Terms and Conditions | ASC Consultants

Last Updated: 18 November 2025

By continuing to access or use this website, you agree to be bound to these Terms and Conditions.

Welcome to ASC Public Health and Food Safety Consultants (“ASC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). These Terms and Conditions govern your access to and use of our website and services, including virtual consultations, audits, training programmes, and document template toolkits. By using our website or any of our services, you agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions in their entirety. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please refrain from using our website and services.

ALL LEGAL PAGES:

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1. General Information

ASC provides comprehensive food safety, food safety management systems, quality assurance, and public health consulting services to help businesses achieve and maintain regulatory compliance and industry best practices. Our services include, but are not limited to:

Food safety and public health consulting
Training on Food safety, food safety related legislations and requirements, GMP, HACCP, Food Safety Management Systems and related standards, (physical, virtual and online self-paced classrooms training)
Audits and inspections (on-site and virtual)
Risk assessments and mitigation planning
Food safety management systems implementation
Certification support and guidance
Document template toolkits for food safety management systems

All services are provided subject to availability and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. ASC reserves the right to refuse service to any client for any reason, at any time.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using any part of our website and/or services, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. You affirm that you are at least 18 years old or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction, and you possess the legal authority to accept these terms on behalf of yourself or the entity you represent. If you are accepting these terms on behalf of an organisation, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organisation to these terms.

3. Use of Website

By accessing our website, you agree to use it only for lawful purposes and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. You agree not to:

Post or transmit any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable content.
Interfere with or disrupt the website, servers, or networks connected to the website.
Use any automated means, such as bots, scripts, or crawlers, to access, monitor, or copy content from the website without written permission.
Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any portion of the website or related systems.
Violate any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights.

4. Virtual Consultation Services

ASC offers virtual consultations to assist clients with food safety, public health, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance needs. We operate under a strict no-refund policy for all consultation bookings. All payments for consultations are final and non-refundable once booking confirmation has been received.

4.1 Refund Policy

Due to the nature of virtual consultation services, all consultation fees are non-refundable under any circumstances. Once you have completed payment and received booking confirmation, all sales are final. No exceptions will be made.

This applies to all virtual consultations booked through Calendly or by invoice, regardless of the reason for cancellation or non-attendance.

4.2 Client Responsibility

The client is responsible for ensuring that they are ready to proceed with the consultation before making payment. Please verify the following before booking:

The consultation date and time are convenient for your schedule.
The scope of topics aligns with your needs.
You have the necessary technology and internet connection to participate in the virtual session.
You understand the 1-hour duration and scope limitations.

4.3 Rescheduling

While refunds are not available, consultations may be rescheduled upon mutual agreement between you and ASC, subject to the following conditions:

Rescheduling requests must be submitted at least 48 hours before the scheduled consultation time.
Rescheduling is subject to consultant availability.
The rescheduled date must be within 30 days of the original booking date.
Additional fees may apply if rescheduling extends beyond the original scope or requires extra time.

4.4 Technical Requirements and Limitations

Clients are responsible for ensuring they have the necessary technology, software, and stable internet connection to participate in virtual consultations.
ASC is not liable for technical issues on the client’s side that result in poor communication, failed sessions, or service interruptions.
ASC will not be held liable for interruptions caused by third-party platforms or services used during consultations.
In the event of technical failure on ASC’s side, the consultation will be rescheduled at no additional cost.

4.5 Scope and Limitations of Service

ASC reserves the right to end a consultation at the scheduled time, regardless of whether all issues have been addressed.
Additional time or services requested during the session may be subject to additional fees.
Consultations are advisory in nature and do not constitute legal advice; clients should consult with legal professionals regarding regulatory compliance matters.
ASC will not make binding commitments on behalf of clients or third parties.

5. Document Template Toolkits

Additionally, please refer to our Document Templates Toolkit Terms and Conditions for detailed information.

5.1 Purchase and Delivery

Document toolkits can be purchased directly through our website.
Payment must be completed before access to the toolkit is granted.
Toolkits will be provided in digital format (PDF, Word, Excel, or other formats as specified).
Downloads are typically available within 48 hours upon payment confirmation.

5.2 Refund Policy

Non-refundable Purchases:

Due to the digital nature of toolkits, all sales are final once the toolkit has been downloaded.
No refunds will be issued for change of mind, dissatisfaction, or perceived value.

5.3 What You Get

A limited, non-exclusive license to use templates on a single entity or business location.
Fully customizable MS Word and Excel documents for your internal use.
Templates remain your property to edit and share within your facility.
Priority technical support and a free 1-hour virtual consultation.

5.4 What You Can Do

Install and use the toolkit at one facility or location.
Modify and customise templates to suit your business needs.
Share documents internally within your facility.
Keep and edit the templates after purchase.

5.5 What You Cannot Do

Copy or distribute the toolkit to other businesses or third parties.
Share or transfer the license to another entity without purchasing a separate license.
Resell or sublicense the templates.
Reverse-engineer or attempt to extract the underlying methodologies.

5.6 Important Limitations

Limited Warranty: ASC warrants for 7 days only that the toolkit will perform substantially as documented and that the media is free from defects under normal use. No other warranties are provided.

No Liability for Damages: ASC is not liable for indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including loss of business, profits, or data), even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Liability Cap: ASC’s total liability to you is limited to the amount you paid for the toolkit.

Disclaimer: The material is for informational and educational purposes only. ASC and its developers are not liable for inappropriate use of the information.

5.7 Disclaimer of Warranties

Limited Warranty: ASC warrants for 7 days only that the toolkit will perform substantially as documented and that the media is free from defects under normal use. No other warranties are provided.
Templates are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
ASC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, currency, or applicability of templates to specific business needs or jurisdictions.
Clients are solely responsible for ensuring that documents meet all necessary legal, regulatory, and industry-specific requirements for their situation.
Clients should have templates reviewed by legal and compliance professionals before implementation.

6. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Also, refer to our Privacy Policy

6.1 Confidentiality Obligations

ASC will maintain strict confidentiality regarding all personal and business information provided by clients.
Client information will not be disclosed to third parties without prior written consent, except as required by law or as mandated by regulatory authorities.
Confidentiality agreements bind ASC consultants and staff.

6.2 Data Protection and Privacy

All personal data collected is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.
Clients have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of their personal data, subject to legal retention requirements.
For data protection inquiries, please contact info@ascconsultants.co.za

6.3 Trade Secrets and Sensitive Information

Clients agree to protect the confidentiality of ASC’s methodologies, tools, and proprietary information
Information shared during consultations regarding client operations will be treated as confidential

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 ASC Intellectual Property

All content on the ASC website and in our services, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, software, methodologies, and document templates, is the property of ASC or its content suppliers and is protected by international copyright laws and intellectual property regulations.

7.2 Restrictions on Use

Unauthorised use, reproduction, distribution, or modification of ASC’s intellectual property is strictly prohibited.
Clients may not reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to derive the source code or underlying methodologies of ASC tools or templates.
Permitted uses are limited to those explicitly granted in these terms or in a signed service agreement.

7.3 Client Intellectual Property

Clients retain ownership of their own intellectual property, including business processes, data, and documentation.
By providing information to ASC, clients grant ASC a limited license to use such information solely for the purpose of providing consulting services.

8. Limitation of Liability

Also, refer to our Disclaimers Page

8.1 Disclaimer of Accuracy

While ASC makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and quality of the information provided on its website, in consulting services, and in document templates, ASC does not guarantee that the information is free from errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.

8.2 Limitation of Damages

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ASC will not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from:

Use of or inability to use our services, website, or document templates.
Loss of profits, business interruption, or loss of data.
Reliance on information provided in consultations or templates.
Third-party claims or actions.
Any other matter related to ASC services.

This limitation applies even if ASC has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

8.3 Liability Cap

ASC’s total liability to any client for any claim arising out of or related to these terms or ASC services shall not exceed the total amount paid by the client to ASC in the 12 months preceding the claim.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ASC and its directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents, and service providers from any third-party claims, liability, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

Your use of ASC services, website, or document templates.
Your violation of these terms and conditions.
Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations.
Your infringement of third-party intellectual property rights.
Any content or information you provide to ASC.

10. Professional Liability and Insurance

ASC maintains professional liability insurance to cover errors and omissions in consulting services.
Insurance coverage is subject to policy limits and exclusions.
Clients are encouraged to maintain their own insurance coverage for business operations and compliance matters.
ASC’s insurance does not cover losses arising from client non-compliance with recommendations or failure to implement suggested changes.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

11.1 Governing Law

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

11.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these terms and conditions will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in South Africa.

11.3 Dispute Resolution Process

Before initiating legal proceedings, parties agree to attempt to resolve disputes through:

Good Faith Negotiation: Direct communication between the parties for 14 days.
Mediation: If negotiation fails, parties may pursue mediation with a mutually agreed mediator.
Arbitration or Litigation: If mediation is unsuccessful, disputes may be resolved through arbitration or court proceedings as permitted by law.

12. Modifications to Terms and Conditions

ASC reserves the right to update, modify, or amend these terms and conditions at any time. Changes will be posted on this page, accompanied by an updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of ASC services after such changes have been made will constitute your acceptance of the revised terms. For significant changes, ASC will attempt to notify clients via email.

13. Severability

Suppose any provision of these terms and conditions is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction. In that case, that provision will be severed, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

14. Entire Agreement

These terms and conditions, together with any signed service agreements or contracts, constitute the entire agreement between you and ASC regarding your use of our services and website. These terms and conditions supersede any prior agreements, understandings, or negotiations.

15. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or inquiries regarding these terms and conditions, please contact:

Company Name: ASC Public Health and Food Safety Consultants | Email: info@ascconsultants.co.za | Phone: +27 41 004 0382 | Website: ascconsultants.co.za | Address: 1st Floor, Westway Centre, 349 Cape Road, Newton Park, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa, 6055