FAQ New Terms and Conditions for Purchases
On 1 June 2025 UZH introduced new General Terms and Conditions for the purchase of goods and services (referred to as “GTC UZH – Purchaser”). These replace the previous General Terms and Conditions for the purchase of goods and services dated November 2012. Below you will find some information on how to use the new GTC.
When do the new General Terms and Conditions come into effect?
In accordance with the decision of the Executive Board of the University, the new General Terms and Conditions (April 2025 edition) must be used for all procurement processes for goods and services that are initiated on or after 1 June 2025. The old General Terms and Conditions (November 2012 edition) may still be used for procurement processes that were initiated before 1 June 2025.
Where can I find the new GTC?
The new GTC are available on the Legal Services and Data Protection page of the website at the following link: General Terms and Conditions of the University of Zurich for the Purchase of Goods and Services (GTC UZH – Purchaser) (PDF, 143 KB)
Are there any new guidelines on the use of the (new) GTC?
The guidelines issued by the Executive Board of the University regarding the use of the GTC remain unchanged. They can be found in § 51 of the UZH Financial Manual (FHB-UZH). According to these provisions, the GTC must always be agreed upon when concluding procurement agreements. Deviating contractual provisions may be negotiated if this is objectively justified. Further guidelines on the conclusion of procurement agreements by UZH can be found in § 52 and § 53 FHB-UZH.
In principle, the General Terms and Conditions should be used together with the respective contract template. Have the contract templates also been revised?
Yes, the contract templates have been partially adapted to the new General Terms and Conditions. This affects the templates for purchase, service, and work and service agreement. Like the General Terms and Conditions, the updated templates are available on the Legal Services and Data Protection website under the following links:
Purchase Agreement (UZH as Purchaser) (DOCX, 70 KB)
Service Agreement (UZH as Purchaser) (DOCX, 75 KB)
Agreement for Work and Service (UZH as Customer) (DOCX, 77 KB)
For each procurement process, you must decide which contract template is the most suitable. Please read the General Terms and Conditions and the relevant contract template carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the legal service via the following link:Inquiries to Legal Services and Data Protection
Are the old terms and conditions still available?
Yes, the old terms and conditions are still available on the Legal Services and Data Protection website under the following link: General Terms and Conditions of the University of Zurich for the Purchase of Goods and Services (GTC UZH – Purchaser) (PDF, 135 KB)
Are the new terms and conditions and contract templates also available in English?
Yes, as before, these documents are also available in English on the Legal Services and Data Protection website:
Purchase Agreement (DOCX, 70 KB)
Service Agreement (UZH as Purchaser) (DOCX, 75 KB)
Agreement for Work and Service (UZH as Customer) (DOCX, 77 KB)