Terms and Conditions

1. Scope of application

These terms and conditions of Scapedesign BV (VAT BE 0718 796 229, Jufferstraat 13, 3806 Velm, Belgium; gilles@planted-box.com) apply in full and without exception to all its offers, orders, invoices and contractual relationships, regardless of their designation. The customer formally acknowledges having read these terms and conditions and accepts them without reservation.

The processing of personal data is governed by the separate privacy policy of Scapedesign BV, available at planted-box.com/en/privacy-policy. By placing an order, the customer confirms having read that policy.

2. Placing and acceptance of orders

2.1  All offers by Scapedesign BV are non-binding and without any commitment on its part.

2.2  All orders placed via the website are immediately payable via the electronic payment methods listed on the website. If the customer opts to pay by bank transfer, the order will only be dispatched once the full amount has been received in Scapedesign BV’s account. If the full amount is not received within 15 days, the order will be cancelled. If Scapedesign BV offers a buy-now-pay-later option in the future, this will be provided through a licensed payment service provider under that provider’s terms. The purchase agreement with Scapedesign BV remains unchanged regardless of the payment method chosen.

2.3  Scapedesign BV’s products are sold subject to availability. In the event of stock depletion, the customer will be notified in writing.

3. Right of withdrawal for consumers

3.1  The consumer (non-trader) has the right to withdraw from the purchase without penalty and without stating any reason, within 14 calendar days from the day following delivery of the product.

3.2  The consumer must notify Scapedesign BV in writing of their decision to withdraw before the 14-calendar-day withdrawal period expires, either by submitting a completed withdrawal form or by sending an email to gilles@planted-box.com.

3.3  During the cooling-off period, the consumer shall handle the product and its packaging with care. The consumer shall only unpack or use the product to the extent necessary to assess whether they wish to keep it. If the consumer exercises their right of withdrawal, they shall return the product with all accessories supplied and, where reasonably possible, in its original condition, in accordance with the instructions provided by Scapedesign BV.

3.4  The burden of proof for the exercise of the right of withdrawal lies with the consumer.

3.5  After notifying their withdrawal, the consumer must return the product within 14 days, with proof of dispatch.

3.6  If the customer fails to notify their withdrawal within the period referred to in art. 3.1 or to return the product within the period referred to in art. 3.5, the sale is final.

3.7  If the consumer correctly exercises their right of withdrawal and returns the goods undamaged, Scapedesign BV will refund the full purchase amount including standard delivery costs within 14 days of receiving the returned goods or proof of return, whichever comes first. The cost of returning the goods is borne by the consumer.

3.8  Scapedesign BV reserves the right to defer the refund until it has received the returned goods or until the consumer has provided conclusive proof of complete return.

3.9  Scapedesign BV reserves the right to reduce the refund proportionally to reflect any diminution in value of the product resulting from handling beyond what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the product. See art. 20 for the definition of acceptable handling per product category.

3.10  Withdrawal or cancellation is not possible for:

• sealed goods that cannot be returned for reasons of health protection or hygiene where the seal has been broken after delivery (e.g. fertilisers, chemicals);
• products that are made to order or clearly personalised;
• products that have been damaged by the consumer or rendered unusable;
• digital content not supplied on a tangible medium, once performance has begun with the consumer’s explicit prior consent (see also art. 18).

3.11  Withdrawal or cancellation is not possible for purchases made by traders or businesses.

3.12  For complaints that cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, the consumer may contact the Consumer Ombudsman Service (consumentenombudsdienst.be), which provides free mediation. For cross-border disputes within the EU, the consumer may also contact the European Consumer Centre (cecbelgique.be) for referral to the competent national body. The European ODR platform (ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr) was closed on 20 July 2025.

4. Deliveries, timescales, risk and returns

4.1  Delivery timescales are purely indicative. Where no delivery timescale has been agreed, Scapedesign BV will deliver within 30 calendar days at the latest. If Scapedesign BV fails to deliver on time due to its own fault, the consumer has the right to terminate the agreement in accordance with the Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU) and the applicable consumer protection legislation.

4.2  All shipping costs are borne by the customer, unless the order value reaches the free shipping threshold as indicated on the website at the time of ordering (currently EUR 65.00; may vary by destination). Risk passes when the goods leave Scapedesign BV’s warehouse. For deliveries to consumers, risk passes when the consumer takes possession of the order.

4.3  Partial return of sets and bundles. Products that are part of a set or bundle are priced as a whole. The price of an individual component within a set does not correspond to the standalone retail price of that component. In the event of partial withdrawal or return of a set, the consumer is only entitled to a refund of the proportionate value of the returned component within the set price, not the standalone retail price. Scapedesign BV communicates the composition and value allocation of sets transparently on the product page.

4.4  Packaging for returns. The consumer is responsible for adequate and protective packaging of goods to be returned. The consumer is not required to use the original packaging, but must provide sufficient protection for transport. Scapedesign BV is not liable for damage occurring during return transport resulting from insufficient packaging. Such damage may be deducted from the refund in accordance with art. 3.9.

4.5  Non-collection at a service point. If the consumer fails to collect a parcel at a service point or collection point within the period indicated by the carrier (typically 10 to 14 calendar days) and the parcel is returned to Scapedesign BV, Scapedesign BV is not obliged to resend the parcel without charging new shipping costs. Scapedesign BV will contact the consumer to agree on a solution. If the consumer does not respond within 14 calendar days of Scapedesign BV’s contact attempt, the parcel is treated as a refused return. In that case, Scapedesign BV will refund the product amount less the return costs charged by the carrier, in accordance with the standard return procedure. Original shipping costs will not be refunded.

4.6  Returns without identification or form. Scapedesign BV asks the customer to complete a return form for every return, as described on the returns page of the website. Returns received without an identifiable sender (e.g. because carrier labels have covered the sender’s address) and without a completed return form cannot be processed until the sender has identified themselves and provided the necessary information. The statutory refund period in such cases begins only from the moment Scapedesign BV has identified the sender and can link the return to the original order. Scapedesign BV is not liable for delays in refund resulting from an insufficiently identified return.

5. Warranty

5.1  All purchases of goods by a consumer (private individual) are covered by a two-year statutory conformity warranty in accordance with Directive 2019/771 and applicable consumer protection legislation. Opening the packaging does not exclude the warranty for manufacturing defects.

5.2  For CO2 pressure regulators, the following commercial warranties apply in addition to the two-year statutory conformity warranty (art. 5.1):

• Standard CO2 pressure regulator: 3-year commercial warranty on the regulator as a whole, excluding the solenoid valve, bubble counter and other consumable accessories.
• Pro Dual Stage pressure regulator: 10-year commercial warranty on the mechanical component of the regulator, excluding the solenoid valve, bubble counter, tubing and other consumable accessories.

These commercial warranties supplement the statutory warranty and do not replace it. For French consumers, these warranties are confirmed in writing in accordance with art. L. 217-21 Code de la consommation, stating the duration, coverage, territorial scope and contact details of the warrantor (Scapedesign BV, gilles@planted-box.com).

5.3  The warranty lapses in the following cases:

• the damage is due to normal wear and tear or misuse by the customer;
• the customer has opened, modified or had the product repaired without prior written authorisation from Scapedesign BV;
• the customer has failed to notify Scapedesign BV of the defect within the timeframes set out in art. 7.

5.4  Unauthorised repairs. Any repair, modification or disassembly of a product by the customer without prior written consent from Scapedesign BV will void the warranty for that product and for any consequential damage. Scapedesign BV will always request photographic evidence before taking any further steps. Damage resulting directly from an unauthorised intervention by the customer is entirely the customer’s responsibility.

5.5  In the event of a valid warranty claim, Scapedesign BV has the right to choose between repairing the defective component or replacing the product. Repair or replacement will be carried out within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to the consumer. If a repair fails after a first attempt or takes more than 30 calendar days, the consumer has the right to opt for replacement or, if replacement is also not possible, for a price reduction or termination of the agreement.

Scapedesign BV may, in consultation with the consumer and with their explicit consent, choose to send a replacement part with repair instructions, provided the repair is straightforward and can be carried out without any specialist technical knowledge.

6. Force majeure

6.1  Scapedesign BV is not obliged to fulfil any contractual obligation if prevented from doing so by force majeure in the broadest sense, including but not limited to: strikes, blockades, energy shortages, transport restrictions, weather conditions, natural disasters, war or threat of war, failure of suppliers to fulfil their obligations, disruptions to digital platforms or payment systems, and cyberattacks.

6.2  Once force majeure arises, Scapedesign BV is unilaterally entitled to extend the agreed timescales to a reasonable degree in relation to the force majeure event. The customer has no right to terminate the agreement in the event of force majeure for as long as the situation persists.

7. Complaints

7.1  The customer must inspect goods immediately upon receipt. Complaints regarding deliveries must reach Scapedesign BV in writing within 24 hours of receipt of the delivery, with a detailed description of the defects. A complaint does not give rise to any suspension or deferral of payment.

7.2  Complaints regarding invoicing must be submitted within 8 days of receipt of the order, by registered letter or email.

7.3  Scapedesign BV reserves the right to request photographic evidence for any complaint about a (presumed) defective product before committing to any remedy. The customer is required to cooperate with this investigation. If the product has been discarded, destroyed or otherwise made unavailable for inspection or return at Scapedesign BV’s request, the warranty claim cannot be processed. It is the customer’s responsibility to retain the product until a warranty claim has been fully resolved.

8. Liability

8.1  Scapedesign BV is not liable for visible defects not reported in writing within 24 hours of receipt. Visible defects reported after the product has been put into use cannot give rise to Scapedesign BV’s liability.

8.2  Hidden defects must be reported within 15 days of receipt of the delivery by registered letter or email, with a complete description of the defects.

8.3  Limitation of liability. Where Scapedesign BV’s liability is established, it is always limited to a maximum of the amount of the invoice for the relevant delivery. Scapedesign BV is not liable for indirect damage, consequential damage, loss of profit, damage to living organisms or plants, or biological damage in an aquarium resulting from the use of Scapedesign BV’s products, unless it is proven that such damage is directly attributable to gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of Scapedesign BV.

8.4  Scapedesign BV does not exclude its liability for gross negligence or wilful misconduct by itself, its agents or its personnel. Liability for minor negligence is limited in accordance with art. 8.3.

8.5  Use of reputational harm as leverage. If a customer threatens Scapedesign BV with negative reviews, social media posts or other reputational damage as a means of obtaining compensation, a refund or any other benefit to which they are not legally entitled, Scapedesign BV reserves the right to take legal action under the relevant provisions of Belgian law. This article does not affect the right of consumers to publish an honest and genuine review of their purchasing experience.

9. Retention of title

Goods that have not been paid for or have only been partially paid for remain the property of Scapedesign BV at all times until full payment of the sale price plus interest and costs has been made. In the event of non-payment, Scapedesign BV is entitled, without further notice and entirely at the customer’s expense, to reclaim its goods.

10. Resale and confidentiality of commercial information

10.1  Products purchased by the customer may not under any circumstances be offered for sale to third parties under a name other than Scapedesign BV’s original brand name, or in packaging other than Scapedesign BV’s original packaging (repackaging, sale in smaller quantities, etc.). In the event of non-compliance, Scapedesign BV is entitled, without prejudice to its right to compensation, to immediately suspend its delivery obligation.

10.2  All price lists, margin structures, purchasing terms and other commercial information shared by Scapedesign BV with (potential) distributors is strictly confidential. This information may not be shared with third parties, competitors or other parties, including after the end of the collaboration. This confidentiality obligation applies from the moment the information is shared, including prior to the formal conclusion of a distribution agreement.

10.3  A distributor may not purchase Scapedesign BV’s products solely as a loss leader with the aim of directing customers to a competitor or their own products. Scapedesign BV reserves the right to terminate a distribution agreement if such behaviour is established.

11. Termination

Scapedesign BV may, without notice of default and without judicial intervention, terminate its obligations in whole or in part with immediate effect by written notification if the customer files for or is declared bankrupt or subject to judicial reorganisation, or in the event of attachment or payment difficulties. Scapedesign BV will never be liable for any compensation to the customer as a result of such termination.

12. Confidentiality

Unless prior written consent has been given, the customer is obliged not to use or disclose to third parties any information obtained directly or indirectly in connection with the assignment or collaboration in the broadest sense (manufacturing methods, formulations, purchase prices, margins, customer lists, etc.). This obligation also applies after the end of the contractual relationship, without time limit, for as long as the information has not been made publicly available by Scapedesign BV itself.

13. Payment terms

Scapedesign BV’s invoices are payable in cash and without discount at its registered office, no later than the due date, being 30 days from the invoice date, unless a different payment term is stated on the invoice.

14. Late payment, costs and penalties

Any amount not paid by the due date will automatically, by operation of law and without prior notice of default, be increased by a default interest rate of 10% per year from the due date. In addition, any invoice unpaid at the due date will automatically be increased by 10%, with a minimum of EUR 100.00, as a fixed and irreducible penalty. In the event of non-payment, Scapedesign BV reserves the right to cancel or hold outstanding orders until the invoice has been paid.

15. Severability

The potential invalidity of any clause of these terms and conditions does not affect the validity of the remaining clauses.

16. Jurisdiction and applicable law

16.1  Belgian law always applies to all agreements with Scapedesign BV.

16.2  For disputes with traders or businesses, the courts of the judicial district of Antwerp have exclusive jurisdiction, at Scapedesign BV’s discretion.

16.3  For disputes with consumers, in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 (Brussels I bis), the consumer may also bring proceedings before the competent court of their place of residence. Scapedesign BV retains the right to bring a claim before the competent court of the district of Antwerp.

17. Prices and VAT

17.1  All prices stated on Scapedesign BV’s website are expressed in euros and include the applicable VAT for consumers (B2C). For business customers (B2B), prices are stated excluding VAT on the invoice.

17.2  Scapedesign BV reserves the right to change prices. The price at the time of ordering is binding.

18. Digital products

18.1  For digital content not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. e-books, digital guides), the right of withdrawal expires once performance has begun, provided the consumer has explicitly consented in advance and acknowledged forfeiting their right of withdrawal as a result.

18.2  When purchasing digital products from Scapedesign BV, the consumer is explicitly asked to confirm this consent before the download or access is granted.

18.3  All digital content offered by Scapedesign BV (e-books, guides, diagnostic tools, newsletters and other content) is protected by copyright in accordance with the Belgian Copyright Act of 30 June 1994 and applicable European directives. It is prohibited to copy, distribute, publish, sell or share such content, in whole or in part, without the explicit written consent of Scapedesign BV. Personal use by the customer is permitted. In the event of infringement, Scapedesign BV reserves the right to claim damages.

19. Product descriptions and images

Product descriptions, images and technical specifications on the website are provided for informational purposes and are compiled as accurately as possible. Scapedesign BV reserves the right to make minor changes to packaging, colour or product composition without this being considered a non-conformity, provided such changes do not affect the essential characteristics and functioning of the product.

20. Signs of use and assessment by product category

When assessing diminution in value pursuant to art. 3.9, Scapedesign BV applies the following standards per product category:

20.1  Liquid fertilisers and chemicals. Once the packaging or seal has been opened, the product is considered to have been put into use. Return is no longer possible (see art. 3.10). The warranty for manufacturing defects remains applicable in accordance with art. 5.1.

20.2  CO2 pressure regulators and mechanical components. Connection to a CO2 cylinder, aquarium or filter constitutes use. Cosmetic signs of use (scratches, wear) will not be accepted upon return. The consumer is not required to use the original packaging, but must provide adequate protection for transport. Products arriving damaged due to insufficient packaging may be subject to a proportional deduction in accordance with art. 3.9.

20.3  Aquascaping tools (scissors, tweezers). Returns are only accepted if the tools are unused and undamaged. Products with visible signs of use (worn coating, damaged tip, etc.) will not be accepted for a full refund.

20.4  Substrate fertiliser (tabs, capsules). Once the packaging has been opened or a tab removed from the packaging, the product is considered to have been used and return is no longer possible.

21. Sales to Germany

Where Scapedesign BV actively sells products to consumers or businesses established in Germany, the following additional obligations apply:

21.1  Verpackungsgesetz (LUCID). Scapedesign BV is registered in the LUCID packaging register in accordance with the German Verpackungsgesetz, to the extent it places packaging on the German market.

21.2  Elektro- und Elektronikgerätegesetz (ElektroG). To the extent Scapedesign BV sells electrical or electronic products (e.g. CO2 pressure regulators with solenoid valve) in Germany, it is registered in the EAR register (Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register).

21.3  Right of withdrawal in Germany (Widerrufsrecht). For German consumers, Scapedesign BV uses the legally prescribed model notice (Widerrufsbelehrung) in accordance with § 356 BGB and the Fernabsatz-Widerrufsformular-Verordnung. The withdrawal period for German consumers is 14 days.

21.4  AGB compliance. General terms and conditions for business relationships with German companies are, where separately developed, drafted in accordance with the requirements of §§ 305-310 BGB (AGB-Recht). Deviating or unreasonably burdensome clauses do not apply to transactions governed by German law.

22. Sales to France

Where Scapedesign BV actively sells products to consumers or businesses established in France, the following additional obligations apply:

22.1  Médiateur de la consommation. In accordance with the Loi Hamon (2014) and Ordonnance No. 2015-1033, Scapedesign BV designates an approved consumer mediator for French customers. The mediator’s contact details are stated on planted-box.com/fr/ and in the French order confirmation. In the event of an unresolved dispute, the consumer may contact this mediator free of charge after having first attempted to resolve the matter directly with Scapedesign BV in writing.

22.2  Language requirement. The French version of these terms and conditions constitutes the legally binding version for transactions with French customers. In the event of any discrepancy between the Dutch and French versions, the French version prevails for French customers.

22.3  Statutory conformity warranty. For French customers, the statutory conformity warranty applies in accordance with articles L. 217-4 et seq. of the Code de la consommation, and the warranty against hidden defects in accordance with articles 1641 et seq. of the Code civil. The warranty period is two years from delivery. During the first two years following delivery, a defect is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, unless this is incompatible with the nature of the goods.

22.4  Right of withdrawal. For French customers, the right of withdrawal is 14 calendar days in accordance with articles L. 221-18 et seq. of the Code de la consommation. The exceptions to the right of withdrawal listed in art. 3.10 also apply to French customers, in accordance with art. L. 221-28 of the Code de la consommation.

22.5  Pre-contractual information. In accordance with art. L. 111-1 of the Code de la consommation, Scapedesign BV makes the following information available before ordering: essential product characteristics, total price including VAT and any delivery costs, identity and contact details of the seller, payment and delivery terms, the right of withdrawal and applicable warranties.