Contract Procedure
International commercial agreements establish the formal legal steps followed when a shipment of flax fibre fails to meet the buyer’s quality specification. This mechanism, known as the non-conformance dispute protocol, dictates the sampling methods and timeline for filing a formal claim. The procedure prevents the immediate rejection of the cargo and ensures that both parties agree on the testing methodology.
It binds both the flax merchant and the spinning mill to a predetermined resolution path. The protocol defines a strict limit of fourteen days from the vessel’s arrival for the mill to initiate a claim, preventing delays that could degrade the stored raw material.
Arbitration Method
Independent testing laboratories evaluate the disputed flax samples using standardized ISO test methods. Under the non-conformance dispute protocol, the average of three separate tests of moisture regain and fibre fineness serves as the final decision. This testing is funded jointly by both parties until a fault is determined.
Quality Settlement
The final laboratory report determines whether the supplier must issue a discount or accept a return of the shipment. If the flax complies with the contract within a two percent tolerance, the buyer accepts the cargo at the original price. This structured settlement reduces trade friction and maintains stable supply relationships.
