General Terms of Membership
Preamble
These General Terms of Membership (hereinafter the “GTM”), corresponding to the French “Conditions Générales d’Adhésion” (CGA), govern membership in the Société Française de Cosmétologie. This English version is provided for convenience only and is a non-official translation. In case of discrepancy or divergence, the French version (“Conditions Générales d’Adhésion de la Société Française de Cosmétologie”) shall prevail.
The Société Française de Cosmétologie (hereinafter the “SFC”), an association governed by the French law of 1 July 1901, registered with the French Register of Associations (RNA) under number W922001007, with its registered office at 210 boulevard Bineau – 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, admits members within the framework defined by its Articles of Association (Statuts) and its Internal Regulations (Règlement intérieur).
These General Terms of Membership (the “GTM”) govern the relationship between the SFC and its members, in addition to the Articles of Association and the Internal Regulations, which shall prevail in the event of any contradiction. They may be amended at any time by decision of the General Assembly, in accordance with the Articles of Association, in order to reflect the evolution of the association and any applicable legal obligations.
Membership in the SFC is formalized by checking the box “I have read and accept the General Terms of Membership,” available online during the membership process. This acceptance also constitutes acknowledgment of the Articles of Association, the Internal Regulations, the General Terms of Use of the Website, and the SFC’s Privacy Policy.
For the purposes of these GTM, the following terms shall have the meaning set out below:
- “Member”: any natural or legal person admitted as a member in accordance with the SFC’s Articles of Association;
“Website”: the SFC’s official website, accessible at https://www.sfcosmeto.fr
1. Responsibilities
The Member is solely responsible for the information, messages, or data of any kind made available through the Website.
Any decisions the Member may make based on such information shall engage the Member’s own responsibility only.
The Member shall be held liable to the SFC and to any third party for any direct or indirect damage of any nature caused by a breach of the Member’s commitments to the SFC.
Accordingly, the Member undertakes to indemnify the SFC against any claim or judgment arising from such a breach.
The SFC shall not be held liable for direct or indirect damages resulting from membership or participation in the association’s activities, except in the event of gross negligence or willful misconduct established against it.
Each Member is responsible for its own acts as well as those of any persons it authorizes to act on its behalf, and indemnifies the SFC against any claim or action brought by third parties in this respect.
2. Memberships Fees
The amount, terms for setting, and payment terms of membership fees are determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Articles of Association (Article 14) and the Internal Regulations (Article 2).
3. Membership Term
Membership is entered into for the duration of the calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December.
Loss of member status occurs under the conditions set out in Article 6 of the Articles of Association, namely in the event of resignation, non-payment of membership fees within the deadlines set by the Internal Regulations, expulsion for serious cause decided by the Board of Directors, or death.
4. Revision of Membership
The amount of the membership fee may be revised as of right each year by the Board of Directors, in accordance with the provisions of the SFC’s Articles of Association.
5. Right of Withdrawal
Membership in the Société Française de Cosmétologie constitutes membership in an association governed by the French law of 1 July 1901. In accordance with the Articles of Association and the Internal Regulations, the annual membership fee remains the property of the association and is non-refundable, even in the event of resignation, expulsion, or death of the member, except where mandatory legal provisions provide otherwise.
Where membership is entered into remotely by a natural person acting for purposes outside the scope of their professional activity (a consumer), that person benefits from a fourteen (14) day right of withdrawal from confirmation of membership, in accordance with Articles L.221-18 et seq. of the French Consumer Code. Where this right is exercised, the membership fee is refunded, less, where applicable, the amount corresponding to services already provided at the member’s express request prior to withdrawal (Article L.221-25 of the French Consumer Code).
Outside this legal case, membership is final and binding.
6. Personal Data
Personal data.
The protection of personal data is governed by the SFC’s Privacy Policy, available on the Website [link]. This Privacy Policy forms an integral part of these General Terms of Membership. Each Member has rights of access, rectification, objection, portability, restriction, and erasure under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), by writing to: rgpd@sfcosmeto.fr. The SFC implements appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and exchanges carried out in connection with membership.
Confidentiality of information.
The information, documents, and content made available to the Member are intended for the Member’s strictly personal and internal use. Any transmission, reproduction, or distribution, in whole or in part, whether free of charge or for consideration, to third parties, without the SFC’s prior written consent, is prohibited. Any breach may result, without prejudice to any legal proceedings, in the suspension or termination of membership, in accordance with the Articles of Association and the Internal Regulations.
Members’ directory.
As part of membership, the Société Française de Cosmétologie (SFC) compiles and distributes a members’ directory, in both print and digital format. This directory is intended solely to foster scientific, associative, and professional exchanges among SFC members.
Inclusion in this directory is based on the association’s legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR). The data published is limited to the member’s identity, professional contact details, and institutional affiliation, as provided at the time of membership.
The directory is accessible only to other members of the association, to the exclusion of any commercial or promotional use. No data is transferred to third parties.
Each member retains the right, for reasons relating to their particular situation, to object to the publication of their data in the directory by sending a request to: rgpd@sfcosmeto.fr. In such cases, their information will not appear in the online edition or in future editions of the printed directory.
7. Transfer of Membership
Membership may under no circumstances be transferred to a third party in any capacity whatsoever, directly or indirectly, wholly or partly, whether for consideration or free of charge.
8. Intellectual Property
Trademark and logo.
In accordance with the provisions of the French Intellectual Property Code, any unauthorized reproduction or use of the name “SFC,” its trademark, or its logo is strictly prohibited.
Content and databases.
Any representation, reproduction, distribution, extraction, or reuse, in whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without the SFC’s prior written authorization, constitutes an infringement that may give rise to the civil and criminal liability of its author.
It is strictly prohibited to use information from the SFC’s databases, directory, or online services for commercial, prospecting, or solicitation purposes.
The databases compiled by the SFC, including in particular the members’ directory, scientific publications, and event-related content, are protected under Articles L.341-1 et seq. of the French Intellectual Property Code.
Any extraction or reuse that is qualitatively or quantitatively substantial of these databases, without the SFC’s prior written authorization, is prohibited.
Any reproduction, imitation, or use, in whole or in part, of the name “SFC,” its trademarks, and logos, without authorization, engages the liability of its author.
All elements accessible on the Website (graphic design, text, images, documents, publications, databases, members’ directory, event-related content, etc.) are the exclusive property of the SFC or are used under rights granted for its benefit.
Mobile application.
Where the SFC makes a mobile application available in connection with its services (membership, events, job board, scientific content), these terms shall also apply to its use.
The User undertakes to download the application exclusively from official platforms (App Store, Google Play) and to use it strictly in accordance with these terms.
The SFC shall not be held liable for the installation or use of modified, unofficial versions, or versions downloaded from unauthorized sources, nor for any direct or indirect damages that may result therefrom.
9. Force Majeure and Impediments
An event of force majeure means any unforeseeable, irresistible event beyond the parties’ control, within the meaning of Article 1218 of the French Civil Code, rendering it impossible for either party to perform its obligations.
Such events include, in particular: natural disasters, fires, epidemics, administrative decisions, labor disputes, disruptions to electronic communication networks, or any other event beyond the SFC’s reasonable control.
Performance of obligations is suspended for the duration of the force majeure event.
10. Governing Law, Disputes, Jurisdiction
These General Terms of Membership are governed by French law. Any dispute relating to their validity, interpretation, or performance falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Paris, subject to any mandatory public-policy rules applicable, in particular in consumer matters.
