Terms and Conditions

1Who We Are

These Terms and Conditions govern access to and use of the website sanmarkkamlife.org and the Solidarity Emporium operated by Sanmarkkam Life APS, a non-profit organisation registered as an Associazione di Promozione Sociale under Italian Law 383/2000, registered with the Italian Revenue Agency with Tax Code (C.F.) 93099380433, based in Macerata, Italy.

Contact: international@sanmarkkamlife.org

By accessing this website or requesting any product or service through the Solidarity Emporium, you agree to these Terms and Conditions in full.

2Nature of Our Activity

Sanmarkkam Life APS is a non-profit association operating exclusively for purposes of social promotion, free education, and active compassion. All activities are conducted in accordance with the principle of gratuity under Art. 10, Presidential Decree 633/72.

The Solidarity Emporium is not a commercial shop. Products are offered as part of our associative mission. Suggested contributions cover real costs transparently published on each product page. Every product is available at €0 upon request. For requests at no contribution, we ask only for a brief word about your situation, so that these limited resources reach those who need them most.

Any surplus generated through voluntary contributions is devoted exclusively to our statutory purposes: free food distribution, free education, and free sharing of knowledge about the Suddha Sanmarkkam tradition.

3Eligibility

By using this website you confirm that:

• You are at least 18 years of age
• You are accessing this site for lawful purposes
• The information you provide is accurate and complete
• You will not use this site or its products for any commercial resale or exploitative purpose

4Product Categories

The Solidarity Emporium offers four distinct categories of products. Different terms, disclaimers, and conditions apply to each category as described below.

4.1 Food Products

Seeraga Samba Rice, Toor Dal, culinary spices, and similar products

These products are offered as food products in compliance with EU Regulation 178/2002 on food safety and EU Regulation 1169/2011 on food information to consumers. Each food product page includes ingredients, origin, net weight, and storage instructions.

Food products from India are subject to EU import regulations and standard customs procedures. All food products offered through the Solidarity Emporium are sourced in good faith and handled with appropriate care during packaging and shipping.

4.2 Culinary Herbs and Food-Grade Botanical Products

Moringa, Centella asiatica / Vallarai, Purified Ginger Powder, and similar products

These products are offered as culinary herbs and food-grade botanical products, not as medicines, medicinal products, or food supplements under EU Directive 2002/46/EC. They are the same plants widely used as culinary ingredients and herbal teas across India, Southeast Asia, and increasingly across Europe.

Product pages include descriptions of traditional and historical uses drawn from classical Siddha, Ayurvedic, and other traditional sources. These descriptions are provided for cultural and educational context only and do not constitute medical advice, therapeutic claims, or health promises.

4.3 Siddha Herbs for Cultural and Study Purposes

Thoothulai, Musumusukkai, Mookotu Chooranam, Potralai Kayanthakarai, and similar products

These products are offered exclusively for devotional, cultural, historical, collectionist, and study purposes in connection with the Tamil Siddha tradition and the path of Suddha Sanmarkkam. They are not food products, food supplements, medicines, medicinal products, or cosmetics.

Product pages include descriptions of traditional and historical properties as documented in classical Siddha texts and related literature. These descriptions are provided for cultural and educational context only. No health claims are made.

4.4 Digital and Educational Products

PDFs, translations, educational materials, and similar resources

Digital products, including our translations and study materials, are offered as a gift. You are free to read, copy, print, and share them, in whole or in part, at no cost and without asking permission. We ask only that you keep them freely available to others, preserve the content faithfully, and write to us first if you wish to adapt or change it. See Sharing and Reuse below.

Digital products are delivered electronically following confirmation of your request, typically within 48 hours.

5Solidarity Contributions

5.1 Voluntary Nature

Suggested contributions are voluntary. They are not prices in the commercial sense. The solidarity pricing transparency table published on each product page shows the real direct cost of each item. You may request any product at €0. For requests at no contribution, we ask only for a brief reason, so that these limited resources reach those who need them most.

5.2 Payment Processing

Where a voluntary contribution is made, payments are processed securely by Stripe, PayPal, or DonorBox. Sanmarkkam Life APS does not store payment card data on its servers. By making a payment you agree to the terms of the relevant payment processor.

5.3 Tax Status

Voluntary contributions to Sanmarkkam Life APS fall outside the scope of VAT in accordance with Art. 4, para. 5, Presidential Decree 633/72. All proceeds are devoted exclusively to our statutory purposes of social promotion and solidarity.

6Shipping and Delivery

6.1 Physical Products

Physical products are shipped from India to Europe via international logistics. Estimated delivery times are 15–35 business days from dispatch. These are estimates only; actual delivery times may vary due to customs processing, international postal delays, or other factors outside our control.

Sanmarkkam Life APS is not responsible for delays caused by customs authorities, postal services, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

6.2 Customs and Import Duties

Import duties, taxes, or customs fees that may be applied by your country’s authorities are the responsibility of the recipient. Sanmarkkam Life APS cannot predict or control customs decisions.

6.3 Digital Products

Digital products are delivered electronically following confirmation of your request, typically within 48 hours.

6.4 Failed Delivery

If a physical product cannot be delivered due to an incorrect address provided by the requester, redelivery costs are the responsibility of the requester.

7Right of Withdrawal and Returns

7.1 Nature of Solidarity Transactions

Transactions through the Solidarity Emporium are voluntary contributions to a recognised non-profit APS, not commercial purchases in the sense of the Italian Consumer Code (D.Lgs. 206/2005). As such, the standard 14-day right of withdrawal applicable to commercial distance contracts does not automatically apply to solidarity contributions made to a non-profit association in the exercise of its statutory mission, in accordance with Italian Law 383/2000 and Presidential Decree 633/72.

7.2 Our Commitment

Notwithstanding the above, Sanmarkkam Life APS is committed to fairness and good faith. We will consider requests for refund or return in the following circumstances:

• The product received is significantly different from what was described
• The product arrived in damaged or unusable condition (photographic evidence required within 7 days of receipt)
• The product was not delivered within 60 days of the confirmed dispatch date
• A food product presents a genuine safety concern

In these cases, write to international@sanmarkkamlife.org with your order details and we will respond within 14 days.

7.3 Non-Refundable Circumstances

The following are not grounds for refund or return:

• Change of mind after dispatch
• Dissatisfaction with the cultural, devotional, or study nature of a product clearly described as such on the product page
• Requests made after 60 days from confirmed delivery
• Products that have been opened, used, or altered
• Digital products that have been downloaded or accessed
• Customs delays or import duty charges

7.4 Abuse Prevention

Sanmarkkam Life APS reserves the right to cancel and refund any request deemed financially unsustainable, malicious, unreasonable, suspicious, or otherwise abusive of the association’s spirit and resources. This includes repeated requests at €0 for commercial resale purposes or systematic exploitation of the solidarity model. We reserve the right to decline future requests from individuals who have abused the solidarity model.

8Sharing and Reuse

The teachings of Ramalinga Swamigal belong to all humanity, and we offer our translations, commentaries, and materials in the same spirit. We place no barrier on their sharing. You are free to read, copy, print, translate, and distribute our texts and materials, in whole or in part, for any peaceful purpose, at no cost and without seeking permission.

We ask only, out of respect for the teachings and for those who receive them after you: keep what was given freely free, so it is never sold for profit; preserve the content faithfully and do not distort its meaning; and, if you wish to adapt or change it, write to us first so we can help you do so with care.

The name and emblem of Sanmarkkam Life APS identify our association. Please do not use them in a way that suggests our endorsement or that could misrepresent who we are.

9Disclaimer of Liability

9.1 Product Use

Products are provided for the purposes described in Section 4. Sanmarkkam Life APS makes no warranties regarding the suitability of any product for any particular purpose beyond those stated. No health, therapeutic, or medical claims are made for any product in categories 4.3 and 4.4.

9.2 Website Availability

We endeavour to keep this website available at all times but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access. We are not liable for any loss resulting from temporary unavailability of the site.

9.3 Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites. Sanmarkkam Life APS is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of any third-party site.

9.4 Affiliate and Referral Links

Some links on this website are affiliate or referral links. If you visit a partner’s website through such a link and choose to use their paid service, Sanmarkkam Life APS may receive a referral contribution at no additional cost to you. The price you pay is never affected. We link only to organisations whose values align with our mission, and any contribution received in this way is devoted exclusively to our statutory purposes. Affiliate relationships do not influence the content of our teachings, our editorial choices, or the products offered through the Solidarity Emporium. You may reach any partner directly, without using our links.

10Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by Italian law. Any dispute arising from or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Macerata (Tribunale di Macerata), Italy, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer protection rights under applicable European law.

11Modifications

Sanmarkkam Life APS reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will be published on this page with an updated date. Continued use of the website following any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

12Community-Contributed Products

Products listed under the “Community Contributions” category are offered by third-party contributors. Sanmarkkam Life applies quality criteria prior to listing but is not the manufacturer of these items. The contributor assumes full responsibility for the accuracy of product information and compliance with the stated acceptance criteria. Sanmarkkam Life reserves the right to remove any listing at its sole discretion and without prior notice.

13Contact

For any questions regarding these Terms and Conditions:

Sanmarkkam Life APS
📧 international@sanmarkkamlife.org
🌐 sanmarkkamlife.org