British Standards Online (BSOL) Terms & Conditions

Intellectual Property Rights Statement

Copyright in British Standards

Copyright in all British Standards whether electronic or other format is owned by BSI. No British Standard may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, either in whole or in part, without prior written permission of BSI save within the limits provided by English legislation.

We incorporate both visible and invisible watermarks into British Standards and you agree that the following terms and conditions are applicable:

• A British Standard is licensed to a sole named user who is permitted to install a single electronic copy of it for use on a single computer.
• Hard copies of the BSI document may be printed by the named user for his own, non-commercial purposes.
• Where a licensed user has a specification or tender requirement to reproduce a British Standard as part of their documentation for external submission, the necessary pages of the document, including the whole document if required, may be reproduced and submitted.
• BSI are not aware of any inherent risk of viruses in the PDF files of BSI documents at the time that they are downloaded. BSI has exercised due diligence to ensure, so far as practicable, that such files do not contain such viruses. The PDF files supplied may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, these files may be printed or viewed but shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In downloading these files, parties accept the responsibility of not infringing Adobe’s licensing policy.
• The user accepts that the operation and use of these files is done so at the user’s risk. BSI does not accept and is not liable for any loss or damage which may be suffered from their operation or use. Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
• Network Licenses: Licensed users who wish to place the downloaded British Standard on an internal network or intranet are invited to apply to the BSI Licensing Department at the following address. Permission to reproduce extracts and further information on the licensing of BSI documents are also available :

Direct Sales Team
British Standards Institution
389 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AL
Email: bsmusales@bsi-global.com
Tel: + 44 (0)20 8996 707
Fax: + 44 (0)20 8996 7512

Trademarks and Copyright – General

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

BSI is the owner or the licensee of all intellectual property rights in our website, and in the material published on it. Those works are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All such rights are reserved.

You may print off one copy, and may download extracts, of any page(s) from our website for your personal reference and you may draw the attention of others within your organisation to material posted on our site.

You must not modify the paper or digital copies of any materials you have printed off or downloaded in any way, and you must not use any illustrations, photographs, video or audio sequences or any graphics separately from any accompanying text.

Our status (and that of any identified contributors) as the authors of material on our site must always be acknowledged.

You must not use any part of the materials on our site for commercial purposes without obtaining a licence to do so from us or our licensors.

If you print off, copy or download any part of our site in breach of these terms of use, your right to use our site will cease immediately and you must, at our option, return or destroy any copies of the materials you have made.

British Standards Online Terms & Conditions

Customers are asked to note that the following terms apply to the products they order.

1. INTERPRETATION

  • 1.1 In these Conditions: 'Buyer' means the person who accepts a quotation of the Seller for the sale of the Publications or whose order for the Publications is accepted by the Seller. 'Publications' means British Standards, international standards or other Publications (including any instalment) which the Seller is to supply in accordance with these Conditions. 'British Standard' means a standard published under the authority of the Seller. 'Hardcopy' means the paper form of a Publication. 'Electronic' means the digital form of a 'Publication'. 'Online' means BSI's British Standards Online Electronic Delivery System at BSOLinfo@bsi-global.com. 'Seller' means The British Standards Institution. 'Subscribing Member' means a subscribing member of the Seller. 'Conditions' means the standard terms and conditions of sale set out in this document and (unless the context otherwise requires) includes any special terms and conditions agreed in writing between the Buyer and Seller. 'Contract' means the contract for the purchase and sale of the Publications. 'Express Service' means the fastest and most reliable transport carrier capable of reaching the destination. 'Writing' includes telex, cable, facsimile transmission and comparable means of communication. 'Consumer' means any natural person who is acting for purposes that are outside his or her business.
  • 1.2 Any reference in these Conditions to any provision of a statute shall be constructed as a reference to that provision as amended, re-enacted or extended at the relevant time.
  • 1.3 The headings in these Conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.

2. BASIS OF THE SALE

  • 2.1 The Seller shall sell and the Buyer shall purchase the Publications in accordance with any written quotation of the Seller which is accepted by the Buyer, or any order of the Buyer which is accepted by the Seller, subject in either case to these Conditions which shall govern the Contract to the exclusion of any other terms and conditions subject to which any such quotation is accepted or purported to be accepted or any such order is made or purported to be made by the Buyer.
  • 2.2 No variation to these Conditions shall be binding unless agreed in writing between the authorized representatives of the Buyer and the Seller.
  • 2.3 The Buyer will be responsible for the selection of the Publications and any advice or recommendation given by the Seller or its employees or agents to the Buyer or its employees or agents as to the suitability, fitness for any purpose, application or use of the Publications is intended for guidance only and is followed or acted upon entirely at the Buyer’s own risk. Accordingly the Seller shall not be liable for any such advice or recommendations.
  • 2.4 Subject to Clause 2.5, BSI will normally accept returns which have been incorrectly supplied or are in some way deficient. BSI is not obliged, however, to accept the return of goods correctly supplied.
  • 2.5 There are different conditions for the return of goods by Consumers. Please refer to Clause 12 below.

3. ORDERS

  • 3.1 Orders can be placed Online through BSI's Internet site or can be directed to the Seller’s Sales Department at 389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL. Online orders for Publications are by credit card payment only. Hardcopy orders by non-members need to be paid in advance and this can be done via credit card by phoning +44 (0) 20 8996 7555.
  • 3.2 The Buyer shall be responsible to the Seller for ensuring the accuracy of the terms of any order submitted by the Buyer.
  • 3.3 The quantity and description of the Publications shall be those set out in the Seller’s quotation (if accepted by the Buyer), or the Buyer’s order (if accepted by the Seller), but in either case the Publications shall be inclusive of any amendments issued by the Seller to date of despatch.
  • 3.4 Subject to Clause 3.5, no order which has been accepted by the Seller may be cancelled by the Buyer except with the agreement in writing of the Seller.
  • 3.5 There are different conditions for the return of goods by Consumers. Please refer to Clause 12 below.
  • 3.6 Unless otherwise specified all Publications supplied will be to the current issue at date of despatch.

4. PRICE OF THE PUBLICATIONS

  • 4.1 The price of the Publications shall be the Seller's quoted price or, where no price has been quoted (or a quoted price is no longer valid), the price listed in the Seller's published price list current at the date of despatch of the order. The price listed will be increased by the charge (if any) made by the Seller for any amendments to a Publication issued to date of despatch. All prices quoted are valid for 30 days only or until earlier acceptance by the Buyer, after which time they may be altered by the Seller without giving notice to the Buyer.
  • 4.2 There may be a minimum order charge at the rate set by the Seller from time to time.
  • 4.3 Discounts at the rates set by the Seller from time to time are available to Subscribing Members and for educational purposes to UK education establishments and students attending such establishments and for bulk supplies of any one Publication. There are special terms for the purchase of complete sets of British Standards.
  • 4.4 The Seller reserves the right, by giving notice to the Buyer at any time before delivery, to increase the price of the Publications to reflect any increase in the cost to the Seller which is due to any factor beyond the control of the Seller (such as, without limitation any foreign exchange fluctuation, currency regulation alteration of duties, significant increase in the costs of labour, materials or other costs of production), any change in delivery dates or quantities which is requested by the Buyer, or any delay caused by any instruction of the Buyer or failure of the Buyer to give the Seller adequate information or instructions.
  • 4.5 Except as otherwise stated under the terms of any quotation or as otherwise agreed in writing between the Buyer and the all prices are given by the Seller exclusive of any applicable cost for postage carriage and packaging.
  • 4.6 The total price quoted by the Seller is inclusive of any applicable value added tax and shipping costs.

5. TERMS OF PAYMENT

  • 5.1 Non-members: Payment can only be made via credit card. If the Buyer does not have a relevant credit card, they should approach the Seller who will advise them of a list of approved Distributors to purchase the required goods. This list can be obtained by phoning +44 (0) 20 8996 7555. Receipts for hardcopy payment will be issued on despatch of Publications. Time of payment of the price shall be of the essence of the Contract.
  • 5.2 Subscribing Members: Subject to any special terms agreed in writing between the Buyer and Seller, the Seller shall be entitled to invoice the Buyer for the price of Hardcopy Publications on or at any time after delivery of the Publications. The Buyer shall pay the price of the Publications (less any discount to which the Buyer is entitled but without any other deduction) within one month of the date of the Seller's invoice. The time of payment of the price shall be of the essence of the Contract. Receipts for payment will be issued only upon request.
  • 5.3 If the Buyer fails to make any payment on the due date the Seller, without prejudice to any other right or remedy available to the Seller, shall be entitled to:
    • 5.3.1 cancel the contract or suspend any further deliveries to the Buyer;
    • 5.3.2 appropriate any payment made by the Buyer to such of the Publications (or the Publications supplied under any other contract between the Buyer and the Seller) as the Seller may think fit (notwithstanding any purported appropriation by the Buyer); and
    • 5.3.3 charge the Buyer interest (both before and after any judgement) on the amount unpaid, at the rate of two per cent per annum above LIBOR from time to time, until payment in full is made (a part of a month being treated as a full month for the purpose of calculating interest).

6. DELIVERY

  • 6.1 Unless the Seller otherwise requires in writing, or unless the Priority Service or Express has been requested, delivery of the Hardcopy Publications shall be made by first class post to the address given on the quotation or order. Priority Service orders received by 1200 will be despatched by first class post on the same day. Orders received after 1200 will be despatched by first class post on the following working day. Where the despatch is too heavy for standard post other methods of despatch will be used. Express Service orders received by 1200 will be despatched on the same day using the best available Express service taking the destination into consideration. Orders received after 1200 will be despatched by the best available Express service on the following working day.
  • Electronic delivery is available only to subscribers in accordance with the Subscriber Copyright Terms and Conditions.
  • 6.2 Any date quoted for delivery of the Hardcopy Publications are approximate only and the Seller shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of the Hardcopy Publications howsoever caused. Time for delivery shall not be of the essence unless previously agreed by the Seller in writing.
  • 6.3 Where the Hardcopy Publications are to be delivered in instalments each delivery shall constitute a separate contract and failure by the Seller to deliver any one or more of the instalments in accordance with these Conditions or any claim by the Buyer in respect of any one or more instalments shall not entitle the Buyer to treat the Contract as a whole as repudiated.
  • 6.4 Subject to Clause 6.5, returns will not be accepted without previous authorization by the Seller. Where the Seller has authorized and accepted a correctly supplied Publication as a return, the Seller reserves the right to charge a handling fee for the return.
  • 6.5 There are different conditions for the return of goods by Consumers. Please refer to Clause 12 below.
  • 6.6 Claims for non-delivery of goods and damaged/faulty goods must be received with 30 days (for UK deliveries) and 60 days (for overseas deliveries) of the date of the invoice for those goods. Your statutory rights are not affected.

7. RISK AND PROPERTY

  • 7.1 Risk of damage to or loss of the Publications shall pass to the Buyer upon delivery at the address given in Condition 6.1.
  • 7.2 Notwithstanding delivery and the passing of risk in the Publications, or any other provision of these Conditions the property in the Publications shall not pass to the Buyer until the Seller has received in cash or cleared funds payment in full of the price of the Publications.
  • 7.3 Until such time as the property in the Publications passes to the Buyer, the Buyer shall hold the Publications as the Seller’s fiduciary agent and bailee, and shall keep the Publications properly stored, protected and insured and identified as the Seller’s property. Until that time the Buyer shall be entitled to apply the Publications but not to resell them, shall account to the Seller for any insurance proceeds, and shall keep all such proceeds separate from any moneys or property of the Buyer and third parties.
  • 7.4 Until such time as the property in the Publications passes to the Buyer the Seller shall be entitled at any time to require the Buyer to deliver up the Publications to the Seller and if the Buyer fails to do so forthwith, to enter upon any premises of the Buyer or any third party where the Publications are stored and repossess the Publications.

8. RESTRICTION ON USE

  • 8.1 The Buyer acknowledges that:
    • 8.1.1 in calculating the price for the Publications the Seller has assumed that there will be no resale market.
    • 8.1.2 to maintain state of the art in the Publications it is essential that users receive the current version of the Publications.
    • 8.1.3 to provide adequate protection against copying by third parties it is reasonable to prevent alienation of the Publications. Accordingly it is a condition of the Contract that the Buyer will not without the prior consent in writing of the Seller resell, loan or part with possession of the Publications or any part of them.
  • 8.2 Copyright subsists in the Publications. No part of a Publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission in writing of the Seller.
  • 8.3 The restriction contained in Condition 8.2 does not preclude the Buyer in applying a Publication from making free use of necessary details such as symbols and size type or grade designations including without limitation use by incorporating the same into computer programs but the Buyer is precluded from selling, licensing or in any way parting with possession of any resulting product including without limitation, computer programs without the consent in writing of the Seller which if granted will be on terms including royalty.

9. WARRANTIES AND LIABILITY

  • 9.1 The Seller accepts liability in respect of death or personal injury caused by the Seller's negligence.
  • 9.2 British Standards are prepared under the direction of policy committees upon which bodies with substantial relevant expert knowledge or interest are represented. The Seller acts as secretary to these committees. All British Standards are made available for public comment before publication. British Standards are periodically reviewed with the intention of keeping the content up to date. If the Buyer encounters an inaccuracy or ambiguity in a Publication, the Buyer will notify the Seller without delay in order that the matter may be investigated and any necessary amendment made to the Publication. Free supply of any such amendment shall constitute the full extent of the Buyer's rights and the Seller's liability for any such inaccuracy or ambiguity. Whilst all reasonable care is taken in the preparation and review of British Standards, the Seller does not warrant that the content of the Publications is accurate or up to date or that the Publications are suitable for the Buyer's purposes. Subject as expressly provided in these Conditions and to the fullest extent permitted by law all warranties conditions or other Terms and duties implied by statute or common law are excluded.
  • 9.3 The Buyer is responsible for ensuring:
    • 9.3.1 that it obtains and uses the latest amendments or additions to Publications.
    • 9.3.2 where a Publication is incorporated into or referred to in a contract between the Buyer and a third party that the Publication is correctly applied under that contract.
  • 9.4 The Buyer acknowledges that a Publication does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract with a third party and that compliance with a Publication does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.
  • 9.5 The Seller shall have no liability with regard to the content or use of any Publication which is not published under the authority of the Seller. The Seller will assign to the Buyer the benefit of any warranty given by the publisher to the Seller.

10. INSOLVENCY OF BUYER

  • 10.1 This clause applies if:
    • 10.1.1 the Buyer makes any voluntary arrangement with its creditors or becomes subject to an administration order, or (being an individual or firm) becomes bankrupt, or (being a company) goes into liquidation (otherwise than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction), or an encumbrancer takes possession or a receiver is appointed of any of the property or assets of the Buyer; or
    • 10.1.2 an encumbrancer takes possession, or a receiver is appointed of any of the property or assets of the Buyer; or
    • 10.1.3 the Buyer ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on business; or
    • 10.1.4 the Seller reasonably apprehends that any of the events mentioned above is about to occur in relation to the Buyer and notifies the Buyer accordingly.
  • 10.2 If this clause applies, then without prejudice to any other right or remedy available to the Seller, the Seller shall be entitled to cancel the Contract or suspend any further deliveries under the Contract without any liability to the Buyer, and if the Publications have been delivered but not paid for the price shall become immediately due and payable, notwithstanding any previous agreement or arrangement to the contrary.
  • 10.3 The Seller reserves the right to make enquiries regarding credit status prior to making credit facilities available or at any other time it considers necessary. The Seller also reserves to the right to limit the amount of credit to be made available.

11. GENERAL

  • 11.1 Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under these Conditions shall be in writing addressed to that other party at its registered office or principal place of business or such other address as may at the relevant time have been notified pursuant to this provision to the party giving the notice.
  • 11.2 No waiver by the Seller or any breach of the Contract by the Buyer shall be considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.
  • 11.3 If any provision of these Conditions is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part the validity of the other provisions of these Conditions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected thereby.
  • 11.4 The Contract shall be governed by the laws of England and the parties submit to exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

12. CANCELLATIONS AND RETURNS BY CONSUMERS

  • 12.1 Consumers have an unconditional right to cancel an order within a period of seven working days, beginning on the day after the day of receipt of the goods.
  • 12.2 Notice of cancellation shall be made in writing by the Consumer by one of the following methods: post, fax or email.
  • 12.3 In the event of cancellation, the Consumer is under a duty to restore the goods to the Seller and in the meantime, to take reasonable care of them and pay for any charges incurred to return the goods to the Seller.
  • 12.4 Outside the period specified in Clause 12.1, no order which has been accepted by the Seller may be cancelled by the Buyer except with the agreement of the Seller. BSI is not obliged to accept the return of goods correctly supplied, but will normally accept returns which have been incorrectly supplied or are in some way deficient. Where the Seller does authorise and accept a correctly supplied publication as a return, the Seller reserves the right to charge a handling fee for the return.
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