These Terms of Use govern access to and use of the websites gracert.eu (the "Homepage") and check.gracert.eu (the "Verification Service"), operated by HeiDoc V.O.F. (hereinafter "GRA", "we", "us"). By accessing these websites you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use immediately.
These Terms apply exclusively to end users (consumers and the general public). Authorised vendors and business partners are subject to separate contractual terms agreed upon registration with the GRA vendor portal.
1. Services Provided
GRA operates the Verification Service at check.gracert.eu, which allows any person to query the authenticity of a GRA gemological grading report by entering a GRA Report Number. The service returns information about the corresponding certificate as stored in the GRA database at the time of the query.
GRA also operates the Homepage at gracert.eu, which provides general information about GRA and its services. Both websites are provided free of charge to the public.
2. Accuracy of Certificate Information
The certificate data displayed via the Verification Service reflects the information submitted by the authorised vendor at the time of certificate issuance. GRA does not independently verify the physical characteristics of the stone described in the certificate. GRA's role is to issue and maintain the certificate record; the gemological assessment is the responsibility of the issuing vendor.
GRA makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and availability of the Verification Service but does not warrant that the service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that the information displayed is complete or current at all times.
3. Permitted Use
You may use these websites solely for lawful, personal, non-commercial purposes. In particular, you must not:
- use automated tools (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to query the Verification Service in bulk or at a rate that imposes an unreasonable load on our infrastructure;
- attempt to reverse-engineer, circumvent, or interfere with any security measure or access control of our systems;
- use the websites to transmit unsolicited communications, malware, or harmful code;
- reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from our content without prior written consent, except as permitted by applicable copyright law;
- impersonate GRA or misrepresent the source of any certificate information.
4. Intellectual Property
All content on these websites, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, and the GRA name and emblem, is the property of HeiDoc V.O.F. or its licensors and is protected by EU and international copyright and trademark law. The GRA trademark is registered with the EUIPO under registration number 019159269.
Nothing in these Terms grants you any licence to use the GRA name, logo, or trademark. Unauthorised use constitutes trademark infringement under EU law.
5. Disclaimer of Warranties
The websites and all information provided therein are offered on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, GRA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. GRA does not warrant that the Verification Service will be available at any particular time or that the certificate data is free from errors.
6. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, GRA shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with your use of these websites, including loss of profit, data, or goodwill, even if GRA has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law under the applicable jurisdiction.
7. Links to Third-Party Websites
Our websites may contain links to third-party websites. GRA has no control over those websites and accepts no responsibility for their content, privacy practices, or availability. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement by GRA.
8. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Netherlands, without regard to its conflict-of-law provisions. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Maastricht, the Netherlands, unless mandatory consumer protection law in your country of residence grants you the right to bring proceedings before a court in that country.
If you are a consumer resident in the EU, you may also use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform at https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/.
9. Changes to These Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be published on this page with an updated date. Continued use of the websites after the effective date of any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.