I. PRÉAMBULE
These General Terms and Conditions (hereinafter: GTC) govern all contractual relations between Blanc SA (hereinafter: Blanc) and its customers (hereinafter: the Customer), unless otherwise agreed in writing and duly signed by both parties.
In the event of any conflict between these General Terms and Conditions and any special terms and conditions agreed in writing, the latter shall prevail. These General Terms and Conditions shall apply throughout the duration of the business relationship and shall take precedence over any general terms and conditions of the Customer.
Specific contractual annexes (the General Terms and Conditions of the standard contract or the General Terms and Conditions of the private contract) supplement these General Terms and Conditions for recurring services. In the event of any conflict, the contractual annexes shall take precedence over these General Terms and Conditions.
B Corp commitment and purpose. Blanc SA is a family-run business specialising in industrial cleaning and professional maintenance, and has been B Corp certified since 2023. Its mission is to ensure clean, safe and sustainable environments, whilst creating quality jobs and looking after the men and women who keep the business running. This commitment guides the contractual relationship with its clients and is reflected in its published policies on Human Resources, Human Rights, Responsible Procurement and Responsible Communications, available at www.blanc-sa.ch. These Terms and Conditions should be read and applied in line with these commitments.
II. CONCLUSION OF THE CONTRACT
Blanc’s offers are made without obligation. The contract is deemed to have been concluded only upon:
▸ written confirmation from Blanc, or
▸ conclusive acts, in particular the commencement of the provision of services, even in the absence of a formal signature.
In the event of any discrepancy between the quotation and the Customer’s order, Blanc will inform the Customer of this before commencing work.
III. PRICES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
3.1 The prices stated in the quotation or written confirmation are firm, unless otherwise stated. Any additional services or unforeseen costs will be invoiced separately, subject to the Client’s agreement.
3.2 If delays beyond Blanc’s control result in the completion time being extended and give rise to additional costs, these costs may be charged to the Client following prior notification.
3.3 Prices are adjusted annually in line with changes to the applicable Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) and material costs. Blanc shall notify the Client in writing at least 30 days prior to any price adjustment.
3.4 Blanc may request a deposit at any time and suspend its services until the deposit has been paid in full.
3.5 Unless otherwise agreed, invoices are payable within 20 days of receipt. Invoices are issued monthly for recurring contracts.
3.6 The Customer shall be deemed to be in default automatically upon expiry of the payment deadline, without the need for formal notice. In the event of late payment, Blanc reserves the right to suspend its services.
3.7 The Customer authorises Blanc to access their debt collection register extract in the event of any doubts regarding their creditworthiness. Such access is restricted to situations requiring verification prior to the granting or continuation of a contract. The processing of personal data obtained in this way complies with the Federal Data Protection Act (nLPD); the data is used solely for this purpose and retained for the time necessary to reach a contractual decision.
3.8 In the event of serious doubts as to the Customer’s creditworthiness, Blanc may require security or terminate the contract and claim damages.
3.9 All prices are net, in Swiss francs (CHF), including VAT where applicable.
4.1 Blanc shall carry out the work within the agreed timeframes. These timeframes are indicative and do not constitute essential terms within the meaning of Article 108(3) of the Swiss Code of Obligations, unless expressly agreed in writing.
4.2 Services are not provided on official Swiss public holidays. Any work carried out on a public holiday that has been expressly agreed upon will be invoiced on a time-and-materials basis — in addition to the contract, with no discount applied to the invoice.
4.3 Both parties undertake to cooperate to ensure that deadlines are met. If the Client prevents performance on the agreed date, payment remains due in accordance with the terms of the contract.
4.4 Any defect shall not entitle the Customer to withhold payment. Blanc undertakes to remedy any defect within a reasonable period of time.
4.5 Blanc complies with the collective agreement applicable to its sector.
4.6 Postponement of Service for Public Holidays. When an intervention scheduled under the contract falls on an official Swiss or applicable cantonal public holiday, it shall not be carried out and shall not give rise to any deduction on the invoice. Any request to reschedule to another business day requires the prior written consent of Blanc SA and shall be billed on a time-and-materials basis, in addition to the contract, without any deduction on the original invoice.
V. THE CUSTOMER’S OBLIGATIONS
5.1 The Customer shall provide, free of charge, water, electricity and a secure storage area that complies with best practice (restricted access, dry location, protected from the elements).
In the event of failure to comply with this obligation, Blanc SA reserves the right to charge additional fees arising from unsuitable storage conditions or to refuse to store the equipment on site until compliance is achieved.
5.2 The Client shall provide the keys and access required for the performance of the services. The Client shall inform Blanc of any changes to access arrangements as soon as possible.
5.3 Unless otherwise specified, waste must be placed in the containers provided by the Client.
5.4 The Customer must provide, at the start of the year (academic or calendar year, as specified in the contract), a list of all scheduled closure dates. If this information is not provided within the required timeframe, no amendments or deductions may be applied to the invoice. This is subject to cases of force majeure or where it is reasonably impossible to communicate within the specified time frame.
5.5 Materials and machinery delivered to the Customer remain the Customer’s responsibility from the moment of delivery.
VI. WARRANTY AND LIABILITY
6.1 Blanc shall only be liable in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct, in accordance with Swiss law. This restriction is subject to the mandatory provisions applicable to consumer relations under Swiss law, in particular Article 100(2) of the Swiss Code of Obligations and Article 8 of the Swiss Unfair Competition Act.
6.2 The Client must inspect the work immediately upon completion and report any defects in writing to info@blanc-sa.ch no later than five (5) working days following the service. After this period, the work shall be deemed to have been accepted.
6.3 In the event of a defect not attributable to the Customer, Blanc shall be granted a reasonable period of time to remedy it. Failing this, Article 368 of the Swiss Code of Obligations shall apply.
6.4 Damage caused by Blanc is covered by its professional liability insurance up to a limit of CHF 10,000,000. Any claim must be reported within 3 working days.
6.5 Blanc accepts no liability for damage to surfaces not protected by the Customer prior to the service (windows, delicate floors, etc.).
6.6 Blanc shall not be liable for indirect, immaterial or consequential damages, nor for the acts of its subcontractors within the meaning of Article 101 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. This restriction is subject to the mandatory provisions applicable to consumer relations under Swiss law.
VII. QUALITY AND SUBCONTRACTING
7.1 Blanc ensures that its services are provided promptly and carries out regular quality checks.
7.2 Blanc may engage qualified subcontractors, subject to equivalent contractual terms. The Client is informed of this and expressly accepts it by signing the contract. Subcontractors are selected in accordance with Blanc SA’s Responsible Procurement Policy, which incorporates social, environmental and human rights criteria, in line with the company’s B Corp certification. This policy is available at www.blanc-sa.ch.
7.3 The Client undertakes not to recruit or enter into direct contracts with Blanc’s employees or subcontractors during the term of the contract and for a period of 12 months following its expiry.
VIII. CSR COMMITMENTS AND COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
8.1 Environmental commitment. Blanc SA strives to reduce the environmental footprint of its services: selecting low-impact chemicals (in accordance with internal rules compliant with the OPA, the Chemicals Act and SUVA guidelines), controlled dosing, responsible water and energy management, optimisation of travel, and prioritising local suppliers. The annual carbon footprint assessment and the Responsible Procurement Policy provide the framework for this approach. The Client is invited to collaborate on responsible on-site waste management (sorting, recycling where possible); low-impact cleaning protocols may be agreed upon at the Client’s request.
8.2 Complaints and reporting procedure. Notwithstanding the guarantee provided for in Article VI, the Client and any stakeholder may at any time submit a complaint, concern or report to Blanc SA in writing to the dedicated contact address provided on www.blanc-sa.ch. All complaints received will be acknowledged, examined impartially and responded to within a reasonable timeframe. The principles applied are confidentiality, non-retaliation against individuals reporting in good faith, and traceability of processing, in accordance with Blanc SA’s Human Rights Policy.
8.3 Disclosure of commitments. Blanc SA reports annually on its social and environmental performance on its website. The policies referred to in the preamble and in this article are publicly available there.
IX. CONFIDENTIALITY
Blanc and its partners undertake to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information to which they may have access in the course of providing their services. This undertaking remains in force after the contract has ended.
X. TERM AND TERMINATION
The standard contract is automatically renewed on each annual renewal date and may be terminated by either party by giving written notice, subject to three (3) months’ notice prior to the renewal date. Private customers should refer to the relevant appendix for specific termination terms.
XI. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
11.1 The contractual relationship is governed exclusively by Swiss law. The Vienna Convention on the International Sale of Goods (CISG) is expressly excluded.
11.2 The exclusive place of jurisdiction is the registered office of Blanc SA at CH-1052 Le Mont-sur-Lausanne, unless otherwise required by mandatory law or unless Blanc has a legitimate interest in bringing proceedings before another competent court. For contracts with consumers, Article 32(2) of the Swiss Civil Procedure Code (CPC) applies without exception.
XI. GENERAL PROVISIONS ON HEALTH AND SAFETY
11.1 The parties undertake to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory provisions relating to health and safety at work, in particular the Labour Act (LTr), Ordinances 1 to 5 relating to the LTr (OLT 1 to 5), the Accident Insurance Act (LAA), the Ordinance on Accident Prevention (OPA), the Chemicals Act (LChim), the Chemicals Ordinance (OChim), the guidelines of the CFST and the applicable cantonal regulations.
11.2 The parties also undertake to comply with recognised technical standards, as well as industry standards and best practices, in relation to health and safety at work.
XII. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
12.1 Blanc SA provides its employees with personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the work carried out, in accordance with Article 5 of the OPA.
12.2 Where PPE specific to the site, the activity or the client company’s internal procedures is required, the client company undertakes to inform Blanc SA in advance and, where necessary, to make the necessary equipment available.
XIII. COOPERATION ON SECURITY MATTERS
13.1 The parties, as well as other companies operating on the principal’s site, shall cooperate actively on matters relating to health and safety at work, in accordance with Article 9 of the OPA.
13.2 The client undertakes to inform Blanc SA without delay of any situation, specific risk or exceptional circumstance that could jeopardise the health or safety of Blanc SA’s employees.
13.3 The client company shall take all necessary measures to ensure that working conditions comply with legal requirements and to prevent any risk to Blanc SA’s employees.
13.4 Blanc SA undertakes to inform the client company of any situation identified that could jeopardise the health or safety of the client company’s employees or third parties present on site.
XIV. TRAINING AND INFORMATION
14.1 Blanc SA provides training and instruction to its employees on the risks associated with the activities carried out, in accordance with Article 6 of the OPA.
14.2 The client undertakes to inform and, where necessary, train Blanc SA’s staff regarding the specific risks associated with its working environment, its facilities, its internal procedures and the particular hazards present on site.
XV. FIRE SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE OF INSTALLATIONS
15.1 The principal shall ensure that its premises and facilities comply with the applicable fire safety and building safety regulations.
15.2 The principal undertakes to ensure that its technical installations, equipment and infrastructure comply with the applicable legal and regulatory standards.
XVI. STORAGE PREMISES AND CHEMICALS
16.1 The client shall provide Blanc SA with premises suitable for the storage of the materials, equipment and products required for the performance of the services.
16.2 Storage areas must be separate from foodstuffs, properly ventilated and suitable for the storage of the chemicals used, secured against unauthorised access, and, where necessary, equipped with containment systems appropriate for the products stored.
XVII. MATERNITY PROTECTION
17.1 All parties must comply with the relevant provisions of the OProMa and any other applicable regulations.
17.2 The client company shall cooperate fully with the implementation of preventive and protective measures.
XVIII. SUSPENSION OF WORK FOR SAFETY REASONS
18.1 Each party reserves the right to suspend work immediately if safety conditions do not permit work to be carried out in accordance with legal requirements, or if a serious or imminent danger is identified.
18.2 Any suspension must be justified, documented and communicated to the other party as soon as possible.
XIX. ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS
19.1 Any accident, incident or near-miss occurring during the performance of the contract must be reported immediately between the parties.
19.2 The parties undertake to cooperate in analysing the events, implementing corrective measures and preventing any recurrence.
Version : 16.04.2026
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