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Acceptance

What is acceptance? Definition and meaning

Acceptance is a legal act and takes place at the end of a project. With it, the client certifies that the contractor has delivered the agreed service in accordance with the contract and has thus fulfilled their order. Acceptance is an important milestone in the project, as it is the point at which the client decides whether the objectives have been achieved. Several acceptances can take place during a project, e.g. when project phases have been completed or individual project milestones have been reached. For example, the project plan can undergo acceptance, as can concepts or other partial results. Good project management allows a successful acceptance to be planned in advance.

Acceptance vs reduction: which one is meant

In everyday language, “acceptance” (in German “Abnahme”) often stands for a reduction or a decline, such as weight loss or a drop in temperature. The technical inspection by an expert, for example a vehicle roadworthiness test, also carries this name. In the project and contract context, however, it refers to the legal act by which the client confirms that a service rendered is in accordance with the contract.

Granting acceptance also has legal consequences, such as:

  • The work passes into the ownership of the client.
  • A transfer of liability takes place; the client is responsible for damage caused by the work.
  • The burden of proof for defects in the work lies with the client.
  • Payment becomes due.

The acceptance of interim results during the course of a project generally has no legally binding character.

Acceptance Report

The result of the acceptance inspection by the client is usually recorded in an acceptance report. The acceptance inspection can have different outcomes, such as:

  • Acceptance without reservations, i.e. no defects were found.
  • Acceptance with reservations, i.e. minor defects were found, for which a list of defects is drawn up with a deadline for remediation (formerly: rectification).
  • Refusal of acceptance due to significant defects.
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Frequently asked questions

What is an acceptance report?
The acceptance report records the outcome of the acceptance inspection. It may be an acceptance without reservations, an acceptance with reservations including a list of defects and a deadline, or a refusal of acceptance due to significant defects.
How can acceptance be planned?
A successful acceptance can be planned in advance with good project management, for example when project phases are completed or individual project milestones are reached.