The PPMA has issued reference terms and conditions of sale to help guide suppliers of packaging machinery establish a reasonable negotiating basis with their customers.

The move follows international concern in the machinery industry over increasingly unreasonable terms and conditions of purchase imposed by some customers.

“We have come up with a clear and succinct set of documents which we consider reasonable for both buyer and seller,” says general secretary Andrew Manly.

&#8220Sign the wrong agreement and you could be putting your own company at risk”

Andrew Manly

“The PPMA has noticed an increasing trend in large customers asking for the specification and purchase negotiations to become separated so that two different conversations takes place.

“Of course we accept that customers, both big and small, want to protect their commercial interests but consequential loss and liquidated damages are highly contentious and need to be properly understood. Sign the wrong agreement and you could be putting your own company at risk.”