Lean Academy I  In-house Implementation I Supporting Products

Terms & Conditions

1. Applicability

These general terms and conditions are valid from 13 August 2026 and replace all previous versions. They apply to all agreements for the delivery of products and services by Van Goubergen P&M, including Lean Academy by Van Goubergen P&M. The client’s standard conditions do not apply unless they have been explicitly accepted by us in writing.

2. Offer and Acceptance

All offers and price quotations made by or on behalf of Van Goubergen P&M are non-binding as to price, content and delivery time and expire after 30 days. They are based on the information supplied by the client at that time. The client guarantees that all information essential to the preparation and execution of the assignment has been provided. Van Goubergen P&M will describe the assignment as accurately as possible in the offer or assignment confirmation and will give the client insight into the proposed method. Delivery conditions will be specified where necessary. An agreement is concluded only after written confirmation by Van Goubergen P&M.

Van Goubergen P&M reserves the right to refuse candidates for its open training programmes where, for example, they carry out competing activities or belong to a competing organisation.

3. Obligations of Van Goubergen P&M

Van Goubergen P&M will endeavour to carry out the agreed work to the best of its knowledge and ability, in accordance with the standards of good professional practice and what may reasonably be expected in the context of the assignment. This is an obligation of means; no guarantee is given as to the result of the services. Van Goubergen P&M may have the agreed work carried out in whole or in part by another party. The assignment is carried out from a professionally independent position. At the client’s request, consultations will take place about the status and manner of execution. If Van Goubergen P&M becomes aware of facts or circumstances that may adversely affect the progress of the work or the outcome of the services, it will inform the client.

4. Obligations of the Client

The client ensures that all documents and data required by Van Goubergen P&M to carry out the assignment are supplied on time. The client is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided. Van Goubergen P&M is not liable for damage caused by incomplete or defective information supplied by or on behalf of the client. The client must also ensure the timely availability of employees involved in the work. The client may not involve third parties in the execution of the assignment without the written consent of Van Goubergen P&M. Facts and circumstances arising from changes in the client’s policy or organisation, or in its direct market environment, must be reported without delay so they can be taken into account where possible.

5. Prices and Rates

All prices are expressed in euros and exclude VAT unless explicitly stated otherwise. Van Goubergen P&M may adjust prices during the term of the agreement where cost-determining factors justify this. Adjustments based on the annual Belgian inflation index do not entitle the client to terminate the agreement.

6. Invoicing and Payment

Our standard rates are based on a payment term of 30 days from the invoice date, in accordance with the Belgian Act of 22 November 2013 amending the Act of 2 August 2002 on combating late payment in commercial transactions and European Directive 2011/7/EU. If a payment term of 60 days or 30 days end of month (EOM) is agreed in writing in advance, the total invoiced amount will be increased by 2% to compensate for the additional financing provided by us. For 90 days from the invoice date or 60 days EOM, the increase is 4%. In the absence of prior written agreement, the standard 30-day term applies.

For commercial transactions between enterprises, late or partial payment of an invoice will, by operation of law and without prior notice of default, result in contractual damages equal to 10% of the outstanding amount for administration and extrajudicial collection, together with interest at 12% per annum. This does not exclude additional reasonable recovery costs. Where mandatory consumer-protection rules apply, those rules prevail and charges will only be applied to the extent permitted by law.

Objections to an invoice do not suspend the payment obligation. In the event of late payment, Van Goubergen P&M may suspend its work or terminate the agreement with immediate effect, subject to any mandatory legal provisions.

7. Project Execution and Changes

Changes or additions requested by the client that may affect the delivery period, cost or scope of the work must be discussed in advance with Van Goubergen P&M. Van Goubergen P&M may adjust the agreed rates and delivery times accordingly. The client must confirm such changes in writing.

8. Cancellation of Agreements

Training courses organised by Van Goubergen P&M may be subject to specific conditions stated for the course concerned. Subject to those specific conditions, the following general training conditions also apply. A training course will take place only if the minimum number of registrations has been reached. A candidate’s registration is final only after the registration form has been submitted to Van Goubergen P&M and receipt has been confirmed.

For open-enrolment training courses:

  • Cancellation at least two months before the start of the training: 0% of the registration fee will be invoiced.
  • Cancellation at least one month before the start of the training: 15% of the registration fee will be invoiced.
  • Cancellation at least 15 days before the start of the training: 50% of the registration fee will be invoiced.
  • Cancellation during the final 15 days before the start of the training: the full amount will be invoiced because Van Goubergen P&M is bound by reservations and other commitments. The participant will receive the available training handouts.

A replacement participant may attend at no additional cost, provided Van Goubergen P&M is informed as soon as possible and the replacement meets any applicable admission requirements.

The registration fee for a training course that includes competence certification covers the examination fee and one re-examination. Each subsequent re-examination is charged at EUR 250 per examination.

For in-company training courses:

If the client cancels less than 30 days before the start of the assignment, 50% of the agreed fee will be charged. If the client cancels less than 14 days before the start, the full fee will be charged. Cancellation must always be made in writing.

9. Confidentiality

Van Goubergen P&M will keep confidential all confidential information obtained in connection with the assignment. This obligation continues after the assignment ends. Confidential information includes all data identified as confidential by the client or whose confidential nature is apparent from the circumstances.

10. Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property rights in our course materials and exercise cases are reserved. Any use, including partial use, requires the prior written agreement of Van Goubergen P&M.

11. Personal Data and Privacy

Van Goubergen P&M processes personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Belgian data-protection law. Information about the purposes and legal bases of processing, recipients, retention periods and data-subject rights is set out in our Privacy Statement.

12. Liability

Van Goubergen P&M is liable only for damage suffered by the client that is the direct and demonstrable result of a shortcoming attributable to Van Goubergen P&M. Liability is limited to the amount invoiced for the work that caused the damage, with a maximum of EUR 10,000. Van Goubergen P&M is not liable for indirect damage, including loss of profit, loss of savings or business interruption.

13. Force Majeure

In the event of force majeure, Van Goubergen P&M may suspend performance of the agreement without liability for compensation. Force majeure includes circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Van Goubergen P&M that temporarily or permanently prevent performance, including illness, fire, operational disruption and government measures.

14. Applicable Law and Disputes

All agreements between the client and Van Goubergen P&M are governed by Belgian law. Disputes arising out of or in connection with an agreement will be submitted exclusively to the competent court in the judicial district where Van Goubergen P&M has its registered office, subject to any mandatory rules on jurisdiction.

Lille, Belgium, 13 August 2026.