Terms and Conditions of Events

Preamble

The French Society of Cosmetology (hereinafter the ‘SFC’), an association governed by the Act of 1 July 1901, registered with the RNA under number W922001007 and with its registered office at 210 Boulevard Bineau – 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, organises scientific, institutional, professional or training events, either in person or remotely, for its members and, where applicable, a wider audience.

The purpose of these regulations (hereinafter the ‘Regulations’) is to set out the conditions governing the organisation of and participation in these events, to ensure they run smoothly and safely, and to ensure compliance with the principles of neutrality, ethics, transparency and professionalism that guide the SFC’s work.

Registration for an event constitutes unconditional acceptance of the Rules through a positive action, namely ticking an online checkbox that is not pre-ticked, as well as acceptance of the website’s General Terms and Conditions of Use, the Privacy Policy (including the cookie policy) and, where applicable, any specific terms and conditions relating to the event in question.

The SFC may amend the Regulations to take account of changes in its activities or legal obligations; the updated version shall apply from the date it is published online, without prejudice to any specific notifications sent to participants where a substantial amendment is made after registration.

Definitions

For the purposes of these Regulations, the following terms shall have the meanings set out below:

‘Participant’: any natural or legal person registered for or invited to an event organised by the SFC, including, but not limited to, visitors, attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, service providers, journalists and any person authorised to access the event.
‘Event’: any scientific, institutional, professional or training event organised by the SFC, whether held in person or remotely (including in digital form, via an online platform or any equivalent means).
‘Event’: any specific event organised by the SFC on a specific date and at a specific venue, including, where applicable, its virtual versions.
‘Website’: the SFC’s official website (www.sfcosmeto.fr) and any other website or digital platform made available for registration, participation or monitoring of the Events.
‘SFC’: the Société Française de Cosmétologie, an association governed by the Act of 1 July 1901, represented by its President, with its registered office at 210 boulevard Bineau, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine.
‘Service Provider’: any natural or legal person commissioned by the SFC to provide services relating to the organisation of the Event (accommodation, ticketing, catering, technical services, logistics, security, digital platform, etc.), acting as a data processor within the meaning of the GDPR where their services involve the processing of personal data.
‘Sub-processor’: any service provider within the meaning of the GDPR (Article 28) to whom the SFC entrusts all or part of the processing of personal data in connection with the organisation of the Event.
‘Personal data’: any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, collected and processed by the SFC in connection with registration for, participation in and follow-up to the Event, in accordance with the GDPR and the French Data Protection Act.
‘Force majeure’: any unforeseeable, unavoidable and external event within the meaning of Article 1218 of the Civil Code, rendering it impossible to organise or continue the Event (natural disaster, fire, pandemic, administrative decision, general strike, terrorist threat, etc.).
‘Contractual Documentation’: the body of documents comprising these Rules, the General Terms and Conditions of Use (GTCU), the General Terms and Conditions of Membership (GTCM), SFC’s privacy and cookie policies, and any document provided by SFC to Participants in connection with the Event.

Article 1: Purpose and scope

The purpose of these regulations is to set out the general terms and conditions applicable to the organisation of, and participation in, events organised by the Société Française de Cosmétologie (hereinafter ‘SFC’), an association governed by the Act of 1 July 1901.

It applies to all participants, whether they are members or non-members of the SFC, as well as to speakers, exhibitors and partners taking part in the event.

Registration for an Event constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these rules, the General Terms and Conditions of Use of the SFC website, and the privacy and cookie policies available online.

Article 2 – Registration, payment and cancellation

2.1 Registration

Registration for an Event must be made exclusively via the SFC website or by any other means expressly stated in the Event documentation. It is only considered final once:

Confirmation by the SFC, provided in writing;
Full payment of the registration fees within the specified time limit.

2.2 Payment terms

Registration fees are payable in euros, inclusive of all taxes. The following payment methods are accepted: credit card via a secure platform, bank transfer, or any other method expressly provided for by the SFC. The corresponding invoices are issued and sent electronically, in accordance with legal and accounting requirements.

2.3 Payment security

Payment by credit card is processed by an authorised payment service provider, in accordance with applicable security standards. The SFC does not retain Participants’ bank details, which are managed by the service provider acting as a separate data controller.

2.4 Authentication and disputes

Strong authentication may be required. In the event of a payment being declined or failing, registration will be suspended or cancelled. Any bank dispute may result in suspension of access to the Event and the re-invoicing of the relevant charges.

2.5 Cancellation and withdrawal

Any cancellation notified in writing will result in a refund in accordance with the following scale:

More than 30 days before the Event: full refund, less a €50 administration fee;
Between 30 and 15 days: 50% refund;
Less than 15 days: no refund

La substitution par un autre Participant est admise sur notification préalable et acceptation par la SFC.

2.6 Right of withdrawal (online registrations)

Where a consumer, as defined in the Consumer Code, registers for an Event remotely, they are entitled to a right of withdrawal of fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of confirmation of their registration, without having to give any reason or incur any penalties.

However, in accordance with Article L.221-28 of the Consumer Code, this right may not be exercised where the Event is scheduled for a specific date or at specific intervals and the service has been fully performed before the end of the withdrawal period, or where the Participant has expressly waived this right at the time of registration.

The right of withdrawal may be exercised by sending written notice to SFC (by email to contact@sfcosmeto.fr or by registered post to the registered office).

The SFC will then refund the amounts paid within a maximum of fourteen (14) days from receipt of the request, using the same payment method as that used for registration, unless the Participant expressly agrees otherwise.

2.7 Additional costs

Any bank charges, currency exchange fees or commissions relating to the payment shall be borne exclusively by the Participant.

2.8 Refunds

Refunds approved in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations shall, where technically possible, be made via the same payment method as that used at the time of registration. The time taken for the funds to be credited back to the account is beyond the SFC’s control.

2.9 Fraud prevention

SFC and/or its payment service provider may implement security checks, whether automated or manual, designed to prevent fraud. These checks may result in a transaction being declined, a request for further information, or a delay in settlement.

2.10 Change of service provider

The SFC reserves the right to change or replace its payment service provider, without affecting the security and confidentiality guarantees. Participants will be notified of any changes by means of an update to these Rules.

The SFC may regard the following as a tacit withdrawal:

The Participant’s absence on the day the Event opens or at the first scheduled session,
Failure to pay the registration fee in full before the start of the Event,
Providing inaccurate or incomplete information during registration will result in you being unable to take part.

In such circumstances, the SFC shall be free to dispose of the place thus vacated, and the Participant shall not be entitled to any compensation or refund.

Article 3 – Access to Events and badges

3.1 Conditions of access

Access to the Events is strictly reserved for Participants who are duly registered and have paid their fees in full. Each Participant must present a personalised badge or any proof of registration issued by the SFC. These documents are personal, non-transferable and may not be lent, copied or resold.

The SFC reserves the right to verify the identity of Participants at any time by requesting the presentation of an official form of identification bearing a photograph. In the event of any discrepancy or failure to present such identification, access may be refused without compensation.

3.2 Lost or forgotten badges

In the event of loss or misplacement, the Participant must report to the Event reception desk. A replacement may be issued, subject to an administrative fee where applicable, following verification of the Participant’s identity. The SFC may deactivate any badge that has been lost or used fraudulently.

3.3 Badge-related data

The information collected for the purpose of producing and issuing badges is limited to the data strictly necessary for the identification of Participants and for access control. This data is retained only for the duration of the Event and is deleted or anonymised once the Event has ended, unless there is a legal obligation to retain it for a longer period.

3.4 Security checks

For safety and security reasons, the SFC and its service providers are authorised to carry out checks at the entrance and within the Event venue, including visual inspections of bags, checks on items and access screening. Refusal to comply with these checks will result in being barred from entering the Event, with no entitlement to a refund.

3.5 Withdrawal or deactivation of the badge

Any breach of these Regulations may result in the immediate deactivation or withdrawal of the badge, without refund or compensation, and the Participant’s exclusion from the Event.

Article 4 – Photography and filming

4.1 Authorisation for recording by the SFC

By taking part in the Event, each Participant, acting in their own name and, where applicable, in the name and on behalf of the organisation they represent, grants the SFC a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence, valid for a period of five (5) years from the date of recording and applicable worldwide, to:

Record, reproduce, present and broadcast their image, voice and remarks, in whole or in part, on any tangible or intangible media, whether known or unknown at present (print publications, audiovisual media, digital platforms, social media, websites, newsletters, reports, proceedings, educational or scientific materials);
To rebroadcast these recordings live or on a delayed basis, in particular via online streaming (webcasts, webinars, videoconferences) or by any other technical means;
To adapt these recordings for technical or editorial reasons (editing, translation, subtitling, cutting, or integration into a composite medium), provided that this does not distort the content or undermine the dignity or reputation of the Participant or the organisation represented.

4.2 Exclusions

The following are expressly excluded from this authorisation:
– any use for commercial, advertising or marketing purposes,
– any transfer to third parties outside the scientific, institutional or educational context defined by the SFC, unless the Participant (or the organisation they represent) has given their prior written consent.

4.3 Materials provided by Participants

Where a Participant provides materials (presentations, visuals, publications), these may only be reproduced to illustrate their contribution to the Event, and may not be used independently. The Participant warrants to the SFC that it holds the necessary rights to these materials.

4.4 Opposition des Participants

Participants may, on legitimate grounds, object to the use of their image or that of the organisation they represent. Such objections must be notified in writing to the Data Protection Officer (dpo@sfcosmeto.fr) no later than the start of the Event.

4.5 Recordings by Participants

It is strictly forbidden for any Participant to photograph, film, record or broadcast all or part of the Event without the prior written authorisation of the SFC. Any request must be made at least fifteen (15) days before the start of the Event. The SFC reserves the right to seize, delete or block any recording made in breach of this prohibition.

Article 5 – Protection of personal data and cookies

The French Society of Cosmetology (SFC), a non-profit organisation under the 1901 Act, represented by its President, acts as the data controller for data collected in connection with membership, use of the website www.sfcosmeto.fr, and registration for and participation in events.

Personal data is processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), the amended Law No. 78-17 of 6 January 1978, and the SFC’s Privacy Policy, which can be accessed at any time [here – link].

Every User, Member or Participant has the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict the processing of, object to and transfer their data, as well as the right to set out instructions regarding what should happen to their data after their death. These rights may be exercised by writing to: dpo@sfcosmeto.fr or to the postal address of the SFC’s registered office.

For further information on the categories of data processed, the purposes for which they are processed, their retention periods and the recipients of such data, please refer to the SFC’s Privacy Policy.

Article 6 – Responsibilities

6.1 Responsibility of the SFC

The SFC takes all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of Participants, the scientific and institutional quality of the content, and the smooth running of the Events. However, it shall not be held liable in the event of:

The occurrence of a force majeure event or circumstances beyond its control (strikes, natural disasters, administrative decisions, pandemics, travel restrictions, etc.);
Loss, theft, damage or destruction of Participants’ personal belongings, including within the Event venue;
Fraudulent, abusive or unlawful use by a third party of data uploaded or transmitted by Participants;
Indirect, immaterial or consequential damages, such as loss of opportunity, loss of profit, loss of custom, disruption to business, damage to reputation or loss of data.

La responsabilité financière de la SFC, toutes causes confondues, est expressément limitée au montant total des frais d’inscription effectivement perçus pour la participation à l’Événement The SFC’s financial liability, for any cause whatsoever, is expressly limited to the total amount of registration fees actually collected for participation in the Event in question, except in the event of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of the SFC.

6.2 Participant’s Liability

The Participant remains solely responsible for:

their conduct and any breach of applicable laws, regulations or safety rules;
any damage caused to persons, property or facilities made available by the SFC or its service providers;
for the content, materials or information that they disseminate or present during the Event, and for their compliance with third-party rights (copyright, image rights, trade marks, trade secrets, etc.);
the acts, omissions or breaches of any person they appoint or place under their responsibility (staff, contributors, service providers, subcontractors).

The Participant shall indemnify and hold SFC harmless against any claim, demand or action by a third party arising from its own acts or those of persons under its responsibility.

6.3 Exclusions from cover

The Participant expressly acknowledges that the SFC cannot guarantee:

a minimum number of registrations or visitors;
any scientific, institutional, commercial or networking outcome;
the uninterrupted continuity of the digital services used in connection with the Events (registration platforms, videoconferencing tools, online streaming, etc.).

6.4 Personal Belongings and Security

Participants’ personal belongings (bags, computers, mobile phones, miscellaneous items) remain in their care and are their sole responsibility. The SFC accepts no liability for any loss, theft, misplacement, damage or abandonment of personal belongings within the Event venue.

The SFC and its service providers are authorised to carry out security checks, including visual inspections of bags and access controls, without any claim for compensation being admissible.

Article 7 – Force majeure and cancellation by the SFC

7.1 Definition of force majeure

Force majeure, within the meaning of Article 1218 of the Civil Code, comprises any unforeseeable, unavoidable and external event that makes it impossible to organise or continue the Event. The following, in particular, are considered to be cases of force majeure: natural disasters, fires, strikes, epidemics or pandemics, administrative decisions, restrictions on movement or access, interruptions to communication networks, acts of terrorism, armed conflicts or any other event exhibiting the same characteristics.

7.2 Consequences

In the event of force majeure, the SFC reserves the right:
– to cancel the Event, in which case the registration fees collected will be refunded in full to the Participant within a maximum of sixty (60) days from the date of notification of the cancellation, and no further compensation may be claimed;

– to postpone the Event to a later date, within a maximum period of six (6) months for an annual Event or twelve (12) months for a biennial Event. The Participant’s registration will automatically be transferred to the new dates, unless the Participant expressly requests a refund within thirty (30) days of notification of the postponement;

– to cancel the Event in progress, in which case the SFC may limit the refund of registration fees on a pro rata basis for the duration not completed, less any costs directly incurred in organising the Event.

7.3 Limitation of liability

Any decision to cancel, postpone or suspend the Event shall be notified to Participants by the SFC as soon as possible, by any means deemed appropriate (email, publication on the SFC’s website, communication via the association’s official channels).

7.4 Notification

Any decision to cancel, postpone or suspend the Event will be notified to Participants by the SFC as soon as possible, by any means deemed appropriate (email, publication on the SFC’s website, or communication via the association’s official social media channels).

7.5 Ancillary costs

In the event of cancellation, postponement or interruption of the Event due to force majeure, the SFC will not reimburse any incidental expenses incurred by Participants (transport, accommodation, meals, insurance, etc.), which remain their sole responsibility.

Article 8 – Compliance and Ethics

8.1 Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Participants undertake to comply, throughout the duration of the Event, with all applicable laws, regulations and standards, both national and international, as well as with the safety rules, guidelines and protocols laid down by the SFC and its service providers.

8.2 Anti-corruption and international compliance

Each Participant warrants that their participation complies with legislation relating to the fight against corruption, influence peddling, money laundering and the financing of terrorism, and with economic and trade sanctions regimes enacted by the competent authorities (national, European and international).

8.3 Political, religious and ideological neutrality

Participants are prohibited from expressing, disseminating or promoting, within the context of the Event, any message, statement or behaviour of a political, religious or ideological nature, or which is contrary to public decency and public order.

8.4 Specific prohibitions

The following, in particular, are prohibited within the Event:

Leafleting, the distribution of leaflets, canvassing or any unauthorised advertising not permitted by the SFC;
The use, without the prior written authorisation of the SFC, of the association’s name, logo or any distinctive symbol, including for promotional purposes (‘greenwashing’ or misleading corporate communications);;
Protests, slogans, demonstrations or behaviour of a political, ideological, trade union or religious nature;
Access as a member of the press without prior accreditation and without presenting the required supporting documents (press card, letter from the editorial office, etc.).

8.5 Sanctions

The SFC reserves the right to immediately exclude, without refund or compensation, any Participant who breaches the obligations set out in this article. Such exclusion may be notified verbally on the spot and subsequently confirmed in writing, without prejudice to any legal or disciplinary proceedings that the SFC may bring against the Participant or the organisation they represent.

Article 9 – Miscellaneous Provisions

9.1 Electronic signatures and evidential value

Any electronic signature or digital document produced by the SFC in connection with the organisation of the Event shall be recognised as having the same evidential value as a document in paper form, in accordance with Articles 1366 et seq. of the Civil Code.

9.2 Severability of clauses

If any provision of these Regulations should be declared void, unlawful or unenforceable by a competent court, that provision shall be deemed not to have been included, without affecting the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions.

9.3 Entire Agreement

These Regulations, together with the Articles of Association, the Rules of Procedure, the General Terms and Conditions of Use, the General Terms and Conditions of Membership and the SFC’s Privacy and Cookie Policies, constitute the entire contractual agreement between the Parties regarding participation in the Event. They take precedence over any prior or conflicting document.

9.4 Non-waiver

The fact that the SFC does not, at any given time, rely on any of the provisions of these Regulations shall not be construed as a waiver of its right to rely on them at a later date.

9.5 Survival of Certain Provisions

The provisions relating to confidentiality, intellectual property, liability, data protection and compliance shall survive the expiry or termination of the Event.

9.6 Amendments

The SFC reserves the right to amend these Rules, including during the Event, by publishing an updated version on its website. Participants shall be deemed to have accepted such amendments if they continue to take part in the Event.

9.7 Notification of amendments

Any substantial amendment to these Rules shall be notified to Participants by email and/or by publication on the SFC’s website. The binding version is that in force on the date of the Event.

9.8 Mediation

In the event of a dispute relating to these Rules, the Participant, following a prior written attempt to resolve the matter with the SFC which has proved unsuccessful, may refer the matter free of charge to the competent mediator in accordance with the provisions of Articles L. 612-1 et seq. of the Consumer Code. The mediator’s contact details will be provided on request.

9.9 Jurisdiction

Any dispute relating to the interpretation or enforcement of these Rules which cannot be resolved amicably or through mediation shall fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the jurisdiction where the SFC has its registered office, namely the Paris Judicial Court, unless otherwise provided for by mandatory rules of jurisdiction.

9.10 Governing Law

These Event Rules are governed by French law.

In the event of a dispute relating to their validity, interpretation or enforcement, exclusive jurisdiction is conferred on the courts within the jurisdiction of the Paris Court of Appeal, unless there are mandatory rules of public policy to the contrary, in particular those applicable to consumers.