Abnahmedatum

Abnahmedatum is a German term meaning the date on which a delivered good or performed service is formally accepted by the recipient. The date is usually recorded in an Abnahmeprotokoll (acceptance protocol) and marks the moment when liability, risk, and sometimes payment obligations transfer from the supplier to the customer, as well as when warranty periods commonly begin.

Use and scope

The Abnahmedatum is used across procurement, construction, manufacturing, and IT projects as a project milestone. It follows testing or verification steps (the Abnahmeprüfung) and may apply to the entire scope or to individual components or milestones. If acceptance is conditional on meeting contractual requirements, the date may be postponed until defects are resolved or until a new, agreed date is established.

Process

During the acceptance process, the buyer reviews conformity with contract specifications, drawings, tolerances, and performance criteria. If the item meets the requirements, they sign the Abnahmeprotokoll to establish the date of acceptance. If defects are found, they are documented, and acceptance can be delayed, granted conditionally, or split into partial acceptances. In some contracts, failure to object within a defined period constitutes deemed acceptance.

Legal and commercial consequences

The Abnahmedatum typically triggers the start of warranty periods, the transfer of risk, and the fulfillment of payment terms. It may also influence retention payments, release of guarantees, and invoicing. Clear definition of the date in contracts helps prevent disputes and clarifies liability.

Related terms

Related concepts include Abnahme (acceptance), Abnahmeprotokoll (acceptance protocol), and Lieferdatum (delivery date). The precise implications of Abnahmedatum can vary by jurisdiction and contract type.