Valid from 01. August 2025
1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1. These general conditions for the use of inquiry systems (hereinafter named as General Conditions) of the Centre of Registers and Information Systems (hereinafter named as RIK) are an integral part of the contract for the use of inquiry systems, concluded by the person or institution who wishes to use the inquiry systems (hereinafter named as the Client).
1.2. The General Terms and Conditions apply as general provisions to all contracts for the use of query systems concluded on the basis of the General Terms and Conditions, which concern access to the following electronic databases managed or mediated by RIK (hereinafter: Databases): e-land register, e-business register and European Business Register (EBR).
1.3. In addition to the General Conditions in the contract for the use of inquiry systems and special conditions, the legal relationship between the Parties is governed by the legislation of the Republic of Estonia, also the service descriptions and user instructions and Data Protection Conditions established by RIK and published on the website www.rik.ee or introduced otherwise by RIK to the Client.
2. CONCLUSION OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE USE OF INQUIRY SYSTEMS
2.1. For the conclusion of the contract for the use of inquiry systems, the Client shall submit to RIK an electronic application through E-Business Register, presenting all the data requested by RIK therein. E-Business Register then generate special conditions, which together with The General Conditions, constitute contract for the use of inquiry systems. Client has the right to sign the contract via E-Business Register digitally, or in case of impossibility of digital signing the customer can sign the contract on paper by printing out the contract. In case Client signs the contract on paper, the signed contract must be sent to RIK.
2.2 Upon the conclusion of the contract for the use of inquiry systems, the Client is obliged to submit to RIK true, complete, and accurate data about themselves. During the execution of the contract, RIK shall have the right to request from the Client data and documents for the verification and updating of presented information.
2.3. A Client, who uses the inquiry systems for the execution of public law functions based on legal acts (hereinafter named also as the Institution), should disclose to RIK upon the conclusion of the contract for the use of inquiry systems, the type and scope of data required and the underlying provision of law, also the IP addresses of the Institution from which the inquiry systems will be used.
2.4. The contract on the use of inquiry systems is considered concluded from the moment the Client signs the contract on the use of inquiry systems. If the contract is signed on paper, the agreement will be valid for RIK from the moment the paper contract reaches RIK.2.5. The descriptions and conditions of the services provided by RIK are given on the website www.rik.ee. In the application for the conclusion of the contract for the use of inquiry systems it should be stated among other, if the Client wishes to have access to the European Business Register or would like to order other RIK extra services related to the use of inquiry systems. If the Client wishes to order extra services from RIK after the conclusion of the contract for the use of inquiry systems, or to stop buying a selected extra service, the Client should submit to RIK a respective signed application.
2.5 The descriptions and terms of the services provided by RIK are provided on the website www.rik.ee. When concluding an agreement for the use of query systems, it must be stated whether the Client wishes to access the services of the commercial register, land register services, the European Business Register (EBR) or use only the free e-business register API services. If the Client wishes to change the services ordered from RIK after concluding an agreement for the use of query systems, the Client must submit a corresponding, signed application to RIK or, if technically possible, change the services ordered in the query system on the contract management page.
3. ACCESS TO DATABASES
3.1. As a representative of the Client, the right to use the inquiry systems and to make inquiries from the Databases in the name and on behalf of the Client belongs to a natural person, who has been appointed by the Client as the person with the inquiry right (hereinafter named as the User).
3.2. When concluding an agreement for the use of query systems, the Client shall designate an administrator user who has the right, to the extent determined by RIK, to add and delete Users on behalf of the Client, to open and close services ordered by the Client for Users, and to change the Client's contact details. RIK has the right to require that the Client inform RIK of all Users' data. The Client must immediately notify RIK of all changes in the administrator user's data and, if technically possible, change the data on the contract management page in the query system.
3.3. Making inquiries to Databases through the inquiry systems requires the identification of the Client or User. In 4 (four) working days since the contract for the use of inquiry systems has entered into force, RIK shall issue to the Client the username and password necessary for using the inquiry systems. The Users, who are using the inquiry systems in the name of the Institution for free, should use a certificate (ID card, mobile ID or similar), which allows the digital identification of their persons, except for the exceptions provided in legislation.
3.4. The Client is liable for all the Users acting in Client`s name and shall ensure that a User acting in the name of the Client fulfils unwaveringly the conditions in the contract for the use of inquiry systems and in legislation, and the requirements established by RIK to the use of inquiry systems.
3.5. A User shall have the right to use only those passwords, which have been issued to him/her. The Client and the User undertake to keep in secrecy the usernames and passwords necessary for using the inquiry systems, and to apply other measures, which preclude the use of inquiry systems and making queries to Databases by third parties by means of the identification attributes of Users. In relation to RIK each user activity with the inquiry systems, which has been performed, using the identification attributes of a User shall be valid as an activity performed by the Client and the liability for that rests with the Client.
3.6. The Client undertakes to immediately change passwords in case of a doubt that the passwords have become known to third parties.
3.7 RIK has the right to close the services ordered by the Client to the User if the User has not made any requests in the request systems for 1 (one) year.
4. USING THE DATA
4.1. With the conclusion of the contract for the use of inquiry systems the Client confirms that it shall use the inquiry systems and data obtained from the Databases in compliance with valid legislation, in good faith and refraining from prejudiced action against RIK or third parties. The Client is prohibited from using the inquiry systems for the purpose of committing an offence.
4.2. Unless the Parties have separately agreed otherwise, the Client is prohibited from reselling or otherwise transferring data obtained from the European Business Register. When using data from the European Business Register, the Client must, in addition to the General Terms and Conditions, comply with the terms and conditions and restrictions established by the registers of various countries, which are published on the European Business Register sub-page in the e-business register or on the website www.rik.ee.
4.3. In the processing of the data obtained from Databases through the inquiry system, the Client is obliged to follow all the Estonian ja European requirements to the protection of personal data, including the restrictions to forwarding personal data to foreign countries.
5. FEE AND PAYMENT TERMS
5.1. The use of query systems is subject to a fee. Service fees are established by regulations of the Minister of Justice or by a directive of the Director of the RIK. Service fees are also published as a price list on the RIK website www.rik.ee. The Client has the right to use the services of the e-business register free of charge, except for the query of documents in the public file of a non-profit association. The Client has the right to use other query systems and Databases free of charge only in cases provided for in legislation.
5.2. The Client undertakes to pay the service fees related to the use of inquiry systems 1 (once) per month based on an invoice issued by RIK, pursuant to valid service fee rates and in compliance with the provisions of the General Conditions.
5.3. Unless agreed otherwise by the Parties, RIK shall forward the invoice to the Client only in the electronic form. The invoice shall be paid in 14 (fourteen) calendar days from the issuing of the invoice.
5.4. RIK shall have the right to impose a monetary limit on queries to the European Business Register. The accounting period of the limit is the calendar month and RIK shall have the right to suspend the access of the Client to the European Business Register after the limit has been reached. The limit is specified in special conditions to the contract for the use of inquiry systems, and for changing the limit after the conclusion of the contract the Client should submit a written or digitally signed application to RIK. RIK shall have the right to refuse from increasing the limit.
5.6. The Client shall be notified about changes in the service fees through the RIK website www.rik.ee at least 30 (thirty) calendar days before the changes take effect. The abovenamed notice period shall not be applied in case of changes that involve the reduction of service fees or addition of new services to the price list.
5.7. An invoice shall be deemed paid, when the whole amount presented in the invoice has arrived on the bank account indicated in the invoice. In case of delay with the payment, RIK shall have the right to request from the Client a fine of 0.02% of the outstanding amount for each calendar day of delay.
5.8. Upon the development of arrears, the RIK first sends the Client a reminder, which is issued when 14(fourteen) calendar days have passed from the payment deadline of an invoice with a specified payment deadline of 14 (fourteen) calendar days. If the claim in the reminder is not fulfilled, a second reminder will be sent to the Client with a payment deadline of 14 (fourteen) calendar days. At that same time that the second reminder is sent out, the Client’s access to the search systems will be restricted until the arrears are eliminated (access restriction will be terminated within 3 workdays of the elimination of the arrears) and the contract shall be suspended. If the claim is not fulfilled by the payment deadline specified in the second reminder, the Client will be sent the third reminder for immediate fulfillment. If the claim is not satisfied, the third reminder is a declaration of the termination of the contract and the contract is terminated by the RIK in 5 (five) calendar days as of the issuance of reminder no. 3.
5.9. The Client is obliged to compensate RIK for costs related to the collection of debts from the Client, incl. for the assistance of persons acting as the representatives of RIK in the collection of debts.
5.10. Amounts overpaid by the Client will be calculated as a prepayment for the next invoice. An amount overpaid by the Client, which is less than € 11.50, will be calculated as a prepayment without notifying the Client thereof. If the amount is greater than € 11.50, the RIK will notify the Client latest by the last day of the corresponding quarter pursuant to the procedure prescribed in clause 9.2. If the Client wishes to have the overpaid amount refunded, the RIK will refund the overpaid amount to the bank account specified by the Client. Upon the termination of a contract, the RIK will refund the overpaid amount to the Client.
6. MAINTENANCE OF INQUIRY SYSTEMS
6.1. RIK devotes all their efforts to ensure the faultless operation of inquiry systems.
6.2. RIK shall have the right to restrict partially or completely the access of the Client to the inquiry systems
for the works necessary for the repair or maintenance of the latter. RIK shall inform the Client about planned interruptions through the inquiry system or on the website www.rik.ee. at the earliest possible opportunity. During the maintenance of the inquiry system, the fulfilment of the contractual obligations of RIK to the Client is suspended and RIK shall not be responsible for compensating the Client for possible damages incurred with the nonfulfillment of obligations arising from the contract for the use of inquiry systems due to the above-named reason.
6.3. RIK may establish service requirements of inquiry systems, which are published on the website www.rik.ee and form the grounds for the provision of services and maintenance of inquiry systems by RIK. The operating requirements of inquiry systems are published for information purposes and are not appendixes to the contract for the use of inquiry systems.
6.4. RIK shall have the right to monitor the use of inquiry systems by the Client, and issue letters of inquiry with mandatory execution about the lawfulness of the usage of inquiry systems and Databases.
6.5. The Client and User are prohibited from conducting any activities, which could jeopardize the inquiry systems or the security of the Databases. RIK shall have the right to immediately restrict the access of the Client to inquiry systems, should RIK have doubts about the security of the activities of the Client.
6.6. The Client is not permitted to use programs in query systems that are not intended for general-purpose Internet browsing or whose operation is not directly controlled by a person. Special-purpose programs include scripts, robots and automated tools or programs that are not intended for Internet browsing. The restrictions specified in this provision do not extend to programs and extensions intended to enable accessibility to the Database and do not apply within the limits of those websites for which an agreement has been concluded to use XML services.
6.7. In connection with inquiry systems, RIK shall have the right to introduce unilaterally any changes, including those which result in changed functionality, design, structure, internet address (URL), security elements, etc. of inquiry systems, also to change or supplement the content or composition of services or to finish the provision of some service. The Client shall be notified about respective changes on the RIK website www.rik.ee.
7. SUSPENSION OF THE CONTRACT AND RESTRICTION OF ACCESS
7.1. The Client has the right to request RIK to suspend the validity of the contract for the use of query systems by submitting a written or digitally signed application to RIK. RIK will suspend the validity of the contract no later than 5 (five) working days after receiving the application. The validity of the contract will be restored based on the Client's written application. If the Client has not expressed a desire to restore the validity of the contract within 1 (one) year from the date of suspension of the contract, the contract for the use of query systems shall be deemed to have terminated.
7.2. In addition to the provisions in subsections 5.8, 6.2 and 6.5 of the General Conditions, RIK can restrict the use of inquiry systems by the Client in case
7.2.1. The Client violates the requirements in subsection 6.6 of the General Conditions or has used the inquiry systems in some other way that disturbs other users, the functionality of inquiry systems, or has misused the inquiry systems or Databases in some other way;
7.2.2 The Client commits a significant infringement of other requirements in the contract for the use of inquiry systems and has not eliminated the infringement in 5 (five) calendar days from receiving a respective request from RIK.
7.3 If RIK has not terminated the contract in accordance with clause 8.3 of the General Terms and Conditions, RIK will restore the possibility of using the query systems to the Client within 2 (two) business days if the circumstances specified in clause 7.2 of the General Terms and Conditions have ceased to exist and the Client has paid all debts that have become due to RIK and notified RIK of the payment of the debt.
8. TERM AND EXPIRY OF THE CONTRACT
8.1. The contract for the use of inquiry systems has been concluded for an unspecified term. The contract may be terminated on the initiative of the Client or RIK or with a written agreement between the Parties.
8.2. The Parties shall have the right for ordinary termination of the contract for the use of inquiry systems, at any time and irrespective of the reasons, notifying the other Party thereof in writing in 5 (five) calendar days in advance.
8.3. RIK shall have the right to cancel the contract without following the term of notice specified in subsection 8.2, if the reason for cancelling the contract are the grounds provided in subsections 5.8, 6.5, 6.6 or 7.2 of the General Conditions.
8.4 RIK has the right to terminate the contract for the use of query systems if the Client has not made any queries in the query systems for 1 (one) year, notifying the Client thereof 5 (five) calendar days in advance. If the Client has not expressed a wish to continue the contract after 5 (five) calendar days have passed, the contract shall be deemed to have automatically terminated.
8.5 The Agreement shall be deemed to have automatically terminated from the moment the Client is deleted from the e-business register.
9. NOTIFICATION OBLIGATION
9.1. The Client undertakes to notify RIK of any changes to its data and to forward the new data to RIK without delay to the contact address indicated by RIK or, if technically possible, to change the data on the contract management page in the query system. RIK shall notify of any changes to its contact data on the query system website or on the website www.rik.ee. Until the other Party has notified the contrary, each Party has the right to assume that the contact data has not been changed, nor have the rights of the administrator user or Users been changed or revoked.
9.2. Informative notices related to the contract may be sent to the other Party also by e-mail. Notices, which entail legal consequences, should be effected in writing and delivered against signature or by mail or digitally signed by e-mail, if not specified otherwise in the General Conditions.
10. SANCTIONS
10.1. RIK shall be liable only in case of intentional violation of the contract for the use of inquiry systems, in which case the Client shall have the right to request from RIK for the compensation of direct material damages caused with the respective violation. RIK shall not be liable for any other damages that may be incurred by the Client and shall not be obliged to compensate for the loss of profit, costs related to interruption in business activities or reduction in profits or other similar damages.
10.2. The Client shall be responsible for the material damages caused to RIK with a violation of the contract. The Client shall not be responsible for damages caused by force majeure circumstances. Force majeure shall be defined by the Parties as stipulated in the provisions of the Law of Obligations Act.
10.3. In case of the violation of Client's obligations provided in the General Conditions, RIK shall have the right to request from the Client contractual penalty in the amount of up to 10,000 (ten thousand) euros for each violation, and for the compensation of the caused damages.
11. OTHER CONDITIONS
11.1 If the obligation of disclosure has not been stipulated in legislation, the Parties should keep in secrecy the confidential information about the other Party, which became known to them in connection with the conclusion and execution of the contract for the use of inquiry systems, especially information about the business activities of the Client, technical solutions and security requirements related to the execution of the contract, and other sensitive information, which is not available in public. The prescribed confidentiality obligation is valid without a term.
11.2 These General Conditions shall enter into force on 10.06.2011. On the same date the redaction of the General Terms for Issue of Data from the Databases of the Centre of Registers and Information Systems, which was confirmed with the RIK director's directive No. 59 from 11.06.2007, shall become invalid.
11.3 RIK shall have the right to change and supplement the General Conditions. Information about changes is provided on the RIK website www.rik.ee or through mass media or by other reasonable method at least 30 (thirty) calendar days before the changes take effect. If the Client has not cancelled the contract in 30 (thirty) calendar days from the issue of the notice about changes in the General Conditions, then their silence shall be deemed as a declaration of acceptance of the respective changes and as an acknowledgement to hold thereby no complaints about the changes in the General Conditions. These General Conditions become an integral part of the contract and mandatory for the Parties from the day of entering into force.
11.4 Claims by the Client should be addressed to RIK. Disputes between the Parties are strived to be settled by means of negotiations. Should the negotiations bring no results, the disputes shall be settled pursuant to the legislation of the Republic of Estonia. If a consumer Client has first filed a claim with RIK and there is no consensus on resolving the dispute, the consumer has the right to turn to the Consumer Disputes Committee of the Consumer Protection and Technical Surveillance Authority to resolve the dispute.