Lab Services Terms and Conditions
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS LABORATORY SERVICES
These Terms and Conditions embody the whole agreement of the parties in the absence of a signed and executed contract between the Laboratory (LAB) and the Client. They shall supersede all previous communications, representations, or agreements, either verbal or written, between the parties. The LAB specifically rejects all additional, inconsistent, or conflicting terms, whether printed or otherwise set forth in any purchase order or other communication from the Client to the LAB. The invalidity or unenforceability in whole or in part of any provision, term, or condition hereof shall not affect in any way the validity or enforceability of the remainder of the Terms and Conditions. No waiver by LAB of any provision, term, or condition hereof or of any breach by or obligation of the Client hereunder shall constitute a waiver of such provision, term, or condition on any other occasion or a waiver of any other breach by or obligation of the Client. This agreement shall be administered and interpreted under the laws of the state in which services are procured.
Warranty. Recognizing that the nature of many samples is unknown and that some may contain potentially hazardous components, LAB warrants only that it will perform testing services, obtain findings, and prepare reports in accordance with generally accepted analytical laboratory principles and practices at the time of performance of services. LAB makes no other warranty, express or implied.
Scope and Compensation. LAB agrees to perform the services described in the chain of custody to which these terms and conditions are attached. Unless the parties agree in writing to the contrary, the duties of LAB shall not be construed to exceed the services specifically described. LAB will use the LAB default method for all tests unless specified otherwise on the Work Order. Payment terms are due upon receipt of the invoice by the client. All overdue payments are subject to an interest charge of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) per month or a portion thereof. Client shall also be responsible for costs of collection, including payment of reasonable attorney fees if such expense is incurred. The prices, unless stated, do not include any sale, use, or other taxes. Such taxes will be added to invoice prices when required.
Prices. Compensation for services performed will be based on the current Lab Analytical Fee Schedule or on quotations agreed to in writing by the parties.
Limitations of Liability. In a maximum extent permitted by applicable law LAB shall have no liability, obligation, or responsibility of any kind for losses, costs, expenses, or other damages (including but not limited to any special, direct, incidental, or consequential damages) with respect to LAB’s services or results. All results provided by LAB are strictly for the use of its clients and LAB is in no way responsible for the use of such results by clients or third parties. All reports should be considered in their entirety, and LAB is not responsible for the separation, detachment, or other use of any portion of these reports. The client may not assign the lab report without the written consent of the LAB. Client covenants and agrees, at its/his/her sole expense, to indemnify, protect, defend, and save harmless the LAB from and against any and all damages, losses, liabilities, obligations, penalties, claims, litigation, demands, defenses, judgments, suits, actions, proceedings, costs, disbursements and/or expenses (including, without limitation attorneys’ and experts’ fees and disbursements) of any kind whatsoever which may at any time be imposed upon, incurred by or asserted or awarded against client relating to, resulting from or arising out of (a) the breach of this agreement by this client, (b) the negligence of the client in handling, delivering or disclosing any hazardous substance, (c) the violation of the Client of any applicable law, (d) non-compliance by the Client with any environmental permit or (e) a material misrepresentation in disclosing the materials to be tested.
Hazard Disclosure. Client represents and warrants that any sample delivered to LAB will be preceded or accompanied by a complete written disclosure of the presence of any hazardous substances known or suspected by Client. Client further warrants that any sample containing any hazardous substance that is to be delivered to LAB will be packaged, labeled, transported, and delivered properly and in accordance with applicable laws.
Sample Handling. Prior to LAB’s acceptance of any sample (or after any revocation of acceptance), the entire risk of loss or of damage to such sample remains with the Client. Samples are accepted when receipt is acknowledged on the chain of custody documentation. In no event will LAB have any responsibility for the action or inaction of any carrier shipping or delivering any sample to or from LAB premises. Client authorizes LAB to proceed with the analysis of samples as received by the laboratory, recognizing that any samples not in compliance with all current DOH-ELAP-NELAP requirements for containers, preservation, or holding time will be noted as such on the final report. LAB reserves the absolute right, exercisable at any time, to refuse to receive delivery of, refuse to accept, or revoke acceptance of any sample, which, in the sole judgment of LAB (a) is of unsuitable volume, (b) may be or become unsuitable for or may pose a risk in handling, transport, or processing for any health, safety, environmental or other reason whether or not due to the presence in the sample of any hazardous substance, and whether or not such presence has been disclosed to LAB by Client or (c) if the condition or sample date make the sample unsuitable for analysis.
Legal Responsibility. LAB is solely responsible for the performance of this contract, and no affiliated company, director, officer, employee, or agent shall have any legal responsibility hereunder, whether in contract or tort including negligence.
Assignment. LAB may assign its performance obligations under this contract to other parties, as it deems necessary.
Force Majeure. LAB shall have no responsibility or liability to the Client for any failure or delay in the performance by LAB, which results in whole or in part from any cause or circumstance beyond the reasonable control of LAB. Such causes and circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, acts of God, acts or orders of any government authority, strikes or other labor disputes, natural disasters, accidents, wars, civil disturbances, difficulties or delays in transportation, mail, or delivery services, inability to obtain sufficient services or supplies from LAB’s usual suppliers, or any other cause beyond LAB’s reasonable control.
Law. This contract shall be continued under the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of laws provision.