1. Commercial Terms & Obligations

1. Platform Fees and Commission Structure:
   
1. Fee Policy: All fees, including transaction or commission fees, are explicitly detailed in our dedicated Fee Policy. By selling on The Shared Environment, you acknowledge and agree to comply with the current Fee Policy, which may be updated from time to time.
2. Fee Deduction: You authorize The Shared Environment and its Payment Processor to automatically deduct all applicable fees from your sales proceeds before remittance to your Seller account.
2. Payout Timelines and Methods:
1. Payout Schedule: Funds from your sales, net of all applicable fees, will be remitted to your designated payout account by our third-party Payment Processor. The specific payout schedule (bi-weekly) and any minimum payout thresholds are governed by our Payment Processing Policy and the terms of our Payment Processor.
2. Payout Information: You are responsible for maintaining accurate and current payout method details within your Seller account. The Shared Environment is not responsible for delayed or withheld payouts due to incorrect or outdated information provided by you to The Shared Environment or the Payment Processor.
3. Third-Party Payment Processor: All payment processing services, including the collection of funds from Buyers and the disbursement of funds to Sellers, are provided by a third-party payment processor. You agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Payment Processor, which will be accessible via their platform or linked from The Shared Environment. The Shared Environment is not a bank or payment institution and does not hold funds on your behalf.
3. Rules for Chargebacks:
1. Chargeback Process: You acknowledge and agree to the procedures and responsibilities for handling payment chargebacks as outlined in our Payment Processing Policy and the terms of our Payment Processor.
2. Seller Liability for Chargebacks: In the event a chargeback occurs on one of your sales, you are primarily responsible for responding to the dispute and providing any necessary documentation to the Payment Processor. You acknowledge that The Shared Environment , or its Payment Processor, may debit your account for the chargeback amount and any associated chargeback fees, regardless of the resolution outcome. The Shared Environment reserves the right to recover any such debited amounts from your future sales proceeds, your designated payout account, or by other legal means allowed by the Payment Processor's terms.
4. Sales Tax Responsibilities:
   
1. Seller's Primary Obligation: You are generally responsible for determining, collecting, remitting, and reporting all applicable sales, use, value-added (VAT), goods and services (GST), or similar taxes on the sale of your items through The Shared Environment. UK Sellers are responsible for VAT registration, issuing VAT invoices where required, and all HMRC reporting obligations. UK Sellers must also provide all legally required pre-contract information, including business identity, geographic address, delivery timelines, and cancellation instructions.
   
2. Marketplace Facilitator Laws: In jurisdictions where The Shared Environment is legally required to act as a "marketplace facilitator" (i.e., collect and remit sales tax on your behalf), you agree to cooperate fully by providing accurate information to facilitate this process. In such cases, while The Shared Environment or its Payment Processor handles the remittance, your responsibility for maintaining proper tax records remains.
   
3. No Tax Advice: The Shared Environment does not provide tax advice. You are encouraged to consult with a qualified tax professional regarding your specific tax obligations.
   
5. Baseline Obligations for Inventory and Shipping:
1. Inventory Accuracy: You must accurately manage and represent your inventory levels. Items listed for sale must be available and ready for fulfillment.
2. Order Fulfillment: All orders must be fulfilled and dispatched within the timelines stated in your listings and in accordance with our Shipping Policy.
3. Shipping Policy Compliance: You agree to adhere to all requirements set forth in our Shipping Policy, including regarding shipping costs, methods, mandatory tracking, and procedures for lost or damaged shipments.
4. Refunds and Returns Compliance: You must comply with all provisions of our Refunds, Returns, and Exchanges Policy. This includes setting shop policies that meet our minimum standards, processing returns promptly, and providing fair remedies for defective or misdescribed items.
6. Seller Performance Standards:
1. Product Accuracy & Quality: All products listed must be accurately described, and product images must be representative. Products must meet the quality standards implied by your listing and our Product Safety Policy.
2. Communication: You are required to maintain prompt, clear, and professional communication with Buyers regarding orders, inquiries, and disputes.
3. Customer Service: You must provide satisfactory customer service to Buyers, addressing complaints and issues in a timely and constructive manner.
7. Non-Compliance and Enforcement: 

• Temporary or permanent removal of listings.
• Suspension or termination of your selling privileges and/or account.
• Withholding of funds by The Shared Environment or the Payment Processor.
• Any other remedies available to The Shared Environment under the Terms of Use or applicable law.

8. International Seller (UK) Addendum - Montessori Goods to US Buyers

1.  Importer of Record; Customs Responsibility
   

2. US Children’s Product Safety Compliance
   

3. Authenticity and Intellectual Property
   

4. Cross-Border Tax Documentation
   

5. Buyer Data; UK GDPR
   

6. Platform Enforcement; Reserves
   

7. Governing Law
   

2. Child Imagery and Brand Use

• Sellers must not use photos or videos of children in product listings, advertisements, or marketing materials where The Shared Environment’s branding, name, or marks are displayed or referenced.
  
• This prohibition applies regardless of whether the child is a customer, model, family member, or otherwise associated with the Seller.
  

• the image is limited strictly to hands and forearms;
• the child is not identifiable; and
  
• no other child-related imagery or context is included.
  

3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

1. Anti-Corruption: Never give, offer, or accept anything of value to gain an improper advantage, whether it be in dealings with government officials or the private sector. Sellers are required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including, for example, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act, and any other laws prohibiting bribery, kickbacks, facilitation payments, or improper inducements in the jurisdictions in which they operate. 
   
2. Antitrust: Do not participate in any anti-competitive conduct such as discussing or exchanging competitively sensitive information or agreeing to geographic markets, customers or pricing with competitors. Sellers are required to comply with all applicable antitrust and fair competition laws. 
3. Trade: Comply with applicable import and export laws, act in accordance with trade restrictions and economic sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and any other applicable trade restrictions. 
   

4. Business Practices and Ethics

1. Conflicts of Interest: Avoid conflicts of interest or even the appearance of conflicts of interest. Sellers must not deal directly with any The Shared Environment employee or Board Member whose spouse, domestic partner, or other relative has an interest in the Seller as an employee, partner, owner, investor, or similar roles, including negotiating the Seller contract. 
   
2. Gifts and Hospitality: Avoid giving gifts or providing lavish hospitality to The Shared Environment employees. If offering a gift or hospitality to an The Shared Environment employee, Sellers should use good judgement and ensure it complies with applicable laws, and is consistent with local customs. All gifts or hospitality exceeding a de minimis value ($50 USD) must be disclosed to The Shared Environment. 
   
3. Records Management: Accurately record, maintain, and report financial and business information. Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations regarding such information. 
4. External Communications: Do not speak publicly on The Shared Environment’s behalf unless authorised to do so by an executive or owner of The Shared Environment. Sellers are permitted to promote their own shops and listings on their own platforms, provided it does not violate our Off-Platform Transactions Policy.
5. Risk Management: Implement internal policies, procedures, and controls to identify, address, and remediate risks addressed in this Code of Conduct as well as applicable legal requirements. 
6. Training and Communication: Communicate this Code of Conduct to all employees or contractors who will be conducting business with The Shared Environment, and conduct training for employees, when necessary. 
   

5. Labor Practices

1. Anti-harassment and Unlawful Discrimination: Provide equal opportunity employment and maintain a respectful work environment that is free of discrimination, violence, harassment, retaliation, and intimidation. 
   
2. Human Rights: Respect human rights, provide fair working conditions. This includes a strict prohibition against forced, compulsory, or child labor, and all forms of modern slavery, including human trafficking. It is recommended that Sellers maintain and enforce robust human rights policies and regularly assess their systems for evaluating and managing their human rights impacts and strategy to reduce any negative impacts within their operations and supply chains. 
3. Compensation: Provide compensation (including overtime and benefits) that, at a minimum, complies with local laws. Sellers must pay their employees in a timely manner and provide documentation to them detailing the basis of their pay (e.g., paystub). 
4. Parental Leave: Abide by all applicable laws pertaining to parental leave, and offer paid benefits that are gender inclusive when possible. 
5. Freedom of Association: Abide by all applicable laws pertaining to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Do not retaliate against employees who choose to organise. 
   

6. Environmental Protection

1. Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations: Abide by all applicable laws for hazardous materials management and disposal, air emissions, waste, and wastewater treatment and discharge. 
   
2. Ecological Footprint: Conduct business in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, including: resource-efficient consumption of energy, water and other natural resources, minimising waste and prioritising waste diversion from landfills, and reducing harmful chemical use. It is recommended that suppliers have systems for managing, measuring and reporting their environmental impacts, and a strategy to reduce any negative impacts. 
   

7. Protection of Data, Intellectual Property, and Assets

1. Data Protection: Protect confidential and proprietary information of The Shared Environment, The Shared Environment employees, members, and others with whom we do business. Information should not be disclosed without proper authorization and should only be used for a legitimate business purpose. All information uses, retention practices, and disclosure to third parties must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and governing contracts. You can learn more about how The Shared Environment collects, uses, and protects the personal information of its Sellers in our Privacy Policy. 
   
2. Protect The Shared Environment’s Intellectual Property and Assets: Protect and use The Shared Environment’s intellectual property and tangible assets responsibly. The Shared Environment’s intellectual property (including name, logo, trademarks, trade secrets, album badges, peer review decisions, etc.) and tangible assets should only be used for legitimate business purposes and when authorised to do so by The Shared Environment. 
   

8. Reporting Concerns

1. Whistleblower Hotline: To report concerns about activity related to violations of this Seller Code of Conduct you may do so confidentially, anonymously (if desired), and free of retaliation. You may report violations to your contact at The Shared Environment or by raising a ticket with the Help Desk.