Terms and Conditions
General Terms and Conditions of Gebr. Rettberg GmbH – Göttingen
For supplies and services and the full-range online shop at https://shop.rettberg.biz
Version: Novembre 2026
Scope and contracting party
These General Terms and Conditions apply to offers and contracts of Gebr. Rettberg GmbH, Rudolf-Wissell-Str. 17, 37079 Göttingen, represented by Managing Director Jan Rettberg, concerning supplies and services. They apply in particular to orders placed by email, telephone or other means and orders placed through the full-range online shop at https://shop.rettberg.biz.
Our offering is exclusively addressed to entrepreneurs within the meaning of Section 14 of the German Civil Code (BGB), legal entities under public law and special funds under public law. We do not enter into contracts with consumers within the meaning of Section 13 BGB.
By placing an order, the customer declares that they are acting in the course of their commercial, independent professional or public-law activities. We may request appropriate evidence and reject an order before a contract is concluded if the required status is not demonstrated.
Orders placed through the LabStore at https://www.rettberg-labstore.com are subject to the separate General Terms and Conditions provided there. The LabStore offers a curated product selection; the full-range online shop offers the comprehensive range.
Any differing, conflicting or supplementary general terms and conditions of the customer shall become part of the contract only if we have expressly agreed to their application. This also applies where we deliver goods or perform services without reservation despite being aware of such terms.
Individual agreements take precedence over these General Terms and Conditions. Within these terms, the specific provisions for the full-range online shop take precedence over the general provisions where they regulate the same matter differently.
General contract formation outside the full-range online shop
Our offers are non-binding unless expressly designated as binding or containing an express acceptance deadline.
In the case of a binding offer, the contract is concluded when the customer accepts it within the specified period in accordance with the offer.
Customer orders not based on a binding offer from us constitute an offer to enter into a contract. The contract is concluded upon our express acceptance, in particular by an order acceptance confirmation, or by delivery of the ordered goods.
Individual amendments and additions should be recorded in text form for documentation purposes. The precedence of individual agreements remains unaffected.
Contract formation in the full-range online shop
The presentation of goods in the full-range online shop is not a binding contractual offer but an invitation to place an order or submit an enquiry.
The customer may place goods in the shopping cart and submit it as a quotation request, enquiry or order. The customer may review and correct their details before submission.
Submit cart as quotation request
By selecting this option, the customer submits a non-binding request for a quotation. An automatically sent acknowledgement confirms receipt only and does not conclude a contract.
After checking availability and terms, we provide an individual, binding offer by email or through the customer account. The contract is concluded when the customer accepts the offer within the acceptance period stated therein.
Acceptance may be given by email or through an acceptance function provided for this purpose in the customer account. The applicable version of these General Terms and Conditions is the version underlying the offer and made available to the customer before acceptance.
Submit cart as enquiry
By selecting this option, the customer submits a non-binding enquiry. This creates neither a purchase contract nor an obligation to deliver goods or perform services. There is no entitlement to receive an offer.
Submit cart as order
By finally submitting the order using the designated button, the customer makes a binding offer to purchase.
The automatically sent acknowledgement confirms receipt of the order only and does not constitute acceptance.
We may accept the purchase offer within two weeks by an express order acceptance confirmation or by dispatching the goods. If no acceptance takes place within that period, the customer is no longer bound by the purchase offer.
By way of exception, where advance payment or PayPal is selected, the purchase contract is concluded when the order is completed.
Contractual language and contract text
The contractual language is German.
These General Terms and Conditions may be accessed and saved on our website and through the link provided in the full-range online shop.
Product characteristics, technical documents and custom-made products
The contractual agreements and the product descriptions incorporated at the time the contract is concluded determine the characteristics owed. A guarantee is assumed only if expressly declared.
Illustrations, drawings, dimensions and other technical information are subject to expressly stated or agreed tolerances. Normal manufacturing tolerances remain permissible where no more precise characteristics have been agreed and the contractually intended use is not impaired.
Changes to design, materials or specific features are permissible only insofar as they are reasonable for the customer and do not impair any agreed characteristics, functionality or suitability for the contractually intended purpose.
For custom-made products, the agreed drawings, specifications, tolerances and approvals are authoritative. The customer must check the specifications they provide for completeness and accuracy. Our own contractual duties of review, notification and performance remain unaffected.
Changes after technical approval require agreement. Any resulting additional costs and changes to delivery dates must be agreed before implementation.
Overdeliveries or short deliveries are permissible only if expressly agreed. There is no general entitlement to deviate from the agreed quantities.
Prices, packaging and shipping costs
All prices are in euros, exclusive of any legally payable VAT and separately stated shipping, packaging and other agreed incidental costs.
For orders in the full-range online shop, the prices and costs charged for the order are displayed before the binding order is submitted. For individual offers, they are set out in the offer.
Prices refer to the stated sales and packaging units. Different quantities or small-quantity surcharges require corresponding information before the contract is concluded or a separate agreement.
We select packaging suitable for the goods. Statutory take-back and disposal obligations remain unaffected.
Tax concessions or exemptions require the statutory conditions to be met and the necessary information and evidence to be provided in good time.
Incoterms apply only if expressly agreed, specifying the relevant version and named place.
Payment and late payment
Payment is generally due before delivery unless different payment terms are agreed or offered during checkout.
The payment methods displayed during the relevant checkout process are available in the full-range online shop. There is no entitlement to a particular payment method.
For advance payment, the invoice amount must be paid within ten days of receipt of the order acceptance confirmation or payment request, unless a different period is stated therein. Delivery takes place after receipt of payment in full.
For payment on account, the agreed payment period or the payment period stated on the invoice applies. A cash discount may be deducted only if expressly agreed.
Payments through a payment service provider are processed in accordance with the procedure described during checkout and the terms applicable to that payment service. The time and method of charging are communicated during the relevant payment process.
The commencement and consequences of late payment are governed by statutory provisions. In the event of late payment, we may claim statutory default interest, the statutory lump-sum default payment and any proven additional loss.
If, after the contract is concluded, it becomes apparent that our payment claim is jeopardised by the customer's inability to pay, we may, subject to the statutory requirements, withhold performance, request advance payment or security and, where applicable, withdraw from the contract.
Set-off and rights of retention
The customer may set off only claims that are undisputed, acknowledged or established by a final court judgment. Counterclaims closely connected with our claim in a reciprocal contractual relationship remain unaffected.
The customer may exercise a right of retention insofar as it arises from the same contractual relationship.
Delivery periods, partial deliveries and force majeure
Delivery periods and dates are determined by the relevant contract or the information applicable during checkout when the contract is concluded. Periods described as expected or approximate are estimates but do not release us from our delivery obligation.
Where performance requires documents, components, approvals or technical clarification from the customer, an agreed delivery period does not begin before these have been received in full. Where advance payment is agreed, it also does not begin before payment has been received in full, unless otherwise agreed.
Delays caused by a failure of the customer to cooperate extend the delivery period reasonably to the extent that the delay results from that failure. We inform the customer of any foreseeable consequences.
In the event of force majeure or other events that were unforeseeable when the contract was concluded and for which we are not responsible, affected performance periods are extended by the duration of the impediment and a reasonable restart period. This requires the event actually to prevent or substantially impede performance. We inform the customer without undue delay of the impediment and its expected duration.
If performance becomes permanently impossible or the duration of the impediment makes further performance unreasonable for the customer, statutory rights apply. Payments already received for goods or services not supplied will be refunded.
Partial deliveries are permissible insofar as they are reasonable for the customer and can be used independently. The customer bears additional shipping costs arising from a division of deliveries initiated by us only if this has been agreed.
Delay in delivery, withdrawal and damages are governed by the statutory requirements and the liability provisions of these General Terms and Conditions.
Supply by our suppliers
If, despite having concluded a timely and corresponding procurement transaction, our supplier fails to supply us correctly or on time and we are not responsible for this, we may terminate the contract in respect of the affected goods, provided that we have not assumed the corresponding procurement risk.
We inform the customer of the unavailability without undue delay. Payments already made for the affected goods will be refunded without undue delay.
The customer's statutory rights remain unaffected.
Shipping, transfer of risk and assembly
Unless otherwise agreed, we determine the appropriate shipping method and carrier at our reasonable discretion.
For sales involving shipment, the risk of accidental loss and accidental deterioration passes to the customer when the goods are handed over to the carrier. Different agreements and statutory provisions, particularly where assembly or acceptance is owed, remain unaffected.
Transport insurance is owed only if agreed. Our responsibility for proper packaging and other breaches of duty on our part remains unaffected.
Assembly, installation, commissioning and instruction are included in the scope of performance only if expressly agreed.
Inspection and notification of defects
Where the statutory requirements of Section 377 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) are met, the customer must inspect the goods after delivery in the ordinary course of business and notify us of apparent defects without undue delay. Hidden defects must be notified without undue delay after discovery.
For clear documentation, notifications of defects should be submitted in text form, identifying the order, the affected goods and the nature of the defect.
For customers to whom Section 377 HGB does not apply, the statutory provisions apply.
Obvious transport damage should, where possible, be documented on delivery and reported to us. Failure to document damage with the carrier does not in itself result in the loss of statutory rights relating to defects.
Rights relating to defects
In the event of defects, we provide supplementary performance, at our choice, by repair or replacement. Our statutory rights to refuse supplementary performance remain unaffected.
The customer must give us the opportunity required for inspection and supplementary performance. Returns must be coordinated with us. We bear the necessary expenses of justified supplementary performance in accordance with statutory provisions.
If supplementary performance fails or is dispensable under the statutory requirements, the customer may exercise the statutory rights to a price reduction or withdrawal. Damages are governed by the section entitled “Liability”.
Rights relating to defects also apply to goods manufactured by third parties and to custom-made products. Any manufacturer's guarantee is additional and does not replace our statutory or contractual obligations.
No rights relating to defects arise for impairments caused exclusively by ordinary wear and tear, improper use, unauthorised interventions inconsistent with the intended use or inadequate maintenance after the transfer of risk. Our responsibility for defects already present when risk passes remains unaffected.
Where the customer specifies designs or materials, we are not liable for defects caused exclusively by those specifications, provided that we have fulfilled our own contractual duties of review and notification.
In the event of defects in title, supplementary performance may in particular consist of obtaining the necessary rights of use or reasonably modifying or replacing the goods without impairing their agreed characteristics and usability.
Limitation periods for claims relating to defects
Claims relating to defects generally become time-barred one year after delivery. Where acceptance is required, the period begins upon acceptance.
This shortened period does not apply in cases of fraudulent concealment, an assumed guarantee within its scope, intent or gross negligence, injury to life, body or health, or claims under the German Product Liability Act.
Special statutory provisions concerning buildings, items used for buildings and statutory recourse claims remain unaffected.
In all other respects, the statutory limitation periods apply.
Liability
We are liable without limitation for intent and gross negligence, culpable injury to life, body or health, under the German Product Liability Act and within the scope of an expressly assumed guarantee.
In cases of ordinary negligence, we are liable for breach of an essential contractual obligation. Essential obligations are those whose fulfilment makes proper performance of the contract possible in the first place and on whose fulfilment the customer may regularly rely. In such cases, liability is limited to the foreseeable loss typical of the contract at the time the contract is concluded.
Otherwise, liability for ordinary negligence is excluded.
These liability provisions also apply for the benefit of our legal representatives, employees and persons engaged to perform our obligations.
Mandatory statutory liability remains unaffected.
Intended use and advice
Our products are intended for professional use in businesses, laboratories, research institutions, universities, public authorities and comparable institutions. The relevant product description, agreed operating conditions and manufacturer's instructions are authoritative.
The customer must assess suitability for their specific application and the requirements applicable at the place of use, unless this assessment is expressly included in our scope of performance.
The customer is responsible for safe operational use and compliance with the provisions applicable to them as operator or user. Our own statutory and contractual obligations as manufacturer, trader or supplier remain unaffected.
We are not responsible for damage caused exclusively by use contrary to the intended purpose, improper installation, operation, storage, maintenance or modifications. The section entitled “Liability” remains unaffected.
Technical information and application guidance are based on the circumstances communicated to us. The customer should inform us of special operating conditions and risks that are not apparent. Specific advisory, testing or planning services are owed only if agreed. The provisions in the section entitled “Liability” apply to obligations actually assumed.
Repairs and items sent to us
Repairs are accepted only under a separate agreement. The scope of work, remuneration and any repair result owed are governed by that agreement.
Glassware may be subject to risks of breakage resulting from its material, internal stress or pre-existing damage. Any apparent special risks and any repair that can only be attempted are agreed before work begins. This does not constitute a general exclusion of our responsibility for breaches of duty on our part.
The customer may send items only if they are sufficiently cleaned, securely packaged and accompanied by full information on known hazards. Hazardous residues and contamination must be disclosed in advance. A decontamination declaration must be provided on request.
Where contamination is unclear or hazardous, we may refuse acceptance or processing until the matter has been clarified. Necessary further measures and costs must be coordinated with the customer; statutory claims remain unaffected.
The customer is liable under statutory provisions for damage resulting from a culpable breach of their obligations regarding shipment and information. Our liability is governed by the section entitled “Liability”.
Cancellation
There is no general contractual right to cancel free of charge. Statutory rights of withdrawal, termination and other rights to end the contract remain unaffected.
Mutually agreed contract terminations and their remuneration and cost consequences require agreement.
In the event of unjustified refusal to accept delivery or other breaches of duty, our claims are governed by statutory provisions. Saved expenses and other earnings required to be credited must be taken into account.
Retention of title
Delivered goods remain our property until all secured claims arising from the ongoing business relationship have been paid in full.
The customer must handle goods subject to retention of title with care. Pledging or transfer by way of security is prohibited. The customer must inform us without undue delay of third-party interference and draw attention to our ownership.
The customer may resell goods subject to retention of title in the ordinary course of business. The customer hereby assigns to us the resulting claims up to the amount of our relevant invoice, including VAT. We accept the assignment.
The customer remains authorised to collect the claims as long as they meet their payment obligations and no statutory grounds exist for revoking this authorisation. In the event of a justified revocation, the customer must provide the information and documents necessary for collection.
Processing takes place for us as manufacturer without imposing obligations on us as a result. Where goods are processed, combined or mixed with other items, we acquire co-ownership in the ratio of the invoice value of our goods to the value of the other items. If ownership does not arise in this way, the customer hereby transfers to us the corresponding co-ownership share.
On request, we release security of our choice to the extent that its realisable value exceeds the secured claims by more than ten per cent.
Repossession and realisation of goods subject to retention of title are governed by the statutory requirements.
Confidentiality and intellectual property rights
Confidential information and documents must be kept confidential and used only for the relevant contractual purpose. This applies in particular to non-public drawings, designs and product developments.
This obligation does not apply to information that is lawfully public, becomes known without breach of duty, is lawfully obtained from third parties or is independently developed. Disclosures required by law remain permissible.
We reserve ownership, copyright and other intellectual property rights in our documents and developments. Use beyond the contractual purpose or disclosure to third parties requires our consent unless authorised by law.
The customer is responsible for ensuring that specifications and documents they provide may lawfully be used. In the event of a culpable breach of this duty, the customer indemnifies us against justified third-party claims and necessary, reasonable legal defence costs. We inform the customer of claims asserted and enable a coordinated legal defence.
Export controls, sanctions and end use
Performance of the contract is subject to there being no conflicting applicable export control provisions, sanctions or embargoes.
Each party fulfils the foreign trade obligations applicable to it. Mandatory obligations of a party cannot be transferred to the other party.
Upon a justified request, the customer must truthfully provide the information required for verification concerning the recipient, end user, end use and country of destination, together with any necessary supporting evidence.
Where there are specific indications of a legal impediment to delivery, we may suspend the affected performance during a reasonable review. We inform the customer insofar as legally permissible.
If delivery is legally prohibited or a required authorisation is finally refused, we may end the contract in respect of the affected performance in accordance with the statutory requirements. Unused advance payments for goods or services not supplied will be refunded.
US or other foreign provisions must be observed insofar as they apply to the relevant party or transaction. These provisions do not constitute a blanket exclusion of all claims for damages.
Software
Software supplied with the goods is subject to the licence terms of the relevant rights holder communicated before the contract is concluded.
If no specific licence terms are agreed, the customer receives a non-exclusive right of use to the extent necessary for the contractual use of the delivered product.
Mandatory statutory rights of use, particularly under Sections 69a et seq. of the German Copyright Act (UrhG), remain unaffected.
Intellectual property and copyright notices must not be removed or altered without authorisation.
Data protection
We process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection provisions. Details are set out in the privacy notice linked on our website or in the full-range online shop. Any consent required under data protection law is not replaced by agreement to these General Terms and Conditions.
Applicable law and jurisdiction
German law applies, excluding the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
If the customer is a merchant within the meaning of German commercial law, a legal entity under public law or a special fund under public law, Göttingen is the agreed place of jurisdiction. We may also bring proceedings at the customer's general place of jurisdiction. Mandatory exclusive jurisdictions remain unaffected.
Places of performance are determined by the relevant agreement and statutory provisions.
Final provisions
The contractual language is German. Translations are provided for information unless expressly agreed otherwise.
If any provision of these General Terms and Conditions is or becomes invalid, the remainder of the contract remains effective. Statutory provisions replace invalid provisions.