# GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ## Rule Step B.V. [besloten vennootschap; private limited liability company] --- **Version:** 1.0 **Date of entry into force:** 30 September 2026 These General Terms and Conditions are service-agnostic and apply to every agreement between Rule Step B.V. and its customers. Rules that relate exclusively to one specific service line (consulting or online services) are included in the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions (Aanvullende Voorwaarden). --- ## Article 1 — Definitions, Applicability and Hierarchy **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:231, 6:231a, 6:231d BW (Dutch Civil Code) (general terms and conditions); Book 6 Section 3 BW (Dutch Civil Code) (6:231 et seq.). ### 1.1 Definitions In these General Terms and Conditions and the agreements based thereon, the following definitions apply: a. **Rule Step**: the besloten vennootschap [private limited liability company] Rule Step B.V., with its statutory seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, registered with the Kamer van Koophandel [Dutch Chamber of Commerce] (KvK) under number 42042967, RSIN 869445200, managed by Mr. J.J. van Grondelle, director, solely/independently authorized (alleen/zelfstandig bevoegd), also Functionaris voor Gegevensbescherming (FG/DPO) [Data Protection Officer], Privacy Officer and Information Security Officer; b. **Customer**: the natural person or legal entity that enters into an agreement with Rule Step, or accepts an offer from Rule Step; c. **Consumer**: the Customer who acts as a natural person, not in the exercise of a profession or business (B2C); d. **Business Customer**: the Customer who acts in the exercise of a profession or business (B2B); e. **Services**: the services offered by Rule Step, namely on the one hand consulting and advisory services (ICT advice, EU sovereignty/infrastructure advice, data and product advice) and on the other hand online services (hosting, VPS, app hosting, domain registration, e-mail, certificates, licences, back-up), in each case as further described in the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions and the Order Form; f. **Supplementary Terms and Conditions**: the terms and conditions applicable per service line, namely the Supplementary Terms and Conditions Consulting ("AVC") and/or the Supplementary Terms and Conditions Online Services ("AVO"); g. **Order Form**: the document signed by the parties in which the specific arrangements regarding the Services to be provided are laid down; h. **Supporting Policy Documents**: the Service Level Agreement (SLA), the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), the Verwerkersovereenkomst (DPA) [Data Processing Agreement] and the Privacy Policy, insofar as applicable to the agreement; i. **Agreement**: the arrangements between Rule Step and the Customer, consisting of the Order Form, the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions, these General Terms and Conditions and — insofar as applicable — the Supporting Policy Documents. ### 1.2 Applicability 1.2.1 These General Terms and Conditions apply to all offers, quotations and agreements between Rule Step and the Customer, as well as to all legal relationships arising therefrom. 1.2.2 The applicability of any general terms and conditions of the Customer is expressly rejected, unless Rule Step has accepted the applicability thereof in writing and expressly. This provision leaves unaffected that a Consumer may at all times invoke the protection of Book 6 Section 3 BW (Dutch Civil Code) (articles 6:231 et seq.), regardless of whether this has been expressly accepted. ### 1.3 Supporting policy documents In addition to these General Terms and Conditions and the Supplementary Terms and Conditions, the following documents, insofar as applicable to the agreement, form part of the agreement: a. the Service Level Agreement (SLA) — exclusively for online services; b. the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) — exclusively for online services; c. the Verwerkersovereenkomst (DPA) [Data Processing Agreement], if Rule Step processes personal data on behalf of the Customer; d. the Privacy Policy of Rule Step. ### 1.4 Hierarchy of documents In the event of mutual inconsistency between the documents that constitute the agreement, the following priority rules apply, in descending order from highest to lowest rank: **(1)** the Order Form (the case-specific arrangements); **(2)** the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions (AVC or AVO); **(3)** these General Terms and Conditions; **(4)** the Supporting Policy Documents (SLA, AUP, DPA, Privacy Policy). A higher-ranked document prevails over a lower-ranked document. This priority rule leaves unaffected that no provision to the detriment of the Consumer falls short of the mandatory provisions of Book 6 Section 3 BW (Dutch Civil Code), articles 6:230o and 6:230p BW (withdrawal), article 6:248 BW (reasonableness and fairness), and articles 44-50 AVG (GDPR) (international transfer). ### 1.5 Service-agnostic character These General Terms and Conditions contain exclusively provisions that apply to every service of Rule Step. Rules that apply exclusively to consulting services are included in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions Consulting. Rules that apply exclusively to online services (hosting, domains, e-mail, certificates, licences, back-ups) are included in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions Online Services. --- ## Article 2 — Formation of the Agreement **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:217, 6:231d BW (Dutch Civil Code); for B2C: Directive 2011/83/EU (CRD/WRD), articles 5 and 6. ### 2.1 Offer and acceptance 2.1.1 An offer from Rule Step is without obligation and may, unless expressly stated otherwise, be revoked within five (5) working days. 2.1.2 [B2B] An agreement is concluded at the moment that Rule Step confirms the order in writing, or — in the absence of an explicit confirmation — at the moment that Rule Step commences the performance of the agreement. 2.1.3 [B2C] An agreement is concluded at the moment that the Consumer confirms the order and Rule Step receives this confirmation. Rule Step confirms the receipt of the order without delay, but no later than within twenty-four (24) hours, by e-mail. ### 2.2 Acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions 2.2.1 By placing an order or signing an Order Form, the Customer accepts these General Terms and Conditions and the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions. Rule Step makes these General Terms and Conditions available prior to the conclusion of the agreement via its website and in the ordering process. 2.2.2 [B2C] The Consumer can store and reproduce these General Terms and Conditions and the Supplementary Terms and Conditions; Rule Step provides these in a format that permits storage and reproduction, in accordance with article 5 CRD (WRD). --- ## Article 3 — Right of Withdrawal (B2C) **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:230o and 6:230p BW (Dutch Civil Code); Directive 2011/83/EU articles 9-16. ### 3.1 General [B2C] 3.1.1 This article applies exclusively to Consumers (B2C). Business Customers (B2B) have no right of withdrawal. 3.1.2 The Consumer has the right to withdraw from the agreement without giving reasons within a period of fourteen (14) calendar days after the conclusion of the agreement, in accordance with article 6:230o BW (Dutch Civil Code). 3.1.3 The Consumer exercises the right of withdrawal by sending Rule Step a written notification (by e-mail or post) within the withdrawal period. Timely dispatch is sufficient. Rule Step makes a model withdrawal form available via its website. 3.1.4 After withdrawal, Rule Step refunds the fee paid by the Consumer, including any shipping costs, without delay and no later than within fourteen (14) calendar days after receipt of the withdrawal notification, using the same means of payment. ### 3.2 Exceptions to the right of withdrawal [B2C] 3.2.1 The right of withdrawal lapses before the period has expired as soon as Rule Step has fully performed the agreement, provided that: (a) the Consumer has expressly requested immediate performance beforehand; and (b) the Consumer has acknowledged that his right of withdrawal lapses as soon as the service has been fully performed, in accordance with article 16 under c CRD (WRD) in conjunction with (jo.) article 6:230p paragraph 3 BW (Dutch Civil Code). 3.2.2 The service-specific elaboration of the exceptions to the right of withdrawal — including the special exception for the registration of a domain name as digital content that is not supplied on a tangible medium (article 16 under a and c CRD (WRD)) — is included in the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions (AVO Art. 3 for online services). 3.2.3 Rule Step informs the Consumer prior to the agreement about the applicability of these exceptions and the consequences thereof. --- ## Article 4 — Delivery and Service Provision (Umbrella) **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:74 and 6:248 BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 4.1 Delivery of services 4.1.1 Rule Step delivers the Services in accordance with the Order Form and the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions. The specific content, scope, deliverables, technical specifications and service levels are recorded per customer in the Order Form, or refer to the SLA or another Supporting Policy Document. 4.1.2 Rule Step is entitled to outsource the performance of the Services in whole or in part to third parties (sub-processors, suppliers, hosting partners), provided that the confidentiality, security and quality of the service provision remain guaranteed. An up-to-date list of third parties is included in the Data Processing Agreement (DPA, Annex B) and the Privacy Policy (Annex 1). ### 4.2 Availability of the Customer 4.2.1 The Customer provides his reasonable cooperation in the performance of the agreement, including the timely provision of correct and complete information, the granting of access to systems where necessary, and the granting of approvals within reasonable periods. 4.2.2 Delays on the part of the Customer that impede the progress of the service provision suspend the obligations of Rule Step for the duration of that delay, without prejudice to the payment obligation of the Customer for performances already rendered. --- ## Article 5 — Payment Terms **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:119, 6:119a BW (Dutch Civil Code) (statutory interest); Decree on compensation for extrajudicial collection costs (Besluit vergoeding voor buitengerechtelijke incassokosten) (Stb. 2012, 141). ### 5.1 Fee and invoicing 5.1.1 The fee for the Services is stated in the Order Form or in a separate price list. All prices are exclusive of BTW (VAT) [Belasting over de Toegevoegde Waarde], unless expressly stated otherwise. 5.1.2 The payment term is fourteen (14) days after the invoice date, unless a different term has been agreed in the Order Form or in the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions (for example advance payment for domain registration; see AVO Art. 5). ### 5.2 Non-payment 5.2.1 [B2B] The Business Customer is in default by operation of law on the due date of the invoice, without a notice of default being required. 5.2.2 [B2C] The Consumer is in default after Rule Step has given the Consumer written notice of default and has set a term of fourteen (14) days for payment. 5.2.3 [B2B] In the event of non-payment by the Business Customer, the statutory commercial interest of eight percent (8%) per year is due (article 6:119 paragraph 1 in conjunction with 6:119a BW (Dutch Civil Code)), commencing on the day following the due date until the day of full payment. 5.2.4 [B2C] In the event of non-payment by the Consumer, statutory interest is due in accordance with article 6:119 paragraph 2 BW (Dutch Civil Code) (percentage established annually by ministerial regulation), commencing on the day following the expiry of the term referred to in paragraph 5.2.2 until the day of full payment. 5.2.5 The extrajudicial collection costs are also due on the outstanding amount in accordance with the Besluit vergoeding voor buitengerechtelijke incassokosten [Decree on compensation for extrajudicial collection costs], without prejudice to the right of Rule Step to claim the actually incurred higher collection costs. 5.2.6 Payments serve in the first place to satisfy the interest and collection costs due, and subsequently to satisfy the oldest outstanding invoices, even if the Customer indicates a different allocation. [B2C] If the Customer is a Consumer, he retains the right to indicate upon payment to which claim the payment relates, in accordance with article 6:44 BW (Dutch Civil Code). --- ## Article 6 — Complaints **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:89, 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 6.1 Complaints procedure 6.1.1 Complaints about the Services or the performance of the agreement are submitted in writing to Rule Step by e-mail (hello@rulestep.com) or by post. Rule Step confirms receipt of the complaint within seven (7) working days. 6.1.2 The complaint is handled within thirty (30) working days after receipt, or the Customer is informed of a longer handling period with a statement of reasons. 6.1.3 The submission of a complaint leaves the payment obligation of the Customer for undisputed claims intact, and does not suspend the limitation period (verjaring). 6.1.4 Complaints about the processing of personal data must be addressed to privacy@rulestep.com. --- ## Article 7 — Suspension and Dissolution **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:95 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code); 6:262, 6:265 BW (Dutch Civil Code); for B2C: 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 7.1 Suspension in case of non-payment 7.1.1 Rule Step is authorized to suspend the delivery of the Services if the Customer fails to pay any fee due in time, after the Customer is in default as referred to in article 5.2. 7.1.2 [B2C] The Consumer at all times receives a reasonable period to still fulfil his payment obligations before Rule Step proceeds to suspension. The suspension is announced in writing with a statement of reasons. 7.1.3 Service-specific suspension rules (such as escalation in case of AUP violation, warning periods for hosting and domains) are included in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions (AVO Art. 7) and the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP Art. 6). ### 7.2 Dissolution by Rule Step 7.2.1 Rule Step is authorized to dissolve the agreement with immediate effect: (a) if the Customer, after a proper notice of default, fails to fulfil his obligations within the set reasonable period; (b) if the Customer has been declared bankrupt, has applied for suspension of payments (surseance van betaling), or the administrator (bewindvoerder) in a debt restructuring scheme (schuldsaneringsregeling) does not continue the agreement; (c) in the event of a persistent or repeated violation of the Acceptable Use Policy. 7.2.2 [B2B] For the Business Customer, dissolution on account of non-performance may be pronounced without further notice of default if the shortcoming, given its nature and seriousness, justifies dissolution. 7.2.3 [B2C] For the Consumer, dissolution takes place only after the Consumer has been given a reasonable period of at least fourteen (14) calendar days to remedy the shortcoming, unless the shortcoming occurs repeatedly or is of such a nature that continuation of the agreement cannot reasonably be required. ### 7.3 Consequences of dissolution 7.3.1 Dissolution leaves the payment obligations of the Customer for Services already provided intact. Specific return and removal obligations are included in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions (AVO Art. 8 for online services; AVC Art. 9 for consulting). --- ## Article 8 — Duration and Termination of the Agreement **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:265 and 6:267 BW (Dutch Civil Code); 7:408 BW (Dutch Civil Code); for B2C: 6:233 BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 8.1 Duration 8.1.1 The agreement is entered into for the duration stated in the Order Form. In the absence of a specific duration, the agreement is deemed to have been entered into for an indefinite period. If a minimum term has been agreed in the Order Form (for example for a domain name registration of one year), the agreement does not end earlier than after the expiry of that minimum term, without prejudice to the right of the Consumer to terminate the agreement subject to paragraph 8.2.2. ### 8.2 Termination 8.2.1 [B2B] Both parties may terminate the agreement concluded for an indefinite period in writing, subject to a notice period of one (1) month, unless a longer period has been agreed in the Order Form. 8.2.2 [B2C] The Consumer may terminate the agreement at any time with a notice period of at most one (1) month, in conformity with the nature of the service, in accordance with the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions. ### 8.3 B2C objection upon amendment 8.3.1 If Rule Step amends these General Terms and Conditions or the Supplementary Terms and Conditions (article 11), the Consumer is entitled to object within thirty (30) days after announcement. Timely objection leads to application of the original terms and conditions until the moment at which the agreement is terminable, in accordance with article 6:233 BW (Dutch Civil Code). --- ## Article 9 — Limitation of Liability **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:74, 6:75, 6:125 paragraph 1 BW (Dutch Civil Code); for B2C: article 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 9.1 Liability cap [B2B] 9.1.1 The liability of Rule Step for direct damage towards the Business Customer is limited to the amount that the Business Customer has paid to Rule Step in the twelve (12) months preceding the damage-causing event for the relevant Service, with a maximum of fifty thousand euros (EUR 50.000) per event. 9.1.2 In derogation from the foregoing, a higher liability cap may be agreed in a separate written agreement. ### 9.2 Liability towards the Consumer [B2C] 9.2.1 Towards the Consumer, the limitation referred to in article 9.1.1 does not apply to damage arising from: (a) the death or personal injury of the Consumer; or (b) prior intent or deliberate recklessness (gross fault) of Rule Step or its subordinates. 9.2.2 A limitation of liability that conflicts with article 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code) is void towards the Consumer. ### 9.3 Excluded liability 9.3.1 Without prejudice to the other exclusions in these General Terms and Conditions and the Supplementary Terms and Conditions, Rule Step is not liable for: (a) damage resulting from incorrect or incomplete information provided by the Customer; (b) damage resulting from acts or omissions of third parties that fall outside the sphere of control (machtssfeer) of Rule Step, subject to article 9.4. ### 9.4 Chain clause towards the Consumer [B2C] 9.4.1 Insofar as Rule Step makes use of third parties (such as hosting partners, registrars or payment processors) in the performance of the Services, Rule Step remains liable towards the Consumer for the totality of acts and omissions of those third parties as if Rule Step had performed the service itself, in accordance with article 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code). Reliance on a third-party clause (derdenbeding) that would exclude this liability towards the Consumer is void. --- ## Article 10 — Exclusion of Indirect Damage **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:95 paragraph 2 and 6:248 BW (Dutch Civil Code); for B2C: 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 10.1 Exclusion [B2B] 10.1.1 Rule Step is not liable towards the Business Customer for indirect damage, including consequential damage, lost profits, missed savings, loss of customers, loss of goodwill, loss of data, standstill of business processes, and damage resulting from claims of third parties against the Customer, without prejudice to article 6:248 BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 10.2 Limitation of the exclusion towards the Consumer [B2C] 10.2.1 The exclusion referred to in article 10.1.1 applies towards the Consumer only insofar as it does not conflict with article 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code). The exclusion of indirect damage is non-binding insofar as it withholds from the Consumer an essential part of the performance(s) of Rule Step, or adversely affects the essence of the agreement. ### 10.3 Exceptions 10.3.1 The exclusions in this article do not apply if the damage is the result of prior intent or deliberate recklessness of Rule Step or its managerial personnel, or of death or personal injury as a result of a breach by Rule Step. --- ## Article 11 — Force Majeure **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:75 and 6:265 BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 11.1 Definition 11.1.1 Force majeure is understood to mean: an external circumstance that is not attributable to the will of Rule Step, as a result of which the performance of the agreement becomes temporarily or permanently impossible or cannot reasonably be required of Rule Step, in accordance with article 6:75 BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 11.2 Generic circumstances 11.2.1 Without prejudice to article 6:75 BW (Dutch Civil Code), the following are in any case regarded as force majeure: natural disasters, war, terrorism, government measures, pandemics, disruptions in utility services, and DDoS attacks insofar as these cannot, by standards of reasonableness and fairness, be averted by Rule Step. 11.2.2 Service-specific force majeure circumstances (such as disruptions at hosting partners, registry actions for domains) are included in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions Online Services (AVO Art. 11). ### 11.3 Consequences 11.3.1 During the force majeure period, the performance obligations of Rule Step are suspended. Rule Step is not liable for damage resulting from failures during the force majeure period. 11.3.2 If the force majeure situation continues for longer than ninety (90) days, each of the parties is authorized to dissolve the agreement by written termination, without prejudice to the right of Rule Step to compensation for Services already provided. 11.3.3 [B2C] The Consumer is also authorized to dissolve the agreement if the force majeure situation makes the performance of the agreement impossible for an indefinite period, in accordance with article 6:265 BW (Dutch Civil Code). --- ## Article 12 — Data Protection **Statutory basis:** AVG (GDPR) articles 5, 6, 28, 32-34; Uitvoeringswet AVG [GDPR Implementation Act]. ### 12.1 Processing of personal data 12.1.1 Rule Step processes personal data in accordance with the Algemene Verordening Gegevensbescherming (AVG) [General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)], the Uitvoeringswet AVG and the Privacy Policy of Rule Step. The full information on processing purposes, legal bases, retention periods, transfers and rights of data subjects is included in the Privacy Policy. ### 12.2 Roles under the AVG 12.2.1 For online services, Rule Step acts as processor of personal data that the Customer processes on the infrastructure; the Customer is the controller. The parties conclude a Verwerkersovereenkomst (DPA) [Data Processing Agreement] in conformity with article 28 AVG (GDPR), which forms part of the agreement. 12.2.2 For its own administrative processing (customer management, invoicing), Rule Step acts as controller in accordance with the Privacy Policy. 12.2.3 For consulting services, Rule Step acts as processor only if and insofar as Rule Step, within the scope of the assignment, processes personal data on behalf of the Customer. The precise division of roles is recorded per assignment in the Order Form and the Data Processing Agreement (DPA). ### 12.3 International transfer 12.3.1 Rule Step uses data centre infrastructure within the Europese Economische Ruimte (EER) [European Economic Area (EEA)]. Insofar as data is processed outside the EEA, this takes place exclusively on the basis of standard contractual clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission, adequacy decisions, or the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (2023), in accordance with articles 44-50 AVG (GDPR). ### 12.4 Data breaches 12.4.1 In the event of a data breach, Rule Step notifies the Customer thereof without delay, but no later than within forty-eight (48) hours after Rule Step has become aware thereof, in accordance with the Data Processing Agreement (DPA Art. 7) and articles 33-34 AVG (GDPR). Further details regarding notification to the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens [Dutch Data Protection Authority] and to data subjects are included in the Privacy Policy (PP Art. 9). --- ## Article 13 — Intellectual Property (Generic) **Statutory basis:** Auteurswet 1912 [Dutch Copyright Act 1912]; BW 3:83 (Dutch Civil Code). ### 13.1 Ownership allocation 13.1.1 The Customer retains all intellectual property rights to the content, materials, data and information provided by him to Rule Step. Rule Step retains all intellectual property rights to its own tooling, platforms, templates and working methods. 13.1.2 The Customer grants Rule Step a non-exclusive, worldwide, non-transferable licence to process the content of the Customer exclusively insofar as necessary for the performance of the agreement. ### 13.2 Service-specific IP 13.2.1 For online services, the ownership allocation with regard to domain names and hosting content is further elaborated in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions Online Services (AVO Art. 9). 13.2.2 For consulting services, the transfer of intellectual property rights to work product is further elaborated in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions Consulting (AVC Art. 6). --- ## Article 14 — Confidentiality **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:162 and 6:248 BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 14.1 Duty of confidentiality 14.1.1 The parties keep confidential all information that they receive from each other within the framework of the agreement and that is confidential in nature or of which one must reasonably understand that it is confidential. This obligation also applies to the content of the agreement. 14.1.2 The parties use the confidential information exclusively for the purpose for which it was provided and do not provide it to third parties without the prior written consent of the other party. ### 14.2 Exceptions 14.2.1 The duty of confidentiality does not apply to information that: (a) at the moment of provision was already in the public domain; (b) after provision enters the public domain without attributable breach on the part of the receiving party; (c) prior to the provision was already known to the receiving party; (d) has been independently developed by the receiving party without use of the confidential information; (e) has been lawfully provided by a third party to the receiving party. ### 14.3 Duration 14.3.1 The duty of confidentiality remains in force during the term of the agreement and for five (5) years after its termination. --- ## Article 15 — Applicable Law **Statutory basis:** Regulation (EC) No 593/2008 (Rome I). ### 15.1 Dutch law 15.1.1 The agreement between Rule Step and the Customer is governed by Dutch law. The applicability of the Weens Koopverdrag (CISG) [Vienna Sales Convention; UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods] is excluded. 15.1.2 [B2C] The choice of Dutch law does not deprive the Consumer of the protection afforded to him on the basis of the mandatory provisions of the law of the country where the Consumer has his habitual residence, in accordance with article 6 paragraph 2 Rome I. The Consumer can always invoke the consumer protection of his state of residence if it offers a higher level of protection. --- ## Article 16 — Competent Court and Dispute Resolution **Statutory basis:** Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 (Brussels I bis); Regulation (EU) No 524/2013 (ODR). ### 16.1 Competent court [B2B] 16.1.1 [B2B] All disputes arising from or connected with the agreement between Rule Step and the Business Customer are settled by the competent court in the arrondissement [judicial district] in which Rule Step B.V. has its statutory seat (Amsterdam), unless mandatory statutory provisions determine otherwise. ### 16.2 Competent court [B2C] 16.2.1 [B2C] The Consumer may choose to submit a dispute to the competent court in the arrondissement [judicial district] where the Consumer has his place of residence, in accordance with article 18 paragraph 1 of Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 (Brussels I bis). A choice by Rule Step for the Dutch court in these General Terms and Conditions does not deprive the Consumer of the right to submit a dispute to the court of his place of residence. ### 16.3 Online dispute resolution [B2C] 16.3.1 [B2C] The Consumer may, in addition to the possibility of submitting a dispute to the competent court, also submit a dispute to the Europees Onlinegeschillenbeslechtingsplatform (ODR-platform) [European Online Dispute Resolution Platform]: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. 16.3.2 [B2C] Rule Step is not obliged to participate in a disputes committee (geschillencommissie), but will respect a dispute resolution procedure of a recognised disputes committee if the Consumer takes the initiative thereto. ### 16.4 Service-specific disputes 16.4.1 For domain name disputes (UDRP, .nl-geschillenreglement SIDN [.nl dispute regulations of SIDN]), the separate procedures of ICANN and SIDN respectively apply, without prejudice to the right of the Customer to call upon the competent court (see AVO Art. 12). 16.4.2 For consulting assignments, the complaint track of article 6 remains leading, followed by the dispute resolution arrangement in AVC Art. 12. --- ## Article 17 — Amendment of the General Terms and Conditions **Statutory basis:** Articles 6:233 and 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 17.1 Authority to amend [B2B] 17.1.1 Rule Step is authorized to amend these General Terms and Conditions. The amended General Terms and Conditions apply to existing agreements, unless the Business Customer objects as referred to in article 17.2. 17.1.2 Rule Step will announce the amended General Terms and Conditions no later than thirty (30) days before their entry into force via its website and will inform the Customer in writing. ### 17.2 Right of objection [B2C] 17.2.1 [B2C] The Consumer is authorized to object to the amended General Terms and Conditions within a period of thirty (30) days after the announcement, as referred to in article 6:233 BW (Dutch Civil Code). Timely objection leads to application of the original terms and conditions until the moment at which the agreement is terminable. 17.2.2 [B2C] If the Consumer does not object within the period referred to in paragraph 17.2.1, he is deemed to agree to the amendment. ### 17.3 Material amendments 17.3.1 Material amendments that adversely affect the position of the Customer require the express consent of the Customer. Material amendments are in any case understood to include: amendments to the limitation of liability, price changes above the level of the inflation correction, and amendments to the core of the Services to be delivered. 17.3.2 [B2C] Price changes during the first three (3) months of the agreement are not permitted, unless they result from statutory regulation. --- ## Article 18 — Severability **Statutory basis:** Articles 3:41 and 6:231 BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 18.1 Partial nullity 18.1.1 If one or more provisions of these General Terms and Conditions are void or are declared void, the remaining provisions remain unaffected. The parties will, in place of the void provision(s), agree on one or more new provisions that come as close as possible to the economic objective and purport of the void provision(s). 18.1.2 The nullity of a provision in these General Terms and Conditions does not lead to the nullity of the agreement as a whole. 18.1.3 [B2C] If a provision detrimental to the Consumer is declared void on the basis of article 6:231 et seq. BW (Dutch Civil Code), the provision is replaced by the applicable mandatory statutory provision, so that the level of protection of the Consumer remains guaranteed. --- ## Article 19 — Entire Agreement **Statutory basis:** Article 6:93 BW (Dutch Civil Code). ### 19.1 Composition of the agreement 19.1.1 The agreement between Rule Step and the Customer consists of the following documents, insofar as applicable: (a) the Order Form; (b) the applicable Supplementary Terms and Conditions (AVC or AVO); (c) these General Terms and Conditions; (d) the Supporting Policy Documents (SLA, AUP, DPA, Privacy Policy). 19.1.2 These documents together form the entire agreement between the parties and replace all prior oral and written arrangements, correspondence, e-mails, quotations and commitments between the parties relating to the same subject. ### 19.2 Precedence 19.2.1 In the event of mutual inconsistency, the hierarchy of article 1.4 applies. ### 19.3 Amendment 19.3.1 Deviations from or additions to these General Terms and Conditions are valid only if they have been expressly agreed in writing and have been signed by authorised representatives of the parties. --- ## Execution These General Terms and Conditions have been adopted by the management board of Rule Step B.V. and enter into force on 30 September 2026. Place: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Date: 30 September 2026 ________________________________________ On behalf of the management board of Rule Step B.V.: **J.J. van Grondelle** Director (alleen/zelfstandig bevoegd [solely/independently authorised]) also Functionaris voor Gegevensbescherming (FG/DPO), Privacy Officer and Information Security Officer --- *These General Terms and Conditions are published on the website of Rule Step B.V. prior to filing (deponering) with the Kamer van Koophandel in Amsterdam under number 42042967. The deposit date is decisive for the evidentiary force with respect to third parties in accordance with article 6:231d BW (Dutch Civil Code).* *Consumers can submit a dispute via the Europees Onlinegeschillenbeslechtingsplatform [European Online Dispute Resolution Platform]: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr* *For questions about these General Terms and Conditions: hello@rulestep.com* *For questions about the processing of personal data: privacy@rulestep.com*