1. Acceptance of Terms
Welcome to EPEC International. By accessing or using our platform, website, and services (collectively, the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Platform.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and EPEC International regarding your use of the Platform. By registering an account or using any part of our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.
Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform. By accepting these Terms, you represent and warrant that you are 18 years of age or older.
2. User Accounts
To access certain features of the Platform, you must register for an account. When you register, you agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information.
Account Responsibilities
- You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
- You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or use
- You are solely responsible for all activities that occur under your account
- You must not share your account credentials with third parties
- One person or business may not maintain more than one free account
Account Information
You agree to keep your account information accurate and up-to-date. EPEC reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that contain false or misleading information.
3. Buying on EPEC
EPEC provides a marketplace connecting buyers with chemical suppliers. As a buyer, you agree to:
Inquiry and Order Process
- Submit accurate and complete inquiries with specific product requirements
- Review all quotations carefully before confirming an order
- Pay for orders in a timely manner according to the agreed terms
- Provide accurate shipping and billing information
- Comply with all applicable import/export regulations
Buyer Obligations
You acknowledge that products purchased through the Platform are from third-party suppliers. EPEC facilitates transactions but is not a party to the actual sale. Buyers are responsible for verifying product specifications, quality, and compliance with local regulations.
4. Selling on EPEC
If you sell products on EPEC, you agree to:
Supplier Eligibility
- Be a legally registered business entity
- Possess all necessary licenses and permits for your products
- Complete the supplier verification process
- Maintain accurate and complete product listings
- Respond to buyer inquiries within 24 hours
Product Information
All product listings must include accurate information about specifications, pricing, packaging, and delivery times. Suppliers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all applicable chemical products. False or misleading product information may result in account suspension.
5. Payments and Fees
EPEC charges fees for certain services. By using our paid services, you agree to the following:
Buyer Payments
- All payments are processed through our secure payment system
- Payment methods include Credit Card, PayPal, T/T Bank Transfer, and L/C
- Payments are held in escrow under Trade Assurance until delivery confirmation
- Currency conversion fees may apply for international transactions
Platform Fees
Suppliers pay platform fees for listing products and processing transactions. Fee structures are clearly disclosed in the Seller Agreement. EPEC reserves the right to modify fee structures with 30 days' notice.
Refund Policy
Refunds are processed in accordance with our Trade Assurance program. Buyers may request refunds for non-delivery, quality issues, or misrepresentation. Refund requests must be submitted within the timeframe specified in your order confirmation.
6. Shipping and Delivery
Shipping terms and responsibilities are as follows:
Delivery Terms
Unless otherwise agreed, delivery terms follow Incoterms 2020 guidelines. Suppliers are responsible for shipping products as agreed in the order confirmation. EPEC provides tracking tools but is not responsible for carrier delays or failures.
Risk of Loss
Risk of loss or damage to goods passes to the buyer upon delivery at the specified location. Buyers should inspect packages upon arrival and report any damage within 48 hours.
Customs and Duties: For international shipments, buyers are responsible for all applicable customs duties, taxes, and import fees. Suppliers will provide accurate HS codes and commercial invoices to facilitate customs clearance.
7. Returns and Refunds
Our return and refund policy is designed to protect both buyers and sellers:
Return Conditions
- Products must be in original condition with original packaging
- Return requests must be submitted within 7 days of delivery
- Chemical products may have specific return restrictions due to safety regulations
- Custom or custom-made products cannot be returned
Dispute Resolution
If a buyer and supplier cannot reach an agreement, EPEC will mediate the dispute. Our Trade Assurance team will review evidence from both parties and make a final decision within 15 business days.
8. Prohibited Activities
Users agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:
- Posting or selling illegal, hazardous, or prohibited chemical substances
- Violating any applicable export control or sanctions regulations
- Providing false, misleading, or fraudulent information
- Attempting to circumvent EPEC's fee structures
- Interfering with the proper operation of the Platform
- Harassing, threatening, or intimidating other users
- Using the Platform for any unlawful purpose
- Attempting to gain unauthorized access to user accounts or systems
Consequences: Violation of these prohibited activities may result in immediate account suspension, legal action, and referral to law enforcement authorities.
9. Intellectual Property
Platform IP
All content, designs, logos, and software on the EPEC Platform are the intellectual property of EPEC International or its licensors. Users may not copy, modify, or distribute Platform content without prior written permission.
User Content
Users retain ownership of content they post on the Platform. By posting content, you grant EPEC a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display such content for operating and improving the Platform.
Trademark Policy
Users may not use EPEC's trademarks or logos without authorization. Suppliers may only use brand names and trademarks for products they are authorized to sell.
10. Limitation of Liability
EPEC is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, EPEC International shall not be liable for:
- Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
- Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
- Damages resulting from third-party actions or transactions
- Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in product listings
- Service interruptions, security breaches, or technical failures
EPEC's total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount of fees paid by the user to EPEC in the twelve months preceding the claim.
11. Termination
Either party may terminate this agreement:
User Termination
You may close your account at any time through the Platform settings or by contacting support. Upon termination, your account will be deactivated and your data handled according to our Privacy Policy.
EPEC Termination
EPEC may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, engage in prohibited activities, or pose a risk to other users or the Platform. We will provide notice when possible, except in cases of immediate threat or legal requirement.
Effect of Termination
Upon termination, all rights granted under these Terms will cease. Sections regarding Intellectual Property, Limitation of Liability, and Governing Law shall survive termination.
12. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of China, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be submitted to the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (SIETAC) for arbitration.
13. Changes to Terms
EPEC reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by:
- Posting the updated Terms on this page
- Updating the "Last Updated" date
- Sending an email notification for significant changes
- Displaying a notice when you next access the Platform
Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
14. Contact Information
For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:
Legal Department
Email: legal@epec.com
Address: EPEC International, 888 Pudong Avenue, Shanghai 200120, China
Phone: +86 21 5888 9999