Terms of Use

1. Platform Role and Facilitator Status

materiq operates as a UK-only B2B facilitator platform. materiq is not a seller of record, merchant, agent, or contracting party for any physical goods transacted between users. materiq facilitates introductions, sourcing workflows, and structured procurement processes between approved UK food businesses. All contracts for the sale of physical goods are entered into directly between the buyer and supplier. materiq has no liability for the quality, legality, fitness, safety, storage, transport, or suitability of any materials listed, offered, or transacted through the platform.

2. Eligibility and Approval

Access to materiq is restricted to UK-registered food businesses. All companies must complete a registration process and be manually approved by materiq before they can fully use the platform. materiq reserves the right to reject, suspend, or revoke access at any time and for any reason. Approval does not constitute endorsement of any company, product, or service.

3. Seller Declarations and Responsibilities

By listing materials on materiq VeriStock, sellers declare that: (a) the materials are genuine, in original unopened packaging, and in good order; (b) the materials are legally held and available for sale; (c) all information provided is accurate and complete; (d) the seller holds appropriate food safety certifications; (e) the seller is responsible for the quality, legality, and suitability of the materials; (f) the seller will comply with all applicable UK food safety and trading standards legislation.

4. Buyer Responsibilities

Buyers are responsible for: (a) conducting their own due diligence on any materials or suppliers; (b) verifying product suitability, quality, and legality before purchase; (c) ensuring compliance with their own food safety management systems; (d) negotiating and concluding contracts directly with suppliers; (e) arranging collection, delivery, and acceptance of materials.

5. UK-Only B2B Facilitator

materiq is designed exclusively for UK business-to-business transactions. The platform is not available to consumers. All users must be UK-registered businesses. materiq does not facilitate international trade. The platform operates as a facilitator only — it does not take ownership of, store, transport, or handle any physical goods.

6. Platform Fees

materiq charges platform fees for sourcing services: £200 per surplus listing, £100 per urgent request, and £240 per tender. These fees are for platform services only and do not include any payment for physical goods. Fees are non-refundable once the service has been provided. All fees are subject to VAT where applicable.

7. Payment Processing

All platform fee payments are processed by Stripe Payments Europe, Ltd. (“Stripe”), a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. By using materiq and making a payment, you agree to Stripe's Services Agreement and Privacy Policy.

materiq does not store, process, or have access to your full card details. All card data is handled directly by Stripe in accordance with PCI DSS standards. Payment card information is transmitted directly from your browser to Stripe's servers using TLS encryption and is never passed through materiq's servers.

materiq receives only a confirmation of payment status (succeeded, failed, or pending), a truncated card reference (last four digits and card brand), and a transaction identifier from Stripe. This information is stored in our billing records for accounting and dispute resolution purposes.

Refunds, chargebacks, and payment disputes are handled in accordance with Stripe's policies and applicable card network rules. If you believe a payment has been made in error, contact us at support@materiq.io.

8. Data Protection

materiq processes personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. See our Privacy Policy for full details. Company and user data is stored securely and is not shared with third parties except as necessary to provide the platform services.

9. Limitation of Liability

materiq's liability is limited to the platform fees paid. materiq is not liable for any loss, damage, or claim arising from transactions between users, the quality or suitability of materials, or any failure by users to comply with their obligations. Users indemnify materiq against all claims arising from their use of the platform.

10. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.