Background:

These Terms and Conditions govern all purchases, registrations, memberships, participation in events, publications, and goods provided by EICF, whether online or offline, and form an integral part of any contractual relationship between EICF and the Purchaser or Use

EICF General Terms and Conditions

Issue 3, Effective Date : 7 October 2026

1 Scope, parties and definitions

1.1 These Terms apply to every offer, order and contract for the supply by the European Investment Casters’ Federation AISBL (“EICF”, “we”, “us”) of memberships, registrations for conferences, seminars and courses, exhibition and sponsorship services, technical visits, training, publications, advertising, digital content and any other goods or services, and to use of the Website.

1.2 EICF is an international non-profit association (AISBL) under Belgian law. Registered office: Rue Washington 40, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Enterprise number: BE 0728.842.261. Belgian VAT number: BE0728842261. The VAT numbers used for events in other countries are described in section 3.

1.3 Cancellations, notices and complaints must be sent to julieboyce@eicf.org .Postal address for notices: Holly Cottage, Gorcott Hill, Beoley, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 9EW, United Kingdom.

Email: julieboyce@eicf.org – Telephone: +44 (0) 1564 743077.

EICF may change these details by publishing the change on the Website.

1.4 In these Terms:

“Account” means the personal information, Payment Information and credentials that a User provides to access paid Content or the System on the Website.
“Administrative Office” means EICF’s administrative office at the postal address given in 1.3.
“Business Customer” is a Customer acting for purposes relating to its trade, business or profession.
“Carrier” means any third party that transports Goods from EICF to a Customer.
“Consumer” is a natural person acting outside those purposes.
“Content” means any text, graphics, images, audio, video, software, data compilations and other information that appears on or forms part of the Website.
“Customer” is the person or organisation that contracts with EICF, including a Purchaser, being any person or business that buys Goods from EICF through the Website.
“Event” is any conference, exhibition, seminar, course, visit or other activity organised by EICF.
“Event Start Date” is the first day of the Event as published by EICF.
“Goods” means any products that EICF advertises or makes available for sale, including through the Website. Exhibitor Goods are defined in 12.1.
“Online Services” means any online facilities, tools, services or information that EICF makes available through the Website now or in the future.
“Participant/Attendee” is any delegate, speaker, exhibitor representative, accompanying person or visitor.
“Payment Information” means any details required to pay for a purchase from EICF, including card numbers and bank account details.
“Purchase Information” means orders, invoices, dispatch notes, receipts and similar documents, in hard copy or electronic form.
“System” means any online communications infrastructure that EICF makes available through the Website now or in the future, including web-based email, message boards, live chat facilities, enquiry forms and email links.
“User” means any third party that accesses the Website and is not employed by EICF and acting in the course of that employment.
“Website” means https://eicf.org and any sub-domain, such as https://members.eicf.org, unless expressly excluded by its own terms.
“Working Day” is a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in Brussels.

1.5 These Terms are intended for Business Customers (B2B). A Consumer is covered by section 19. If a provision conflicts with mandatory law, it applies only to the extent the law permits, and the rest of these Terms remains in force.

2 Contract documents, formation and acceptance

2.1 The contract consists of the following, in this order of precedence: (a) a written agreement signed by EICF; (b) the booking confirmation and the description and price of the offering; (c) any specific conditions notified before ordering, such as a call for papers, exhibitor manual or course programme; (d) the INCAST Media Kit, where it applies to the order; (e) these Terms.

2.2 Only a written document signed by an authorised officer of EICF can change these Terms or the contract. Statements by staff, venues, hosts or suppliers do not.

2.3 Membership is also governed by EICF’s statutes and membership rules, which prevail on governance and membership status.

2.4 EICF will make the applicable conditions available before the Customer submits a paid order. The version accepted at that time governs the contract. The Customer accepts these Terms by ticking the acceptance box, signing, or paying. EICF will send a confirmation with a copy of, or durable access to, those conditions. The Customer’s own general terms do not apply.

2.5 An order, registration or application is an offer to contract. An automated acknowledgement confirms receipt only. The contract is formed when EICF sends a written acceptance or booking confirmation. Membership, exhibition and sponsorship applications require EICF’s approval. EICF may refuse any request and will then return any payment received for it.

2.6 A person ordering for an organisation confirms that they are authorised to bind it. The Customer must inform its Participants of these Terms and the event requirements, and is responsible for their compliance.

2.7 Where EICF uses a third-party platform for registration, payment or content, the platform’s terms may govern technical use of that platform. These Terms govern the relationship between EICF and the Customer.

2.8 These Terms and the documents in 2.1 are the entire agreement on their subject and replace earlier discussions and offers.

2.9 The Customer may not assign or transfer its rights or obligations without EICF’s written consent. EICF may use subcontractors.

3 Prices, VAT and payment

3.1 Prices are in euro unless stated otherwise. For Business Customers, prices exclude VAT unless the offering says otherwise, and VAT is added where the applicable rules require it. Any mandatory charge will be identified before the order.

3.2 The Customer must give accurate billing details before invoicing: legal name, address, VAT/TAX number and any purchase-order reference. EICF invoices on the information held at the time. If details are missing or invalid, EICF may charge VAT. Changes to an invoice requested later are possible only within 15 days of the invoice date and may carry an administration fee of 20 €.

3.3 EICF holds a VAT registration in each country where it organises conferences, seminars and courses, so as to comply with the EU VAT rules applicable to those supplies, and files its VAT returns there. Each Event follows the VAT rules of the country where it takes place as regards admission fees, and EICF invoices accordingly. Other supplies are invoiced under the VAT rules applicable to each supply.

3.4 Each invoice and booking confirmation shows the EICF VAT number used for that supply, the VAT rate charged or the applicable reverse-charge or exemption reference, and the place of the Event where relevant. Where EICF has no event-specific registration, the Belgian VAT number applies.

3.5 A VAT number alone does not entitle the Customer to supplies without VAT. If a tax authority treats a supply differently from the invoice because of information the Customer gave, the Customer bears the VAT, interest and penalties that result.

3.6 Cancellation charges, refunds and credit notes are treated for VAT in line with the original invoice and the applicable rules, and EICF issues credit notes where the law requires.

3.7 Payment is due by the date shown on the invoice or, if none is shown, within 30 days of the invoice date. Event registration fees are due at registration. Payments must be made in full in euro, without set-off, and free of bank charges and withholding taxes, which the Customer bears. Transfers must quote the invoice number.

3.8 For late payment by a Business Customer, EICF may claim statutory interest and fixed compensation under the Belgian Act of 2 August 2002 on combating late payment in commercial transactions, together with reasonable recovery costs.

3.9 If payment is overdue, EICF may, after a written reminder, suspend the affected service, refuse admission to the Event, or cancel the unpaid booking. A cancelled booking remains subject to the cancellation charges in these Terms. Amounts due remain payable even if the Participant does not attend.

3.10 Discounts, including membership and early-booking rates, apply only if their conditions are met by the stated date. If eligibility is lost, the standard rate is payable. EICF is not obliged to reinstate a discounted rate once it has been lost.

3.11 The Customer must raise any query on an invoice within 14 days of its date.

3.12 Card payments are processed by Stripe. Other means of payment, such as bank transfer, are accepted where stated on the invoice or on the Website.

3.13 EICF may assign its receivables to a factoring company, bank or other financing entity. This does not change the management or performance of the Customer’s orders.

3.14 If an instalment or any other amount is not paid on its due date, all other amounts owed by the Customer to EICF become immediately payable, and EICF may withdraw access to Events, the Website and membership discounts until all sums due are paid, to the extent mandatory law permits.

4 Membership

4.1 The membership offer states the category, subscription period, fee, benefits and approval requirements. An application confers no membership until EICF approves it. If EICF refuses an application, it refunds the related payment.

4.2 The subscription covers the period stated in the offer and is payable in advance for the calendar year. A member who is invoiced is bound to pay the subscription for the period in which it is invoiced.

4.3 A new member may cancel within 30 days of registration and receive a refund less an administration charge of €30. After that period, voluntary cancellation gives no right to a refund.

4.4 Renewal subscriptions are not refundable on voluntary cancellation. Notice of non-renewal must reach EICF by 31 December before the renewal year. Nothing in these Terms authorises automatic card debits. These provisions apply within the limits of EICF’s statutes and of mandatory law, including any right of a member to resign.

4.5 If EICF terminates a membership or renewal on its own initiative for reasons other than the member’s breach, non-payment or expulsion under the statutes, it refunds the subscription for the unexpired period under the membership rules.

4.6 EICF may suspend membership benefits while a subscription is overdue.

4.7 Members must comply with EICF’s statutes, rules and competition-law guidelines. Where these Terms and the statutes conflict on membership status or governance, the statutes prevail.

5 Event registration and admission

5.1 Admission requires a confirmed registration, payment under the agreed terms, and compliance with the requirements disclosed for the Event. A ticket gives access only to the activities included in its category.

5.2 EICF may check identity, employer, ticket category and eligibility for any discount. Badges are personal and must not be shared or used to obtain unauthorised access.

5.3 Registration does not guarantee a place in separately booked, capacity-limited or approval-based activities. EICF will identify such restrictions before booking where reasonably possible.

5.4 The Customer may ask in writing, at least, 25 Working Days before the Event Start Date, to replace a Participant. EICF will not unreasonably refuse a replacement who meets the eligibility conditions. EICF may charge any price difference and an administration fee of 25 €. A substitution is the way to avoid the cancellation charges in section 6. Resale of tickets is prohibited.

5.5 Participants are responsible for travel documents and visas. An invitation letter confirms Event arrangements only and does not guarantee a visa or admission by border authorities. Inability to travel is treated as a cancellation under section 6.

5.6 Participants should contact EICF early about accessibility needs. EICF will discuss reasonable arrangements with the Participant and the venue, within any disclosed site limits.

5.7 Presentations, proceedings and recordings made available to registered Participants are for their own use and that of their organisation, and may not be redistributed or published.

6 Cancellation, substitution and no-show by participants

6.1 A cancellation must be sent in writing to the mailbox in 1.3 and identify the booking and the Customer. The date EICF receives it decides the cancellation band. EICF will acknowledge it, but a late acknowledgement does not change the receipt date.

6.2 Unless different conditions were expressly agreed before purchase, voluntary cancellation of a delegate registration carries the following cancellation charge:

Registration	Notice received before the Event Start Date	Cancellation charge (% of registration fee)
Early-booking rate	At any time	100%
Standard rate	At least 8 weeks	0%
Standard rate	At least 6 weeks but less than 8 weeks	50%
Standard rate	Less than 6 weeks	100%

6.3 The cancellation charge is a pre-agreed compensation for the costs EICF has committed and the place it can no longer sell. It is due whether or not the registration fee has been paid. If the Customer has paid more than the charge, EICF refunds the difference. If the Customer has paid less, it must pay the balance.

6.4 Deadlines run from the published Event Start Date, in the time zone of the Event location. Event information should also show the equivalent calendar dates. A no-show is treated as a cancellation in the last band.

6.5 Separate optional activities, such as visits, dinners or courses, follow the conditions disclosed at booking. If none were disclosed, 6.2 applies.

6.6 EICF pays an agreed refund within 30 days, normally by the original payment method. Transaction costs disclosed before purchase may be deducted.

6.7 This section covers voluntary cancellation by the Customer only. Cancellation by EICF is governed by section 7.

7 Changes, postponement and cancellation by EICF; force majeure

7.1 EICF may make reasonable changes to an Event, including speakers, timetable, rooms and session format, while keeping the Event’s essential character. Such changes give no right to a refund.

7.2 If EICF materially changes the dates, city or format of an Event, it will notify the Customer and explain the new arrangements. The Customer may, within 14 days of the notice, cancel the affected services and receive a refund of what it paid for them. If it does not respond in that period, the change is treated as accepted.

7.3 “Force majeure” is an event beyond EICF’s reasonable control that makes performance impossible, unsafe or unreasonably burdensome. Examples are natural disaster, epidemic and public-health measures, war, terrorism, strikes, government or sanctions measures, travel bans, closure or unavailability of the venue, failure of transport or utilities, and cyber-attack. It is assessed under Belgian law. EICF will notify Customers and take reasonable steps to limit the effects.

7.4 In a case of force majeure, or if EICF cancels or postpones an Event for any other reason that is not its own fault, EICF may reschedule the Event, change its format, or cancel it. The Customer may then choose between (a) transferring its registration or booking to the rescheduled Event or another Event, or taking a credit note valid for 24 months, and (b) a refund of the amounts paid for services not supplied, less (i) the share of fees that corresponds to costs EICF has already incurred or committed and cannot recover, and (ii) services already supplied. EICF will document those costs on request.

7.5 If EICF cancels an Event because of its own fault, it refunds the fees paid for services not supplied, subject to section 18.

7.6 Travel, accommodation, visa and other third-party bookings are the Customer’s responsibility unless EICF expressly supplies them. EICF does not reimburse costs the Customer incurs independently, without prejudice to liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. Participants should use flexible bookings and suitable insurance.

7.7 EICF’s rights in 7.1 to 7.5 apply equally to seminars, courses and visits.

8 Exhibitions and sponsorship

8.1 The booking confirmation identifies the exhibitor or sponsor, the allocated services, price, included passes, deliverables and deadlines. The exhibitor manual and venue rules apply when supplied before contracting. Later safety instructions must be reasonable.

8.2 The booth is for the registered exhibitor only. Sharing, transferring, assigning or subletting it, in whole or in part, is not permitted. Co-exhibitors, third-party branding and representation of any other organisation in the booth are not permitted without EICF’s written approval. The same applies to virtual booths and digital exhibition space. EICF may, after notice, have a non-compliant display removed, and the exhibitor is not entitled to a refund for this.

8.3 The exhibitor is responsible for its displays, personnel and contractors, for safety compliance, and for damage caused by its acts or omissions. Required insurance and any minimum cover are disclosed before booking. Setup, staffing and dismantling must follow the published schedule. EICF may charge for late dismantling.

8.4 Exhibitors and sponsors indemnify EICF and the venue against third-party claims arising from their stand, goods, personnel, content or contractors, including infringement of intellectual property rights, except where caused by EICF’s own fault.

8.5 EICF may reasonably adjust the floor plan. If the contracted space, facilities or sponsorship deliverables are materially reduced, EICF will agree a remedy with the exhibitor or sponsor: an equivalent alternative, a price adjustment, or cancellation of the affected service.

8.6 If an exhibitor or sponsor cancels voluntarily, the following cancellation charge applies, unless the sponsorship agreement says otherwise.

Notice received before the Event Start Date	Cancellation charge (% of the booth or package price)
More than 26 weeks	25 %
At least 14 weeks and up to 26 weeks	50%
Less than 14 weeks	100%

The charge is due whether or not the price has been paid, and notice received exactly 26 weeks or exactly 14 weeks before the Event Start Date falls in the middle band.

8.7 The sponsorship agreement specifies sponsorship deliverables, cancellation conditions and the treatment of benefits already delivered. Sponsor content must be lawful and may be refused by EICF. Sponsorship does not imply EICF endorsement.

8.8 EICF may withhold stand access and sponsorship benefits until the price is paid and may re-let unpaid space.

8.9 Cancellation or change of an Event by EICF is governed by section 7.

9 Technical and industry visits

9.1 Visits may need separate approval from the host, have limited capacity, or be subject to operational and security restrictions. A conference registration does not guarantee a place on a visit.

9.2 EICF will communicate known requirements and deadlines before booking where reasonably possible. These may include identification, confidentiality undertakings, photography restrictions, clothing and protective equipment. EICF may pass the data of registered Participants to the host for admission and security purposes.

9.3 Participants must give accurate information and follow the host’s lawful rules, and may be asked to sign the host’s confidentiality or safety documents. Host approval is the host’s decision, and the host may refuse or withdraw a Participant. EICF will communicate refusals and changes when notified and, where practicable, offer an alternative.

9.4 A host refusal does not cancel an otherwise valid conference registration. Any separately charged visit or transport fee that EICF cannot supply to the Participant is refunded, less unrecoverable costs already committed by EICF, unless a clearly disclosed alternative is accepted.

9.5 Voluntary cancellation of a visit follows the conditions disclosed at booking or, if none, section 6.2.

9.6 The host is responsible for its site and its safety rules. EICF is not the host and does not act as carrier or insurer for the visit, subject to section 18.

10 Training courses and seminars

10.1 The course programme states the dates, venue or online format, language, fee, number of places and any certificate. EICF may change the trainer, venue or format where the content and quality are maintained.

10.2 EICF may postpone or cancel a course if the minimum number of participants, 10, is not reached 6 weeks before the start. The Customer may then transfer to another date or receive a full refund of the course fee. EICF is not liable for travel or accommodation costs.

10.3 Voluntary cancellation by the Customer carries the following charge.

Notice received before the course start date	Cancellation charge (% of course fee)
At least 8 weeks	0%
At least 6 weeks but less than 8 weeks	50%
Less than 6 weeks, or no-show	100%

10.4 Section 6.3 applies to these charges. The Customer may name a replacement participant under section 5.4.

10.5 Course materials belong to EICF or its trainers. They are for the participant’s own use and that of its organisation, and may not be copied, recorded or distributed outside it.

10.6 A certificate of attendance requires full attendance. EICF does not guarantee any particular result, qualification or employment outcome.

10.7 VAT on courses is dealt with under section 3.

11 Abstracts, papers and speakers

11.1 Submission does not guarantee acceptance, publication, a speaking slot or free registration. The call for papers states the requirements, deadlines, review process and any presenter registration obligation.

11.2 The submitting author confirms that they are authorised to submit on behalf of all contributors, that the author information is accurate, and that they hold all employer, co-author and third-party permissions. The submission must not infringe anyone’s rights or disclose confidential information unlawfully. The author indemnifies EICF against third-party claims arising from a breach of this clause.

11.3 EICF may accept, reject or request revisions under the published scope and review process. It may withdraw an acceptance for material misrepresentation, plagiarism, missing permissions or failure to meet disclosed requirements, after giving the author an opportunity to respond where practicable.

11.4 Authors keep ownership of their work. For an accepted abstract, the author grants EICF a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to reproduce, format and publish the abstract and author details in the Event programme, on the Website, in the proceedings and in INCAST, and to keep them in the EICF archive. EICF will credit the author and will not materially change the technical meaning without approval. The publication arrangements are presented before submission.

11.5 By accepting a speaking slot and signing the Agreement in 11.7, the speaker grants EICF a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence, without time limit, to record the presentation in audio and video, itself or through its service providers, and to make the recording and the slides as presented available to registered Participants, EICF members and through EICF’s digital platforms and archive, and to use short extracts to describe the Event. The speaker must ensure that third-party content in the presentation is cleared for this use.

11.6 Authors must raise confidentiality, patent or publication restrictions before submission. EICF cannot guarantee confidential treatment of material meant for public release. Requests to correct or withdraw material should be sent promptly, and EICF will explain what is practicable once distribution has taken place.

11.7 After acceptance, EICF will send the designated speaker an Abstract Acceptance and Commitment Agreement. The speaker must sign and return it by the deadline EICF states. By signing, the speaker commits to attend and deliver the accepted presentation. Acceptance of the abstract alone does not complete this commitment, and EICF may withdraw the presentation if no signed Agreement is received in time.

11.8 If the designated speaker cannot take part, they must tell EICF in writing when responding to the Agreement and no later than its return deadline. Any proposed substitute must be named at that stage and needs EICF’s written approval. The approved substitute must sign and return the Agreement by the deadline, or tell EICF in the same way that they cannot take part.

11.9 If, after signing, circumstances prevent the speaker from taking part, they must notify EICF in writing immediately. A substitution needs EICF’s written approval and a signed Agreement from the substitute by the deadline EICF specifies. Notifying EICF does not itself release the speaker from the Agreement.

11.10 If a speaker who has signed the Agreement withdraws, or does not attend, without an approved substitute, EICF may remove the presentation from the programme and cancel any free or reduced registration given to the speaker, so that the standard rate becomes payable. This applies in addition to the Agreement and applicable law.

11.11 Speakers must register for the Event by the stated date in the Call, unless EICF has granted free registration.

11.12 Speakers’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily represent EICF.

12 Exhibitor goods

12.1 This section applies to goods, equipment, displays, samples and materials that exhibitors supply for EICF Events (“Exhibitor Goods”). Ownership of, and responsibility for, Exhibitor Goods stays with the exhibitor.

12.2 EICF, in coordination with the congress centre, will designate the place and time window for receiving Exhibitor Goods. This may be the venue or an intermediate storage facility. EICF will communicate delivery addresses, dates, labelling requirements and instructions before shipment.

12.3 Where an intermediate facility is used, EICF will make reasonable efforts to coordinate onward transfer of goods received under the published instructions to the venue in time for setup. EICF only coordinates. It is not the exhibitor’s carrier, depositary or insurer.

12.4 The exhibitor arranges and pays for shipment and must ensure its goods arrive on time, complete, undamaged and suitably packed. It must provide accurate delivery information, shipping documents and customs documents, and is the importer and exporter of record. Goods delivered outside the designated place or window may be refused, unless EICF agreed otherwise in writing. Hazardous, prohibited or illegal goods may not be shipped.

12.5 EICF may designate a place and window for goods awaiting return. The exhibitor is responsible for repacking, labelling, return documents and collection by its carrier within the notified period. Making space available does not mean EICF will ship the goods back.

12.6 Goods not collected within 7 days after the notified period are treated as abandoned. EICF may store them at the exhibitor’s cost or dispose of them.

12.7 The exhibitor is responsible for the condition, protection and insurance of its goods throughout transport, storage, transfer, exhibition and return. Receipt at a designated place is not verification of the quantity, contents or condition of a shipment. Visible damage or loss must be reported to EICF in writing within 24 hours of delivery at the venue.

12.8 To the extent the law permits, and subject to 18.2, EICF accepts no liability for loss, theft, damage, deterioration or delay affecting Exhibitor Goods during transport, receipt, handling, storage, transfer, exhibition or collection. EICF’s coordination does not transfer the exhibitor’s responsibility to EICF.

12.9 EICF does not charge shipping fees for Exhibitor Goods. The exhibitor bears the charges of its carriers, forwarders, customs agents and other providers.

13 Publications, INCAST, advertising and goods

13.1 Publications and digital content are supplied under a licence for the buyer’s own use and that of its organisation. The buyer may not copy, redistribute, publish or make them available to third parties without EICF’s written permission.

13.2 INCAST is the magazine of EICF and the Investment Casting Institute (ICI) of North America. EICF, ICI and the authors keep the rights they hold in its content. An eligible EICF member may publish a Member Profile, normally of two pages, which describes the nature of the member, such as its history, operations and international presence. A Member Profile is not commercial promotion. EICF and ICI have editorial control of INCAST.

13.3 Advertisements are ordered under the applicable rate card. The advertiser must supply material by the stated deadline, is responsible for its content, and indemnifies EICF against third-party claims arising from it. EICF may refuse or remove advertising that is unlawful or inappropriate. Positions are not guaranteed unless confirmed in writing. An advertisement may be cancelled as per the conditions established on the annual INCAST Media kit. The Annual INCAST Media Kit is available through the EICF web site.

13.4 For physical Goods, delivery times are indicative, and risk passes to the buyer on handover to the Carrier. Defects must be notified in writing within 7 days of delivery, and EICF’s remedy is, at its option, repair, replacement or refund.

13.5 Goods ordered through the Website are described and pictured with reasonable care, but EICF is not responsible for minor variations from the description, without prejudice to liability for its own negligence or for supplying different Goods. Goods are subject to availability, EICF does not guarantee stock, and stock levels are not shown on the Website.

13.6 Prices on the Website are correct when published. EICF may change prices and alter or withdraw offers. If the price changes between the order and its processing, EICF will contact the Customer with the new price before processing the order. EICF may cancel an order for any reason before payment is processed and the Goods are dispatched, and will then refund any payment received.

13.7 Goods are dispatched or made available only after full payment has been received in EICF’s bank account. EICF will notify the Customer by email when Goods are dispatched, with the estimated delivery time and any reason for delay. Title to the Goods remains with EICF until the full price has been received.

13.8 If Goods are ordered from outside the European Union, import duties and taxes may be payable at destination. EICF is not responsible for them and does not calculate or estimate them. The Customer is the importer of record and must ensure that the purchase complies with the laws of the country of import. Goods may be inspected by customs on arrival, and EICF does not guarantee that packaging will show no signs of inspection.

13.9 Wrong, faulty or transit-damaged Goods must be notified under 13.4. Damage apparent on delivery should also be noted on the delivery note or other Purchase Information. EICF will arrange collection, by the Carrier or otherwise, and, at the Customer’s choice where available, replace the Goods or refund the price paid, on receipt of the returned Goods in their original condition with all packaging and documents.

13.10 A Customer who no longer wants Goods that have been dispatched or delivered may return them within 10 days of receipt, if the packaging is unopened and EICF can resell them as new without additional work. The Customer pays the return shipping. Opened audio or video recordings, software and other digital content cannot be returned unless they are faulty. EICF exercises reasonable discretion on returns within the law, taking into account any prior use of the Goods and any characteristic that makes them deteriorate or expire quickly. Section 19 applies to Consumers.

13.11 Section 18 applies to all supplies under this section.

14 Conduct, refusal of admission, sanctions and competition law

14.1 Participants must behave professionally, respect others and follow the reasonable instructions of EICF, the venue and hosts. Harassment, discrimination, threats, violence, serious disruption, unauthorised recording and unsafe conduct are prohibited.

14.2 EICF may refuse or withdraw admission on reasonable grounds, including material misrepresentation in registration, unresolved non-payment, badge misuse, serious or repeated misconduct, safety risks, a sanctions or other legal restriction, or a breach of 14.5. Decisions must be proportionate and not unlawfully discriminatory.

14.3 Where appropriate, EICF will explain the issue and allow an opportunity to remedy it. Immediate removal may be needed for safety or to stop serious disruption. The affected person may request written reasons and a review from EICF’s Administrative Office, subject to confidentiality and legal limits.

14.4 Where admission is refused or withdrawn because of the Participant’s conduct or breach, EICF is not required to refund the fees for services not used, subject to mandatory law. Where it is withdrawn for reasons attributable to EICF, EICF refunds the affected unsupplied service.

14.5 The Customer and each Participant confirm that they are not subject to sanctions or restrictive measures of the European Union, the United Nations or any other law applicable to EICF, and that their participation would not breach export-control rules. EICF may refuse, suspend or terminate a contract, and may withhold, block or redirect any payment or refund, where applicable law requires or where EICF reasonably considers that it would breach such measures. EICF is not liable for the consequences.

14.6 Participants must comply with competition law. Event discussions must not be used to agree prices, allocate customers or markets, or exchange competitively sensitive information unlawfully. EICF may stop any discussion that raises such concerns, ask a Participant to leave it, and apply its competition-law guidelines and agendas.

15 Photography and recording

15.1 EICF and the service providers it appoints may photograph, film, record and stream Events, for documentation, information to members, the EICF archive and the promotion of EICF and its Events. EICF will inform Participants of this in the registration process and by notices at the Event.

15.2 A Participant who objects to being photographed or filmed may tell EICF, for instance at the registration desk, and EICF will make reasonable efforts to respect this, for example by avoiding close-ups. Registration alone is not a waiver of any image or data-protection right that the law does not allow to be waived.

15.3 Recordings of sessions are available to registered Participants and EICF members and subject to section 5.7. Speaker recording and reuse are governed by section 11.

15.4 Participants may not record, photograph or livestream sessions, technical visits or restricted material without EICF’s or the host’s written permission.

15.5 Personal data in photographs and recordings is handled under the Privacy Notice (section 16).

16 Data protection and communications

16.1 EICF processes personal data as described in its Privacy Notice at https://eicf.org/privacy-policy/. Further information is given where data is collected, including on event and submission portals.

16.2 EICF may share personal data with venues, visit hosts, service providers and platform providers where this is necessary for the Event and has a lawful basis. Registration does not authorise disclosure of contact details to sponsors or exhibitors for their own marketing. EICF shares a Participant’s details with a sponsor or exhibitor only where the Participant has chosen “share” in the Event mobile app or has otherwise agreed to this separately. The setting is not a condition of attending, and the Participant may change it at any time. A sponsor or exhibitor that receives personal data is responsible for its own use of it, must comply with data-protection law, and may use it only for the purposes disclosed to the Participant.

16.3 The Customer confirms that it has informed its Participants about this processing and has a lawful basis to give EICF their data.

16.4 EICF sends administrative communications about contracts and participation. Marketing communications depend on separate choices, which the recipient may withdraw at any time without affecting the contract. Accepting these Terms is not consent to marketing.

16.5 Cookies and similar technologies are explained at https://eicf.org/cookies-policy/. Where consent is legally required, they operate only after valid consent, which the User can manage and withdraw through the Website’s preference controls.

17 Website, accounts and online communications

17.1 By using the Website you agree to this section. The Website, its Content and any description or price of Goods, Events or memberships are information only and not an offer capable of acceptance. A contract is formed under section 2.

17.2 Users must give accurate information, keep it up to date and, if buying for an employer, have authority to submit Payment Information. Account credentials are personal and must not be shared, and EICF is not liable for loss resulting from their being shared. A User who suspects unauthorised access must tell EICF immediately so that the Account can be suspended and pending unauthorised orders cancelled. Goods already dispatched cannot be recalled.

17.3 A User may close their Account by writing to EICF. EICF may suspend or close an Account for misuse, a security risk, a breach of these Terms or another reasonable ground, and will normally explain why, except where security or legal reasons prevent it. Orders not yet accepted or dispatched on a closed Account may be cancelled and any payment returned. Confirmed bookings are not affected unless the Account is closed for breach.

17.4 When using the System, including enquiry forms and member areas, Users must not submit obscene, unlawful, abusive, threatening, harassing, defamatory or discriminatory content, or content that incites violence. They must not impersonate others, in particular EICF staff or affiliates, or send spam. English is preferred, since EICF may be unable to reply in other languages. EICF may monitor and retain communications as the law and the Privacy Notice allow, and may edit or remove Content posted on the Website. By posting, the User gives EICF a non-exclusive licence to use that Content on the Website. Any restriction must be notified in advance, and EICF may reject it.

17.5 Content, unless uploaded by Users, belongs to EICF, its affiliates or third parties and is protected by Belgian and international law. Rights in product images and descriptions may belong to manufacturers or distributors. Content may not be reproduced, copied, distributed, stored or re-used without written permission, unless the Website or the law allows it. The names and logos of EICF and its Events may not be used without permission.

17.6 Links to the home page of the Website are permitted. Links to other public pages are permitted if they are lawful, accurate and do not wrongly suggest endorsement or affiliation. EICF may ask for removal of misleading or unlawful links. Linked third-party sites are not under EICF’s control, and EICF is not responsible for them or their content.

17.7 The Website and the Online Services are provided “as is” and “as available”. To the extent the law permits, EICF gives no warranty that they will meet Users’ requirements or be error-free, secure, compatible or accurate. Content is not professional or technical advice and should not be relied on for decisions. EICF takes reasonable steps to protect the Website, but Users are responsible for their own security and devices. EICF is not liable for disruption from external causes such as ISP, host or network failure, power failure, natural events, war or legal restrictions. Where a disruption affects a paid service or a submission deadline, EICF will consider a reasonable remedy.

17.8 Apart from services bought under a contract, to which section 18 applies, and to the extent the law permits and subject to 18.2, EICF is not liable for loss arising from the use of, or inability to use, the Website or the Online Services, or from reliance on Content. Users act at their own risk. Section 19 applies to Consumers.

18 Liability

18.1 Each party is responsible for its own breach and for loss attributable to it under applicable law. A party claiming compensation must take reasonable steps to limit its loss.

18.2 Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, intentional fault, death or personal injury, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

18.3 Subject to 18.2, EICF’s total liability arising from or in connection with a contract or a service is limited to the fees paid or payable by the Customer for the affected service.

18.4 Subject to 18.2, EICF is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, or for loss of profit, revenue, business, contracts, goodwill or anticipated savings, or wasted expenditure such as travel and accommodation, whether or not foreseeable.

18.5 EICF is responsible for subcontractors it uses to supply services it has undertaken to supply. It is not responsible for independent third-party arrangements made directly by the Customer or Participants, such as travel, hotels, visa and transport, nor for the acts of visit hosts, venues or other third parties outside its contractual responsibility.

18.6 The Customer is responsible for the acts and omissions of its Participants, and must compensate EICF and the venue for damage they cause.

18.7 The Customer must notify any claim to EICF in writing within 30 days of the end of the Event, or of the date it became aware of the cause if later, and bring any legal action within 12 months of that date.

18.8 Information in presentations, papers and on the Website is given in good faith and is not professional or technical advice. EICF is not liable for the views of speakers or authors.

18.9 Refund commitments and mandatory remedies are not affected by this section.

18.10 To the extent the law permits, and subject to 18.2, a claim arising from or in connection with a contract may be made only against EICF. The extra-contractual liability of EICF’s directors, officers, employees, volunteers, service providers and other auxiliary persons towards the Customer and its Participants is excluded, and those persons may rely on this section 18.

19 Consumers

19.1 If the Customer is a Consumer (B2C), these Terms apply only to the extent that they do not reduce the Consumer’s mandatory rights, and the Consumer keeps the statutory rights of withdrawal, conformity and remedy that apply.

19.2 Where a withdrawal right applies, EICF will give the legally required information and any model form before contracting. Any exception, such as for leisure services on a specified date, is applied only where its legal conditions are met.

19.3 Statutory refunds are made within the legal period without unlawful deductions. No cancellation condition in these Terms overrides them.

19.4 EICF will provide information about any competent alternative dispute-resolution body where the law requires it. A Consumer may bring proceedings in the courts that are competent under mandatory rules, including those of the Consumer’s place of residence.

20 Complaints, notices, changes, governing law and jurisdiction

20.1 Complaints must be sent to the mailbox in 1.3 with the booking or invoice reference and a description of the issue. EICF will acknowledge a complaint within 5 Working Days and respond within 30 days.

20.2 Notices to EICF are sent by email to the mailbox in 1.3 or by post to the address given there. Notices to the Customer are sent to the contact details it supplied, which it must keep current. An email is deemed received on the next Working Day after sending, unless a delivery failure notice is received, and a letter five Working Days after posting. Cancellation timing is governed by section 6.

20.3 EICF may update these Terms for future contracts. Updates carry an effective date. An existing contract stays under the version accepted, unless a change is required by law or agreed. For a continuing membership, EICF will give at least 30 days’ notice of any change to the renewal terms. Changes to section 17 apply to use of the Website from their publication.

20.4 If a provision is invalid or unenforceable, the rest of these Terms remains in force and EICF and the Customer will replace the provision with a valid one that comes closest to its purpose. A failure to enforce a right at once is not a waiver of it.

20.5 These Terms are written in English. A translation is for convenience, and the English text prevails.

20.6 The contract, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it, is governed by Belgian law, excluding its conflict-of-laws rules and the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, subject to mandatory consumer protections.

20.7 For contracts with Business Customers, the courts of Brussels, Belgium (the Enterprise Court) have exclusive jurisdiction. EICF may also bring proceedings before the courts of the Customer’s domicile or where enforcement is sought.

20.8 Before starting proceedings, the parties will try in good faith to settle a dispute directly for 30 days. This does not prevent urgent interim measures, or collection of undisputed invoices.

20.9 Provisions that by their nature are meant to continue after a contract ends, including payment, liability, intellectual property, data protection, governing law and jurisdiction, remain in force.

20.10 Nothing in these Terms gives rights to any third party, except that the persons named in 18.10 may rely on that clause. The contract is between the Customer and EICF.

20.11 These Terms replace earlier versions for contracts concluded on or after the effective date. In case of conflict with an earlier version, these Terms prevail unless expressly stated otherwise.

European Investment Casters´ Federation AISBL

Registered Office: La Maison des Associations Internationales (MAI), Rue Washington 40, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium

Terms & Conditions