英文销售框架协议Framework Sales Agreement

英文销售框架协议FrameworkSalesAgreement

UnderstandingtheCorePurposeofaFrameworkSalesAgreement

KeyElementsofaRobustFrameworkSalesAgreement

1.PartiesandRecitals:SettingtheStage

2.TermandTermination:DefiningtheRelationship’sLifespan

EveryFSAneedsaclear"term"—theperiodduringwhichtheframeworkapplies(e.g.,"threeyearsfromtheEffectiveDate").Equallyimportantareprovisionsforrenewal(e.g.,"automaticallyrenewforone-yeartermsunlesseitherpartygives60days’writtennoticetoterminate")andterminationrights.

Terminationclausesshouldaddress:

Forcause:Terminationifonepartybreachesamaterialterm(e.g.,repeatedlatepayments,failuretomeetqualitystandards)andfailstocurewithinaspecifiedperiod(e.g.,30days).

Forconvenience:Whethereitherpartycanterminatewithoutcause,andunderwhatconditions(e.g.,"Buyermayterminatewith90days’writtennotice,providedalloutstandingordersarefulfilled").

Post-terminationobligations:Whathappenstopendingorders,unpaidinvoices,orconfidentialinformationaftertermination(e.g.,"Confidentialityobligationssurviveterminationforfiveyears").

3.ScopeofProducts/Services:AvoidingAmbiguity

4.PricingMechanism:The"How"ofCost

Fixedpricing:Pricesaresetfortheterm,withexceptionsforpredefinedtriggers(e.g.,"pricesremainfixedfor12months;thereafter,maybeadjustedbasedonchangesinrawmaterialcostsexceedingX%").

Volume-basedpricing:Discountsforhigherorderquantities(e.g.,"ordersof1,000+unitsreceivea5%discountoffthelistprice").

Index-linkedpricing:Pricestiedtoapublicbenchmark(e.g.,"steelpricesbasedonthemonthlyaverageof[relevantindex],publishedby[authoritativebody]").

5.OrderProcess:FromRequesttoConfirmation

TheFSAshouldmapouthowindividualtransactions(orders)willbeinitiatedandconfirmed.Atypical流程mightbe:

Buyersubmitsapurchaseorder(PO)viaemail/portal,specifyingquantity,deliverydate,andanyspecialrequirements.

SupplieracknowledgesthePOinwritingwithinXdays;ifthePOconflictswiththeFSA(e.g.,adeliverydateearlierthanpossible),Suppliermustflagtheissuepromptly.

Clarifywhatconstitutesa"valid"PO(e.g.,mustincludePOnumber,authorizedsignatory)andwhetherverbalordersareenforceable(rarelyadvisable—"allordersmustbeinwritingtobebinding").

6.DeliveryandAcceptance:GettingGoodsWhereTheyNeedtoBe

Deliverytermsshouldaddress:

Deliverylocation:"FOBSupplier’swarehouse"(Buyerbearsshippingrisk)or"DeliveredDutyPaid(DDP)toBuyer’sfacility"(Suppliercoversshipping,insurance,andimportduties)?

Timing:"DeliverywithinXdaysofPOconfirmation";penaltiesfordelays(e.g.,"1%discountforeachweekofdelay,upto5%").

Acceptance:HowandwhenBuyeracceptsthegoods(e.g.,"Buyershallinspectgoodswithin10daysofdelivery;failuretonotifySupplierofdefectswithinthisperiodconstitutesacceptance").

7.PaymentTerms:EnsuringCashFlowAlignment

Paymenttermskeeptherelationshiphealthy.Specify:

Paymentperiod:"Net30daysfromthedateofinvoice"(standard)or"Net45daysforordersexceeding[volume]"?

Invoicerequirements:Whatmustbeincluded(e.g.,POnumber,deliverydate,itemizedcosts)toavoidpaymentdelays.

8.IntellectualProperty:WhoOwnsWhat?

Ifthesupplierprovidescustomizedproducts(e.g.,software,tooling)orusesthebuyer’strademarks,clarifyIPrights:

Customwork:"AllIPincustomtoolingdevelopedforBuyershallbelongtoBuyer,providedBuyerhasfullypaidforsuchtooling."

Trademarkuse:"SuppliermayuseBuyer’strademarkssolelytopromotetheproductscoveredbythisFSA,andonlywithpriorwrittenapproval."

9.Confidentiality:ProtectingSensitiveInformation

Partieswillsharenon-publicinformation(e.g.,pricingstrategies,customerdata).TheFSAshouldrequirethatsuch"ConfidentialInformation"bekeptsecret,usedonlyfortheFSA’spurposes,andreturnedordestroyedupontermination.

10.GoverningLawandDisputeResolution:ResolvingConflictsFairly

Finally,specifythelegalframeworkandhowdisputeswillberesolved:

Governinglaw:Whichcountry’slawsapply(e.g.,"ThisAgreementshallbegovernedbythelawsof[Jurisdiction]").

Disputeresolution:Mediationfirst?Arbitration(andwhere,e.g.,"undertherulesof[ArbitrationBody]in[City]")?Orlitigation(andwhichcourtshavejurisdiction)?

PracticalTipsforDraftingandNegotiating

Involveoperationsteams:Legalteamsdraftcontracts,butoperationsteamslivewiththem.Consultthosewhowillprocessorders,managedeliveries,orresolvedisputestoensuretermsarepractical(e.g.,a"24-hourPOconfirmation"requirementmaybeunrealisticforsmallsuppliers).

Anticipatechange:Markets,costs,andbusinessneedsevolve.Buildinflexibility(e.g.,periodicpricingreviews,amendmentproceduresviamutualwrittenconsent).

Clarify"ordersupremacy":IfaPOconflictswiththeFSA(e.g.,POspecifiesashorterdeliverytimethantheFSAallows),whichtakesprecede