Security & Privacy Liability insurance in an amount of at least $5,000,000 covering first and/or third party liability for financial loss, legal damages with a duty to defend by an attorney and indemnification settlement, (h) if Seller will supply or make changes to software or hardware or engage in systems development, Technology Professional Liability Errors and Omissions Insurance covering the liability for financial loss legal damages with a duty to defend by an attorney and indemnification settlement with a limit of at least $5,000,000 and (g) Cargo Liability Insurance, if applicable, including a BMC 32 Endorsement in accordance with 49 CFR 387.301 covering loss or damage to goods being transported with a limit of not less than $500,000 per vehicle and not less than $10,000,000 per terminal, and naming ACCO Brands USA LLC as Loss Payee. Any exclusions in such cargo liability insurance shall be reasonable having regard to the goods being transported, expressly set out in the certificate, and subject to Purchaser’s prior approval The completed operation coverage of the products liability coverage described above under the commercial general liability insurance shall be kept in effect for the longer of two years from the date of Purchaser’s initial commercial use of the Items or the period stated in the first sentence of this Section 18. None of the above insurance coverage shall be cancellable except upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Purchaser and to all other insured parties, and Seller shall provide Purchaser with a copy of any such cancellation notice immediately after Seller’s receipt of it. Seller shall include Purchaser as an additional insured on all liability insurance. In addition to the provisions of the Section 17 above, in the event of a lawsuit or claim by an employee of Seller or of any of its subcontractors against Purchaser, or any of Purchaser’s agents, officers, directors, or employees for any injury (including, but not limited to death) or disease arising out of, related to, or claimed to have arisen out of or to have been related to the employee’s employment in the performance of the Contract, Seller, on behalf of itself and its Workers’ Compensation carrier, hereby transfers and assigns to Purchaser and shall cause each of its subcontractors to transfer and assign to Purchaser any and all liens or subrogation rights that it, they or its or their insurers may have for Workers’ Compensation benefits paid to the employee. Seller also waives, for itself and its insurers, all rights of recovery against Purchaser and its employees which Seller or its insurers may have for any loss related to the Items that is insured against herein. On Purchaser’s request, Seller shall provide certificates of insurance evidencing such insurance coverage.
19. Termination, Suspension or Delay
Purchaser shall have the right at any time to terminate, suspend, or delay the Contract in whole or in part by prior written notice to Seller. In the case of termination of the Contract, Seller shall then transfer to Purchaser, in accordance with Purchaser’s directions, all materials and all information accumulated, specifically prepared or acquired by Seller for use in the performance of this Contract. The Seller shall, if directed by the Purchaser and to the extent stated in the notice of termination, suspension or delay, make all efforts necessary to preserve the work in progress and to protect the Items whether still at Seller’s manufacturing facilities or in transit to Purchaser’s facilities. If Seller is not then in default in the performance of any of its obligations hereunder, and if Seller has taken reasonable steps to mitigate its damages resulting from such termination, Purchaser shall pay to Seller, as Seller’s sole and exclusive remedy for termination under this Section 19, to the extent not already paid to Seller, an amount equal to: (a) the reasonable and documented costs incurred by Seller in accordance with the Contract prior to Seller’s receipt of notice of termination, plus, (b) the reasonable and documented costs and charges incurred by Seller in winding up its activities under the Contract prior to the effective termination date, provided, however, that the amounts listed in (a) and (b) of this Section 19 plus prior payments to Seller shall in no event exceed the Price. Before Purchaser resumes performance under the Contract following such suspension or delay, Seller and Purchaser shall negotiate in good faith on the adjustments, if any, which may be required in payments to Seller or in the Price to avoid inequities either to Seller or Purchaser.
20. Default
If the Seller: (a) becomes insolvent; (b) has a petition under any chapter of the bankruptcy laws filed by or against it; (c) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (d) has a receiver requested for or appointed to it; (e) fails to comply with any of its obligations under the Contract, then Purchaser may, in addition to its rights under the Section 7 above, at its option either cure the default at Seller’s expense or terminate the Contract after first giving Seller ten (10) days written notice to cure such default, if Seller has failed to cure such default within such ten (10) day period. Immediately after such termination, Purchaser may: (i) take possession of the Items wherever they may be located and in whatever state of completion they may be together with all drawings and other information necessary to enable Purchaser to have the Items completed, installed, operated, maintained and/or repaired; (ii) pay to Seller any amount then due under the Contract after taking full credit for any offsets to which Purchaser may be entitled; (iii) contract with or employ any other party to finish the Items; and (iv) collect from the Seller any additional expense, losses or damage which Purchaser may suffer.
21. Purchaser's Right and Remedies
Any rights or remedies granted to Purchaser in any part of the Contract shall not be exclusive of, but shall be in addition to, any other rights or remedies granted in any other part of the Contract and to any other rights or remedies that Purchaser may have at law or in equity.
22. Packing and Marking
All goods shall be packed, crated and braced to prevent damage or deterioration and in accordance with all applicable laws with no charges being paid by Purchaser for packing, crating or bracing. The contents of each shipping container shall be clearly identified on the outside of the container, and the applicable Purchase Order number for the contents shall be clearly stated on the outside of each such container.
23. Independent Contractor
Seller is acting as an independent contractor, and the manner and means of conducting the work or services and all individuals who will be performing the work or services in connection with the Contract will be under Seller’s sole control, subject to compliance with the terms of the Contract and to the continuing right of inspection by Purchaser’s representatives. Seller shall be solely responsible to Purchaser for the acts and omissions of all such individuals. Under no circumstances shall any of such individuals be or be deemed to be employees of Purchaser. Seller shall pay, as required by applicable laws, all wages, overtime pay, taxes and benefits for its employees, and shall hold Purchaser harmless from any assessments in connection therewith.
24. Confidential Treatment; Ownership of Item Designs
Purchaser has disclosed or may disclose proprietary information to Seller relating to Purchaser’s customers, suppliers, licensors, methods of operation, financial status, cost of materials, price of products and services, market plans, product designs and concepts, product information, operational policies, and other business and/or technical information. Seller shall hold all such information confidential and shall not use it for any purpose other than as required to perform its obligations under the Contract, except as expressly authorized by Purchaser in writing. Seller cannot copy, duplicate or otherwise use Purchaser’s product designs and concepts or other confidential and proprietary information for any customer other than Purchaser. The requirements of this Section 24 shall apply to all information received, whether orally or in writing, by Seller from Purchaser or from an agent of Purchaser, other than: (a) information that is known to Seller prior to its receipt from Purchaser, (b) information that is generally known in the public through no fault of Seller, as of the date and to the extent that such information becomes generally known, and (c) information received by Seller from any third party not bound to Purchaser to maintain such information confidential, as of the date and to the extent that such information is received from the third party. The requirements of this Section 24 shall survive for five years following the termination of the Contract.
25. Assignment
Purchaser shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to assign the Contract or any of its rights hereunder to any of its affiliates or to a successor-in-interest to all or substantially all of its membership interests, business or assets. Seller may not assign any of its obligations under the Contract without the prior written consent of Purchaser which may be conditioned or denied in Purchasers’ sole discretion, and any attempted assignment or transfer by Seller of its obligations under the Contract shall be void and of no effect unless the prior written consent of Purchaser has been obtained.
26. Waiver
The failure of either party hereto to require strict compliance with or complete performance of any obligation of the other party hereto by such other party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party.
27. Entire Agreement
The Contract sets forth the entire agreement between Seller and Purchaser on the subjects covered herein, and, except as otherwise provided in Section 8 above, and except for changes that Purchaser may from time to time make to the Restricted Substances requirements, Conflict Minerals requirements, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, and the Codes of Conduct, no terms, conditions, understanding or agreement purporting to modify or vary the terms of the Contract shall be binding unless made in writing and signed by Seller and Purchaser. In the event of any conflict between any provision of these Terms and Conditions and any other provisions of the Contract, these Terms and Conditions shall prevail or control unless: (a) the conflicting provision in such other document expressly states that is supersedes these Terms and Conditions or (b) the conflicting provision is in a paper or electronic Purchase Order issued by Purchaser or an Agreement, in which event such conflicting provision shall prevail or control over these Terms and Conditions and over a conflicting provision in any other part of the Contract.
28. Severability
In the event that any words, phrase, clause, sentence or other provision of the Contract shall violate any applicable statute, ordinance or rule of law in any jurisdiction in which it is used, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such violation without invalidating any other provision of the Contract.
29. Governing Law
The Contract and all the performance thereunder shall be exclusively governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, U.S.A., with the exclusive venue of the courts located in Cook County. The parties exclude the application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.