Vendor Agreement Template for Switzerland

A Vendor Agreement sets the rules when your business buys goods or services from a supplier in Switzerland. It spells out key details like prices, delivery times, quality standards, and what happens if something goes wrong. Under Swiss Code of Obligations, these contracts help protect both parties by making their rights and duties crystal clear.

Good vendor agreements include payment terms, confidentiality rules, and liability limits that follow Swiss commercial law. They're especially important for ongoing business relationships, where you need reliable supply chains and clear problem-solving procedures. Swiss companies often use these agreements to manage everything from IT services to raw materials procurement.

Use a Vendor Agreement any time you're starting a significant business relationship with a supplier in Switzerland. This includes ordering raw materials, hiring service providers, or setting up ongoing deliveries. The agreement becomes especially vital when dealing with high-value purchases, custom-made products, or services critical to your operations.

Swiss law requires clear documentation of commercial relationships, making these agreements essential for transactions above CHF 10,000. They're particularly important when handling sensitive data, working with international suppliers, or when specific industry regulations apply. Having this agreement in place before starting the business relationship helps prevent disputes and ensures smooth operations.

• Vendor Contract Agreement: Standard master agreement covering basic terms, deliverables, and payment schedules - ideal for most business relationships
• Exclusive Vendor Agreement: Ensures supplier works only with your company in specific markets or product lines
• Vendor Finance Agreement: Structures payment terms, credit arrangements, and financial obligations for large purchases
• Vendor Confidentiality Agreement: Protects sensitive information shared during business dealings
• Exclusive Supplier Agreement: Guarantees exclusive rights to distribute or resell specific products in Swiss markets

• Purchasing Companies: Swiss businesses buying goods or services, from small firms to large corporations, who need to establish clear terms with their suppliers
• Vendors/Suppliers: Companies or individuals providing products or services, often reviewing and negotiating agreement terms to protect their interests
• Legal Counsel: In-house or external lawyers who draft, review, and customize Vendor Agreements to ensure Swiss law compliance
• Procurement Officers: Company representatives who manage supplier relationships and oversee agreement implementation
• Compliance Managers: Professionals ensuring agreements meet industry regulations and internal governance requirements

• Basic Details: Gather both parties' full legal names, addresses, and registration numbers from Swiss commercial registers
• Service Scope: Define exact products/services, quantities, quality standards, and delivery schedules
• Financial Terms: Document pricing, payment schedules, currencies, and any volume discounts
• Legal Requirements: Check industry-specific regulations and data protection needs under Swiss law
• Risk Management: List liability limits, warranty terms, and dispute resolution preferences
• Review Process: Our platform generates customized agreements that include all required elements, ensuring legal compliance while saving time

• Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and commercial registry numbers of both vendor and purchaser
• Contract Object: Clear description of goods/services, specifications, quantities, and quality standards
• Payment Terms: Prices, payment schedules, currencies, and late payment consequences under Swiss law
• Delivery Terms: Timelines, locations, and Incoterms for physical goods
• Liability Clauses: Warranty scope, damage limitations, and force majeure provisions
• Data Protection: GDPR and Swiss data protection law compliance measures
• Dispute Resolution: Choice of Swiss law, jurisdiction, and arbitration options
• Termination Rights: Conditions for ending the agreement and post-termination obligations

A Vendor Agreement differs significantly from a Contract Manufacturing Agreement in several key ways. While both involve business relationships, their scope and purposes serve distinct needs under Swiss law.

• Scope of Services: Vendor Agreements cover general supply of existing products or services, while Contract Manufacturing Agreements specifically involve custom production to buyer specifications
• Quality Control: Contract Manufacturing Agreements include detailed manufacturing processes, quality standards, and inspection rights; Vendor Agreements typically have simpler quality requirements
• Intellectual Property: Contract Manufacturing often involves proprietary designs and manufacturing processes, requiring extensive IP protection; Vendor Agreements usually deal with standard products and minimal IP concerns
• Duration and Commitment: Contract Manufacturing typically involves longer-term partnerships with minimum volume commitments; Vendor Agreements can be more flexible and short-term
• Liability Structure: Contract Manufacturing carries higher liability risks for defects in custom production, while Vendor Agreements have more standardized warranty terms