# Notice of defect

Source: https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/reclamation

# Notice of defect

A buyer's timely complaint that delivered goods or services are non-conforming or defective.

## 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.

### Comment Contracko aide

Contracko surfaces complaint deadlines extracted from contracts and can alert you when a defect-notification window is approaching. Storing communications and notices alongside the contract creates a dated record that a complaint was sent in time, which is exactly the evidence you need if the right to remedies is later disputed.

## Références juridiques

- [BW 7:23 Dutch Civil Code: duty to complain (sales) Droit néerlandais](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005290)
- [BW 6:89 Dutch Civil Code: general duty to complain Droit néerlandais](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005289)

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.

## Pertinent pour

[Industrie manufacturière](https://contracko.com/fr/secteurs/fabrication)[Logistique et distribution](https://contracko.com/fr/secteurs/logistique)[Détail et gros](https://contracko.com/fr/secteurs/commerce-detail-gros)

## Clauses associées

- [Warranties Clause](https://contracko.com/fr/bibliotheque-de-clauses/garanties)

## Termes associés

- [Notification of defects clause](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/clause-de-notification-des-defauts)
- [Warranty period](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/periode-de-garantie)
- [Warranty](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/garantie)
- [Breach of contract](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/rupture-de-contrat)

### Ne manquez plus jamais une échéance de contrat

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- Les risques et obligations sont mis en évidence automatiquement
- Les rappels vous aident à agir avant que les dates ne filent

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Conforme au RGPD. Chiffré. Jamais utilisé pour l'entraînement de l'IA.

## Foire aux questions

Questions courantes sur ce terme.

- **Q:** What is a "reasonable time" to complain under Dutch law?
  **A:** There is no fixed rule. Courts weigh the nature of the defect, the parties' expertise and the effort needed to discover the defect. For visible defects this is typically within days; for hidden defects the clock runs from the moment a reasonable buyer would have investigated and identified the issue.

- **Q:** Does a notice of defect automatically give me the right to withhold payment?
  **A:** Not automatically. A valid complaint preserves your remedies, but the right to suspend payment (opschortingsrecht) is a separate step that requires proportionality and good faith. Check the contract for any payment-withholding provisions.

- **Q:** Can a seller contractually shorten the time to complain?
  **A:** Yes, within limits. In B2B contracts shorter periods are generally enforceable. However, a period so short that it gives the buyer no realistic chance to inspect may be set aside as unreasonably onerous, particularly in general terms and conditions.

- **Q:** What form must the notice take?
  **A:** The law requires no specific form, but the contract often does. Absent a contractual requirement, any clear, durable communication (email, letter) identifying the defect and making clear the buyer is complaining is sufficient.

- **Q:** Can I complain about a defect after the warranty period has expired?
  **A:** Not under the warranty, but you may still have statutory rights under general conformity rules depending on when the defect was discoverable. The statutory limitation period (usually five years for breach claims) runs separately from the contractual warranty period.

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