Terms and Conditions of the Ceres Academy

Below you will find the participation and payment conditions for events organised by our academy.

1. Scope and Provider

These General Terms and Conditions (AGB) apply to all bookings of face-to-face and online events via the CERES AKADEMIE website in the professional area.

Switzerland:
The contracting party for customers with residence or business premises in Switzerland is: Ceres Heilmittel AG, Bachtobelstrasse 6, 8593 Kesswil, Switzerland.

Germany / EU:
The contracting party for customers with residence or business premises in Germany or the EU is: Ceres Heilmittel GmbH, Schloss Türnich, 50169 Kerpen, Germany.

2. Participation Requirements

Basic, thematic and advanced seminars as well as specific online events are exclusively open to healthcare professionals and can only be booked via an active CERES professional area login.

Introductory events, both face-to-face and online, are open to all interested parties. These events can also be booked via the corresponding login.

3. Conclusion of Contract / Booking Process

Registration is carried out digitally via the CERES AKADEMIE professional area.
By completing the booking process («Order bindingly») the registration is binding.
Input errors can be corrected at any time before submitting the booking.
You will receive a provisional digital booking confirmation immediately after booking.
The definitive registration confirmation will be sent no later than 7 days before the start of the event and constitutes the binding acceptance of the contract (Switzerland: simultaneously with the invoice; Germany/EU: see point 4.2).
The contract text will not be stored permanently; customers can view booking data in the professional area.

4. Prices, Taxes and Payment Terms

4.1 Prices
The prices displayed on the website at the time of booking apply.

Taxes in general: The applicable national tax law of the country from which the booking is made applies. Prices are always shown including the legally applicable value added tax, where applicable.

Note: Tax exemptions for certain professional groups are applied provided they are permitted under local tax law and the corresponding requirements are met.

4.2 Invoicing & Payment Deadlines

Switzerland:

The invoice is sent at the same time as the definitive registration confirmation.
The invoice is payable immediately or by the payment deadline indicated on the invoice.

Germany/EU:

The participation fee is invoiced approximately 14 days before the event starts.
If a SEPA direct debit mandate has been issued, the amount will be collected about 7 days before the event starts.
For certain event formats, different deadlines may apply due to varying cancellation conditions, e.g.:
- Advanced seminars: invoicing approx. 5 weeks beforehand

These deadlines may still be adjusted by CERES before publication of the final AGB.

5. Withdrawal / Cancellation by Participants

Cancellations must be made exclusively in writing (by e-mail, letter or fax).
The decisive factor is the time the cancellation is received by CERES.
The cancellation deadlines apply in accordance with the information published on the website. These cancellation deadlines are mentioned individually in the registration confirmation, invoice and respective seminar description on the homepage.
In case of later cancellation or non-attendance, the full participation fee is due.
Unused services will not be refunded.
Illness or inability to attend do not entitle to a refund.
Naming a substitute participant is possible – provided the type of event allows it.

6. Cancellation or Changes by CERES

CERES may cancel events due to insufficient participant numbers no later than 7 days before the event starts.
In case of cancellation due to speaker illness, force majeure or other unforeseeable events, there is no entitlement to the event being held.
Already paid participation fees will be refunded.
Further claims (e.g. travel or accommodation costs, loss of earnings) are excluded.
Changes to dates, locations or speakers are reserved, provided they do not significantly alter the overall character of the event.

7. Use of Teaching and Learning Materials / Copyright

All materials are protected by copyright.
Reproduction, passing on or publication – especially via publicly accessible platforms – is prohibited.
Teaching materials are issued exclusively to participating persons.
Use is limited to personal use.

8. Photo and Video Recordings

During seminars, photo or video recordings may be made, especially in the form of a photo report.
These recordings are made available exclusively to participants via the learning environment.
Anyone who does not want to be recorded should inform the seminar management on site.
Recordings used for advertising purposes will only be used with separate, explicit consent.
DE/EU: The legal basis is Art. 6(1) lit. a or lit. f GDPR.
CH: Processing is carried out in accordance with the DSG.

9. Special Notes for Outdoor Events

Participation is at your own risk.
Insurance cover is the responsibility of the participants.
CERES is not liable – to the extent legally permissible – for accidents, damages or losses.

10. Catering and Accommodation

One- and two-day seminars include vegetarian catering (lunch & breaks).
Accommodation is not included in the participation fee and must be organised by participants themselves.
Individual days in two-day advanced seminars cannot be booked separately.

11. Liability

11.1 Switzerland

CERES is liable for damages only in cases of intent or gross negligence.
Liability for slight negligence is excluded, except for bodily injury.
This limitation of liability also applies to vicarious agents.

11.2 Germany/EU

CERES is fully liable in case of intent and gross negligence.
In case of slightly negligent breach of essential contractual obligations, liability is limited to the typical, foreseeable contractual damage.
There is no liability for slightly negligent breach of non-essential duties.
Liability for bodily injury and damage to health, product liability and fraudulent intent remains unaffected.
The liability limitations also apply to legal representatives and agents.

12. Data Protection

CERES processes personal data solely in accordance with the applicable legal provisions:

Switzerland: Federal Act on Data Protection (DSG)
Germany/EU: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Details on processing, storage periods and data subject rights can be found in the current data protection declaration on the CERES website .

13. Right of Withdrawal (Germany/EU)

Exclusion of the right of withdrawal for healthcare professionals
As events are predominantly aimed at medical healthcare professionals and are booked within the scope of professional activity, there is no right of withdrawal if the booking is made in a B2B context.

Right of withdrawal for consumers
For consumers within the meaning of § 13 BGB, the statutory right of withdrawal applies.

Note for Switzerland regarding the right of withdrawal
Under Swiss law, there is no statutory right of withdrawal. Withdrawal from the booking is therefore only possible within the cancellation conditions set out in clause 5.

14. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

Switzerland
Swiss law applies.
Place of jurisdiction is the registered office of Ceres Heilmittel AG in Kesswil.

Germany/EU
German law applies, excluding the UN Sales Convention (CISG).
Place of jurisdiction is the registered office of Ceres Heilmittel GmbH in Kerpen.
Statutory provisions on exclusive jurisdictions remain unaffected.

15. Online Dispute Resolution (EU)

The European Commission provides a platform for online dispute resolution:
https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr
CERES is generally not obliged to participate in dispute resolution procedures; participation only occurs within the legally prescribed framework.

16. Severability Clause

Should any provision of these General Terms and Conditions be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.