EcoSouk Maker Terms & Conditions

1. About EcoSouk

EcoSouk is a curated multi-merchant marketplace for environmental artisans, makers, growers and small-batch producers in Lebanon.

The marketplace provides a collective platform for ecological alternatives, natural and bio-based products, traditional and contemporary crafts, locally rooted production and circular ways of making and living.

Approved Makers receive their own merchant profile and storefront through which they can present their practice and upload and manage their products.

EcoSouk provides the collective marketplace infrastructure, online payment system, order coordination, customer service, promotion and nationwide shipping coordination.

2. Maker Applications & Approval

All Makers must apply through: the EcoSouk maker application.

Applications are reviewed by EcoSouk before approval.

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. EcoSouk may accept or decline an application or request additional information about a Maker, product, material, ingredient, production method, packaging or environmental claim before approval.

There is no application fee, listing fee or storefront setup fee.

EcoSouk may periodically review existing Maker accounts and product listings to ensure continued alignment with the marketplace.

3. Product & Maker Criteria

EcoSouk is specifically intended for small-batch environmental artisans, makers, growers and producers rather than mass-produced goods.

EcoSouk prioritises products and practices that contribute to lower-impact, circular and locally rooted ways of living and making.

• locally made and small-batch products;
• handmade and artisanal products;
• natural and bio-based materials;
• reusable and refillable products;
• upcycled and waste-derived products;
• low-waste and zero-waste alternatives;
• locally grown, harvested, foraged or produced goods;
• traditional crafts and locally rooted making practices;
• natural household and personal-care products;
• products supporting repair, reuse, cultivation and collective self-sufficiency.

Synthetic products and products made from synthetic materials are not eligible for EcoSouk.

Where a product necessarily contains a minor functional component that is not produced by the Maker, such as existing hardware, a closure or another component that cannot reasonably be substituted, this must be clearly disclosed and may be reviewed by EcoSouk on a case-by-case basis.

This exception does not extend to products whose primary material or substance is synthetic.

Makers must accurately represent their materials, ingredients, origins, production methods and environmental attributes.

EcoSouk reserves the right to decline or remove products that do not align with the marketplace's environmental, ethical, material or quality criteria.

4. Small-Batch Production & Availability

EcoSouk recognises that ecological and artisanal production does not operate like mass manufacturing.

Makers are not required to maintain continuous stock or large inventories in order to participate in EcoSouk.

We encourage Makers to produce according to realistic demand, material availability and the natural rhythms of their processes rather than creating unnecessary excess inventory.

Products may therefore be listed as:

• In Stock — currently available for purchase and fulfilment.
• Currently in the Making — temporarily unavailable while the Maker produces, grows, harvests, ferments, crafts, cures or otherwise prepares the next batch.
• Made to Order — produced following an order, with an approximate production time communicated to the customer.
• Seasonal — available according to growing, harvesting, production or material cycles.

A product that is temporarily unavailable may remain visible on EcoSouk with a “Currently in the Making” or equivalent notice rather than being removed from the Maker's storefront.

This approach recognises that natural, artisanal and small-batch production may depend on seasons, harvests, fermentation and growing periods, curing and drying times, material availability and the time required to make products responsibly.

5. Maker Storefront

Approved Makers are responsible for maintaining their own EcoSouk storefront.

This includes maintaining accurate:

• Maker or business information;
• product titles and descriptions;
• photographs;
• prices;
• product availability;
• materials and/or ingredients where relevant;
• sizes, weights and variants;
• production or lead times where applicable;
• product-use information where necessary; and
• relevant warnings, storage or care instructions.

Information provided by Makers must be accurate and reasonably up to date.

EcoSouk may edit formatting, categorisation, spelling or presentation where necessary to maintain consistency and quality across the marketplace.

Material changes to the substance of a Maker's product information should not be made without consultation with the Maker.

6. Pricing

Makers determine the retail selling price of their products.

Prices displayed on EcoSouk are the prices charged to customers unless a promotion or discount has been agreed.

Makers are responsible for setting prices that account for EcoSouk's commission.

7. EcoSouk Commission

EcoSouk retains a 30% commission on the product selling price of each completed sale.

The Maker receives 70% of the product selling price.

For example:

• Product selling price: USD 100
• EcoSouk commission: USD 30
• Maker amount: USD 70

Delivery charges paid by customers are separate from the product selling price and are not included when calculating the Maker's 70% share unless otherwise agreed.

There are no application, listing, monthly membership or storefront fees unless the Maker separately agrees to an additional paid service.

8. Payments to Makers

EcoSouk collects customer payments through the payment methods available through EcoSouk, including online payment and Cash on Delivery where available.

Maker balances become payable after the relevant customer transaction has been successfully completed and payment has been received by EcoSouk.

Maker payments are reconciled and paid quarterly as standard.

Makers who require more frequent payment may request monthly payment by informing EcoSouk. Once agreed, monthly payment will remain the Maker's payment schedule unless otherwise requested or agreed.

EcoSouk may temporarily withhold the amount associated with an order where that order is unpaid, cancelled, disputed, returned, refunded or otherwise under investigation.

Each Maker is responsible for providing EcoSouk with accurate and up-to-date payment information.

9. Orders & Stock

Makers are responsible for keeping the availability status of their products reasonably up to date.

EcoSouk does not require Makers to maintain continuous stock.

When a product is unavailable, the Maker should update its status to Currently in the Making, Made to Order, Seasonal, or another applicable availability status rather than representing the product as immediately available.

For products listed as In Stock, the Maker should ensure that the item can be prepared for collection, handover or dispatch within the normal fulfilment period.

For Made to Order products, the expected production time should be clearly communicated through the product listing so that customers understand the expected timeframe before purchasing.

If an In Stock item is unexpectedly unavailable after an order has been placed, the Maker must inform EcoSouk promptly.

EcoSouk can then communicate with the customer regarding waiting for the next batch, selecting an alternative product or receiving a refund.

Occasional changes in availability are understood as a normal part of small-batch production and will not negatively affect a Maker's participation in EcoSouk.

Repeatedly accepting orders for products represented as immediately available when the Maker knows they cannot be fulfilled may result in the relevant listing being temporarily paused.

10. Shipping, Delivery & Order Fulfilment

EcoSouk manages and coordinates customer shipping and delivery across Lebanon.

Depending on the order, Maker location, products purchased and available delivery arrangements, EcoSouk may determine the most appropriate fulfilment method for each order.

Orders may be fulfilled through one or more of the following methods:

• Direct Maker Dispatch — the Maker prepares the product for an EcoSouk-coordinated courier to collect and deliver directly to the customer.
• EcoSouk Consolidated Dispatch — products from one or more Makers are collected or delivered to an EcoSouk-designated location, consolidated into a customer order and dispatched together.
• EcoSouk Dispatch — products already held by EcoSouk are prepared and dispatched directly to the customer.
• Other Agreed Fulfilment — another collection, handover or fulfilment arrangement agreed between EcoSouk and the Maker.

EcoSouk may choose or change the fulfilment method according to what is practical for a particular order, including the number and location of Makers involved, customer destination, product characteristics, delivery costs and EcoSouk's available operational capacity.

Makers are not required to independently organise or pay for customer shipping unless a different arrangement has specifically been agreed with EcoSouk.

Where an order is dispatched directly from a Maker, EcoSouk may provide the Maker with the information reasonably necessary to prepare the order and enable delivery to the customer. Customer information may only be used for fulfilment of that EcoSouk order and remains subject to Section 17 of these Terms.

Makers are responsible for having confirmed products ready for collection, dispatch or handover within the agreed timeframe and for notifying EcoSouk promptly if additional production time is required.

Products must be appropriately prepared and protected for transportation. EcoSouk may provide packaging or packing guidance where necessary to maintain appropriate presentation and reduce damage or unnecessary packaging.

Where a customer purchases products from multiple Makers, EcoSouk may choose to consolidate those products into one shipment or arrange separate deliveries depending on what is operationally and economically appropriate.

EcoSouk may establish designated collection and dispatch days, consolidated delivery schedules or other fulfilment procedures in order to reduce unnecessary transport and manage marketplace operations efficiently.

Fulfilment and delivery procedures may evolve as EcoSouk grows. EcoSouk will communicate material operational changes to participating Makers.

11. Packaging

Packaging should reflect EcoSouk's environmental principles wherever reasonably possible.

Makers are expected to minimise unnecessary packaging and prioritise reusable, returnable, recyclable, compostable, natural or otherwise lower-impact materials.

Unnecessary single-use plastic and excessive packaging should be avoided.

EcoSouk may request packaging changes where a Maker's packaging is inconsistent with the environmental principles of the marketplace.

Where EcoSouk provides additional packaging required for customer delivery, associated packaging costs may be incorporated into delivery charges or otherwise communicated to the Maker where applicable.

12. Returns, Damaged & Incorrect Products

EcoSouk manages customer communication regarding returns, damaged goods and incorrect orders.

Makers are responsible for supplying products that correspond accurately to their listings and are in appropriate condition at the time they are handed over for fulfilment.

Where a refund or replacement results from a defective, incorrect or materially misrepresented Maker product, or from damage occurring before the product was handed over for delivery, the relevant Maker amount may be deducted from the Maker's outstanding balance.

Where damage or loss is attributable to courier handling or another service provider, EcoSouk will address the matter with the relevant provider where possible.

13. Product Safety & Legal Compliance

Makers are responsible for ensuring that their products comply with applicable requirements relating to their production, labelling and sale.

Where relevant, Makers must provide accurate:

• ingredient information;
• allergen information;
• safety warnings;
• expiry or best-before dates;
• storage instructions;
• usage instructions; and
• product labelling.

Makers must inform EcoSouk immediately of any known product safety concern or recall.

EcoSouk's approval of a product for listing does not transfer responsibility for the safety, legality or accuracy of that product from the Maker to EcoSouk.

14. Environmental Claims & Transparency

Environmental integrity is fundamental to EcoSouk.

Claims including “natural,” “organic,” “non-toxic,” “biodegradable,” “compostable,” “plastic-free,” “zero waste,” “locally sourced,” “recycled,” “upcycled,” “bio-based” or similar environmental claims must be truthful and capable of being reasonably substantiated.

Makers must be transparent about the materials, ingredients and processes used to make their products.

EcoSouk may request clarification or supporting information before approving or publishing environmental claims.

EcoSouk may edit or remove environmental claims that are unclear, misleading or unsupported.

15. Intellectual Property & Maker Content

Makers retain ownership of their brands, product designs, photographs and other original content.

By uploading photographs, descriptions and other content to EcoSouk, the Maker grants EcoSouk a non-exclusive permission to use that content for the operation and promotion of EcoSouk and the Maker's participation in the marketplace.

This may include use through:

• EcoSouk;
• EcoSouk social media;
• newsletters;
• marketplace campaigns;
• press and communications;
• editorial features; and
• other EcoSouk promotional material.

This permission continues while the Maker or relevant products participate in EcoSouk and for reasonable archival documentation of EcoSouk's activities.

EcoSouk does not acquire ownership of a Maker's intellectual property through marketplace participation.

16. Independent Makers & Non-Exclusivity

Participation in EcoSouk is non-exclusive.

Makers remain independent businesses or practitioners and may sell their products through their own channels and through other marketplaces, shops or retailers.

Participation in EcoSouk does not create an employment, partnership, agency, franchise or joint-venture relationship between the Maker and EcoSouk / Recycle Lebanon.

Makers may not represent themselves as employees, agents or legal representatives of EcoSouk or Recycle Lebanon unless expressly authorised to do so.

17. Customer Information & Privacy

Customer information received through EcoSouk may only be used where necessary to fulfil an EcoSouk order.

Makers must respect customer privacy and may not sell, distribute, disclose or independently use EcoSouk customer information for unrelated marketing or commercial purposes without appropriate customer consent.

Customer and marketplace data collected through EcoSouk remains subject to EcoSouk's applicable privacy policies and procedures.

18. EcoSouk Brand

The EcoSouk name, identity, marketplace, branding and associated materials remain the property of EcoSouk / Recycle Lebanon.

Participation as a Maker does not grant a Maker the right to reproduce, imitate or use EcoSouk branding for unrelated commercial activities.

Approved Makers may identify themselves as selling through EcoSouk while actively participating in the marketplace.

19. Promotions & Discounts

EcoSouk may organise collective marketplace campaigns, seasonal promotions, special collections or other promotional activities.

Where participation in a promotion would reduce the Maker's agreed product price or 70% Maker share, the Maker's agreement will be obtained before participation unless the Maker has previously opted into that type of promotion.

EcoSouk may independently reduce its own commission as part of a promotion without reducing the Maker's agreed amount.

20. Account or Product Suspension

EcoSouk may temporarily suspend a product listing or Maker account where necessary because of:

• repeated inability to fulfil confirmed orders;
• intentionally inaccurate stock or availability information;
• misleading product or environmental claims;
• undisclosed synthetic materials;
• product safety concerns;
• serious or repeated customer complaints;
• misuse of customer information;
• fraudulent activity;
• infringement of intellectual property;
• products no longer meeting EcoSouk's environmental or material criteria; or
• serious or repeated breach of these Maker Terms.

Where reasonably possible, EcoSouk will contact the Maker and provide an opportunity to resolve the issue before permanently removing an account.

EcoSouk reserves the right to remove a product immediately where there is a safety, legal, fraud or serious reputational concern.

21. Leaving EcoSouk

A Maker may request to close their storefront and discontinue selling through EcoSouk.

Any outstanding confirmed orders must still be fulfilled unless another arrangement is agreed with EcoSouk and the customer.

EcoSouk will reconcile outstanding eligible Maker balances following account closure according to the normal payment schedule or another agreed arrangement.

EcoSouk may likewise discontinue a Maker's participation where these Terms are breached or where the Maker or products no longer align with the environmental, material, ethical or quality criteria of the marketplace.

22. Changes to These Terms

EcoSouk may update these Maker Terms as the marketplace, delivery systems and services develop.

Material changes affecting Maker commissions, payments or responsibilities will be communicated to participating Makers.

Continued use of EcoSouk following notification of updated Terms constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

23. Contact

Questions regarding Maker applications, accounts, orders or these Maker Terms can be directed to:

EcoSouk / Recycle Lebanon
Website: EcoSouk
Maker application: Apply as a Maker

Maker Acceptance

By submitting a Maker application and, following approval, activating and using an EcoSouk Maker account, the Maker confirms that they have read, understood and agree to these EcoSouk Maker Terms & Conditions.

I have read and agree to the EcoSouk Maker Terms & Conditions.