Inspection & Rejection Rights
Also called: Right to Reject Goods · Acceptance Testing Clause
Inspection and rejection rights give a buyer a defined window to examine delivered goods or services for defects and reject them before being obligated to pay in full. Without a clear process and deadline, disputes arise over whether a rejection was timely or whether the buyer is deemed to have accepted by default.
In more detail
A buyer who stays silent after delivery risks being treated as having accepted goods by conduct — this clause protects the buyer by giving an explicit, defined inspection period rather than leaving "reasonable time to inspect" open to interpretation.
The clause should specify what counts as a valid rejection (a defect meeting a defined standard, not just buyer's remorse), the process for notifying the seller, and what happens next — replacement, repair, refund, or a combination.
From the seller's side, an inspection period that's too long or vague creates prolonged uncertainty about whether a sale is actually final — a defined, reasonably short window benefits both parties' need for certainty.
A buyer has 10 business days after delivery to inspect goods and notify the seller in writing of any defects. If no notice is given within that window, the goods are deemed accepted, and the buyer's payment obligation becomes unconditional.
What our lawyers check
- Length of the inspection window and what triggers it
- What standard defines a valid, rejectable defect
- The remedy available on valid rejection — replacement, repair, or refund
- What happens to payment obligations if the inspection window is missed
Contracts where this clause matters
Related terms
This definition is general information about commercial contracting practice, not legal advice. How a clause operates depends on the specific wording of your agreement and the law that governs it. For advice on your contract, have it reviewed by a lawyer.
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