Notice of defect

Définition

A notice of defect is the buyer's formal complaint that performance is non-conforming. Under Dutch law the buyer must complain within a reasonable time after discovering, or reasonably being able to discover, the defect; failing to do so can forfeit the right to remedies. The duty rests on article 7:23 BW for sales and on the general complaint rule of article 6:89 BW for other performances.

Exemple

A buyer who discovers a hidden defect must notify the seller within a reasonable time, or risk losing the right to repair or price reduction.

Pourquoi c'est un risque pour l'entreprise

Missing the complaint deadline is one of the most common and avoidable ways to lose a valid claim. Buyers who delay reporting a defect -- even a serious one -- can find that a court holds their right to remedies forfeited. The risk is acute when defects are discovered by operational staff who do not flag them promptly to the contract manager.

Comment le gérer

• Inspect deliverables promptly on receipt and assign a named person to report any defect to the contract manager the same day it is found.
• Send the notice of defect in a durable, dated form -- email with read receipt or registered letter -- so the date of complaint is provable.
• Preserve evidence of the defect, including photographs, test logs and samples, before any repair or remediation that could destroy the proof.
• Track complaint deadlines as a contract obligation alongside payment and delivery milestones.
• In the contract, negotiate a clear, written notice requirement with a defined form and channel so the process is unambiguous for both sides.

Références juridiques

• BW 7:23 Dutch Civil Code: duty to complain (sales) Droit néerlandais
• BW 6:89 Dutch Civil Code: general duty to complain Droit néerlandais

Sauf mention contraire, les références renvoient au droit néerlandais (Burgerlijk Wetboek, le Code civil néerlandais) ; les instruments de l'UE tels que le RGPD s'appliquent dans toute l'UE. Il s'agit d'informations générales, pas de conseils juridiques. D'autres juridictions traitent ces concepts différemment. Vérifiez le texte en vigueur et votre situation avec un avocat qualifié.