Terms of Service

1. Introduction

Welcome to QuaLCA. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website qualca.io and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) consulting services we provide.

By accessing our website or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, please do not use our website or services.

2. Our Services

QuaLCA provides professional LCA consulting services, including but not limited to:

• LCA Data Quality Assurance
• EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) Verification
• Critical Review of LCA Studies
• Compliance Audits
• LCA Training and Consulting

Specific services, deliverables, timelines, and fees are defined in individual service agreements or proposals provided to each client.

3. Service Agreements

Before commencing any consulting engagement, we will provide you with a detailed proposal or service agreement outlining:

• Scope of services
• Deliverables
• Timeline and milestones
• Fees and payment terms
• Client responsibilities

The service agreement, once signed by both parties, constitutes a binding contract and takes precedence over these general Terms of Service in case of any conflict.

4. Client Responsibilities

When engaging our services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information: Supply complete and accurate data, documentation, and information necessary for our services
• Timely communication: Respond to requests for information and feedback within reasonable timeframes
• Access and cooperation: Provide necessary access to systems, personnel, and documentation as required
• Compliance: Ensure that your use of our services and deliverables complies with applicable laws and regulations
• Payment: Pay all fees as agreed in the service agreement

5. Intellectual Property

5.1 Our Intellectual Property

All content on this website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of QuaLCA or its licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

Our methodologies, frameworks, tools, and templates developed independently remain our intellectual property, even when used in client engagements.

5.2 Client Materials

You retain ownership of all data, documents, and materials you provide to us. By providing such materials, you grant us a limited license to use them solely for the purpose of delivering the agreed services.

5.3 Deliverables

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, deliverables created specifically for a client engagement (such as LCA reports, verification statements, or audit reports) become the property of the client upon full payment of all applicable fees.

6. Confidentiality

We understand that LCA projects often involve sensitive business information. We commit to:

• Treating all client information as confidential unless publicly available or disclosed with permission
• Using client information only for the purposes of providing agreed services
• Implementing appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect confidential information
• Not disclosing confidential information to third parties without prior written consent, except as required by law

Specific confidentiality terms may be detailed in individual service agreements or separate Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).

7. Limitation of Liability

7.1 General Limitation

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, QuaLCA and its officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or business opportunities.

7.2 Cap on Liability

Our total aggregate liability for any claims arising from or related to our services shall not exceed the total fees paid by you for the specific services giving rise to the claim during the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

7.3 Exceptions

Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
• Any liability that cannot be excluded by law

8. Professional Standards

Our LCA consulting services are provided in accordance with:

• ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 (Environmental Management - Life Cycle Assessment)
• ISO 14025 (Environmental Labels and Declarations)
• EN 15804 (Sustainability of Construction Works - EPDs)
• Relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs)
• Professional best practices and ethical standards

While we strive to provide accurate and reliable services, LCA inherently involves uncertainties and assumptions. Our work represents our professional opinion based on the information and data available at the time of the assessment.

9. Independence and Objectivity

As verifiers and reviewers, we maintain strict independence and objectivity. Our role is to assess compliance and data quality, not to advocate for specific outcomes. We reserve the right to:

• Decline engagements where conflicts of interest exist or may arise
• Report findings objectively, even if unfavorable to the client
• Require corrections or additional information before issuing verification statements

10. Termination

10.1 Termination by Client

You may terminate services at any time by providing written notice. You remain responsible for payment of all fees for services rendered up to the termination date.

10.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend services if:

• You breach these Terms or the service agreement
• Payment is overdue by more than 30 days
• You fail to provide necessary information or cooperation
• Continuing the engagement would compromise our professional integrity

10.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, we will provide you with all completed deliverables for which payment has been received. Provisions regarding confidentiality, intellectual property, and limitation of liability survive termination.

11. Website Use

When using our website, you agree not to:

• Use the website for any unlawful purpose
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with the proper working of the website
• Copy, reproduce, or distribute website content without permission
• Use automated systems to access the website without our consent

12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in [City], Germany, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

13. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to our website with an updated "Last updated" date.

Material changes to Terms affecting existing service agreements will be communicated directly to affected clients. Your continued use of our website or services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any applicable service agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and QuaLCA regarding the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: