This is a courtesy translation. In case of any discrepancy between this English version and the German original, the German version prevails. German originalAs at 27 June 2026
§ 1 Scope
(1) These General Terms and Conditions (hereinafter “AGB”) apply to all contracts on the use of the DGfE Energy Seal (hereinafter the “Seal”) concluded between AK-FAMILY GmbH, Große Gallusstraße 16–18, 60312 Frankfurt am Main, acting under the trading name (Geschäftsbezeichnung) DGfE – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Energie (hereinafter “DGfE”), and companies (hereinafter the “Customer”).
(2) A Customer within the meaning of these AGB is exclusively an entrepreneur pursuant to § 14 BGB, that is, a natural or legal person or a partnership with legal capacity which, when concluding the contract, is acting in the exercise of its commercial or self-employed professional activity. The conclusion of contracts with consumers within the meaning of § 13 BGB is excluded.
(3) Differing, conflicting or supplementary general terms and conditions of the Customer do not become part of the contract unless DGfE expressly consents to their application in writing.
§ 2 Subject matter of the contract
(1) DGfE offers companies the opportunity to acquire the DGfE Energy Seal after an assessment of defined energy efficiency measures. The Seal certifies that the company has demonstrably taken measures to improve its energy efficiency.
(2) The Seal is offered in four tariff tiers:
- Starter – for companies with fewer than 10 employees
- Standard – for companies with 10 to 49 employees
- Premium – for companies with 50 to 249 employees
- Enterprise – for companies with 250 or more employees
(3) The scope of services for each tariff tier follows from the respective product description on the DGfE website at deutsche-energie-wirtschaft.de/energiesiegel/.
(4) The Seal is a private-law quality mark of DGfE. It certifies the implementation of defined energy efficiency measures on the basis of a self-assessment with a sample check. The Seal does not replace any legally required certifications (for example ISO 50001, an energy management system under the EDL-G) and does not constitute any state or official recognition.
§ 3 Conclusion of the contract
(1) The presentation of the Seal on the DGfE website does not constitute a binding offer but a non-binding invitation to submit an offer (invitatio ad offerendum).
(2) The Customer submits a non-binding enquiry via the enquiry form or by email. An enquiry is neither an order nor a contractual offer and does not oblige the Customer to anything. DGfE assesses the details and then submits an individual, binding offer to the Customer in text form. The contract is concluded when the Customer accepts that offer in text form. DGfE confirms the conclusion of the contract by a separate order confirmation by email and activates access.
(3) The language of the contract is German.
§ 4 Prices and payment terms
(1) The price stated in the individual offer is decisive. The amounts named on the website are non-binding guide figures starting from the minimum price stated in each case; the final price follows from the assessment of the Customer's details. All prices are net and exclusive of value added tax at the applicable statutory rate.
(2) The current monthly charges for each tariff tier are:
| Tariff tier | Monthly (plus VAT) | Annually / month (plus VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 59,99 € | 53,99 € |
| Standard | 89,99 € | 80,99 € |
| Premium | 129,99 € | 116,99 € |
| Enterprise | 199,99 € | 179,99 € |
(3) With an annual subscription the equivalent monthly amount is reduced by 10% against the respective monthly price. The total annual amount falls due in advance and is payable as a single sum.
(4) Payment is made by SEPA direct debit or credit card. With a monthly subscription the charge falls due at the beginning of each billing period and is collected automatically.
(5) In the event of late payment, DGfE is entitled to charge default interest at the statutory rate (§ 288(2) BGB: 9 percentage points above the base rate) and to suspend the Seal until all outstanding amounts have been settled in full. The right to assert further damages is reserved.
(6) DGfE reserves the right to adjust prices by email giving at least 30 days' notice. If the Customer does not object to the price adjustment within that period, the adjustment is deemed accepted. In that case the Customer has a special right of termination.
§ 5 Term and termination
(1) The monthly subscription begins on confirmation of the contract and runs for an indefinite period. It may be terminated by either party in text form giving 14 days' notice to the end of the current calendar month.
(2) The annual subscription has a minimum term of 12 months from the conclusion of the contract. After the minimum term has expired it renews automatically for further periods of 12 months unless terminated in text form giving 14 days' notice before the end of the respective term.
(3) Notices of termination are to be sent in text form (email is sufficient) to kontakt@deutsche-energie-wirtschaft.de .
(4) The right to terminate for cause without notice remains unaffected. Cause exists for DGfE in particular where the Customer fails to meet its payment obligations despite a reminder and the setting of a further period, or seriously breaches these AGB.
§ 6 Rights and obligations of use
(1) On conclusion of the contract and payment in full, DGfE grants the Customer a simple (non-exclusive), non-transferable right to use the DGfE Energy Seal (logo, QR code, certificate URL) for the duration of the contract, exclusively within its own corporate communication.
(2) Permissible wordings in communication are in particular:
- “DGfE verified”
- “Energy efficiency measures evidenced”
- “DGfE Energy Seal – [tariff tier]”
(3) Wordings which imply climate neutrality, CO₂ neutrality or an objective overall assessment of the company's environmental performance are not permissible unless supported by recognised external certifications. This applies in particular in the light of the EU prohibition on misleading environmental claims (Green Claims Directive).
(4) The Customer is obliged to provide truthful information in all statements made when applying and to inform DGfE without delay of material changes (in particular a significant increase in energy consumption, a change in the company structure or of the site).
(5) Transferring rights of use in the Seal to third parties is not permitted without the prior written consent of DGfE.
§ 7 Withdrawal of the Seal
(1) DGfE is entitled to withdraw the DGfE Energy Seal and to revoke the associated rights of use where:
- a) the Customer has provided false or misleading information when applying or during the term,
- b) the Customer uses the Seal in a manner not permitted under § 6,
- c) the Customer fails to meet its payment obligations despite a reminder and the expiry of a reasonable further period,
- d) the contract ends by termination or otherwise.
(2) Before a withdrawal under paragraph 1 lit. a) and b), DGfE will issue a written warning to the Customer and set a reasonable period of at least 14 calendar days for remedy, provided the breach of duty can be remedied. In the case of serious or repeated breaches, withdrawal may take place without a prior warning.
(3) On withdrawal of the Seal, the Customer is obliged to remove the Seal logo, the QR code and all references to the Seal without delay and in full from all communication media (website, print materials, digital presences, social media, etc.).
(4) In the event of a withdrawal under paragraph 1 lit. a) or b) there is no claim to a refund of payments already made. DGfE reserves the right to assert further claims for damages.
§ 8 Availability
(1) DGfE endeavours to keep the certificate register and the public certificate URL available to the greatest possible extent. There is no contractual claim to any particular level of availability unless individually agreed in writing.
(2) DGfE will announce planned maintenance work where possible. There is no liability for temporary unavailability due to maintenance, technical faults or force majeure.
§ 9 Limitation of liability
(1) DGfE is liable without limitation for damage arising from injury to life, body or health and for damage based on intent or gross negligence on the part of DGfE, its legal representatives or vicarious agents.
(2) In cases of slight negligence, DGfE is liable only for breach of a material contractual obligation (cardinal obligation), the fulfilment of which is essential to the proper performance of the contract and on the observance of which the Customer may regularly rely. In that case liability is limited to the damage typical for this type of contract and foreseeable at the time the contract was concluded, but at most to the amount of the payments made by the Customer in the contract year concerned.
(3) Liability for indirect damage, consequential damage and loss of profit is excluded to the extent permitted by law.
(4) The above limitations of liability do not apply in the case of fraudulently concealed defects, where a guarantee as to quality has been assumed, or within the scope of product liability.
§ 10 Data protection
Personal data is processed within the contractual relationship in accordance with the DGfE privacy policy, available at deutsche-energie-wirtschaft.de/datenschutz/. Within the certificate register, the company name, tariff tier and validity period of the Seal are made publicly accessible. The Customer consents to this publication on conclusion of the contract.
§ 11 Amendments to the AGB
DGfE reserves the right to amend these AGB giving at least 30 days' notice. The Customer will be informed of amendments by email to the address on file. If the Customer does not object to the amendment within 30 days of receipt of the notification, the amendment is deemed accepted. DGfE will draw express attention to this right in the notification of amendment. In the event of an objection, both parties have a special right of termination effective from the date on which the amendment takes effect.
§ 12 Final provisions
(1) The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
(2) The place of performance is Frankfurt am Main. The exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or in connection with this contract is Frankfurt am Main, provided the Customer is a merchant, a legal person under public law or a special fund under public law.
(3) Should individual provisions of these AGB be or become wholly or partly invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining provisions remains unaffected. The invalid or unenforceable provision is deemed replaced by a valid and enforceable provision that comes closest to the economic purpose of the invalid provision.
AK-FAMILY GmbH — acting under the trading name (Geschäftsbezeichnung) DGfE – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Energie
Große Gallusstraße 16–18 · 60312 Frankfurt am Main
Managing director (Geschäftsführer): Amarnath Kakar
HRB 140284, Amtsgericht Frankfurt am Main