Website Terms of Use

Effective date: 24 June 2026

1. About These Terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the website at globalclimbingstandard.com (and any subdomains), the GCS mobile applications, and any related digital services (together, the "Platform") operated by Global Climbing Standard Ltd ("GCS", "we", "us", or "our").

By accessing or using the Platform, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

These Terms should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, which are incorporated by reference.

2. About Us

Global Climbing Standard Ltd is a limited company registered in Gibraltar, trading as Global Climbing Standard. Company number xxxxxx with registered address Suite 4.3.02, Eurotowers, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA.

You can contact us by email at hello@globalclimbingstandard.com.

3. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, our services, or our business practices. We will notify registered users of material changes by email and/or a notice on the Platform at least 14 days before they take effect. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

The current version of these Terms, with its effective date, is always available on this page.

4. Who May Use the Platform

4.1 General users

The Platform is open to any person aged 13 or over. If you are between 13 and 17, you confirm that you have your parent's or guardian's permission to use the Platform.

4.2 Children under 13

If a child under the age of 13 is to be registered on the Platform as a learner, registration must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. By registering a child, the parent or guardian confirms they have parental responsibility and consents on the child's behalf to the processing of the child's personal data as described in our Privacy Policy.

GCS reserves the right to terminate any account we have reasonable grounds to believe was created by or for a child without appropriate parental consent.

4.3 Business users

Climbing centres, coaches, regional partners, and other organisations that access the Platform agree to these Terms on behalf of their organisation and confirm they have authority to do so. References to "you" include the organisation you represent.

5. User Accounts

5.1 Registration

Certain features of the Platform require you to create an account. When registering, you must provide accurate and complete information and keep it up to date.

5.2 Account security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You must notify us immediately at hello@globalclimbingstandard.com if you suspect any unauthorised use of your account.

5.3 Account types

The Platform supports the following account types, each with access to relevant features:

  • Learner: an individual climber registered to track progression through GCS stages and skill domains.
  • Parent / Guardian: a parent or guardian linked to one or more Learner accounts, with access to the parent dashboard and real-time progress updates.
  • Coach / Instructor: a qualified coach registered at an accredited GCS centre, with access to session management and progress-marking tools.
  • Centre Administrator: a representative of an accredited climbing centre, with access to centre management tools and reporting.
  • Regional Partner: an organisation holding exclusive territorial rights to operate GCS within a defined territory.

5.4 Termination of accounts

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time if we reasonably believe you have breached these Terms or if required by law. You may close your account at any time by contacting us. Closure does not automatically delete your data; please refer to our Privacy Policy for information on data retention.

6. GCS Accreditation and the Framework

The GCS framework, including its stages, skill domains, assessment criteria, and digital credentials, is proprietary to Global Climbing Standard Ltd. Accreditation of climbing centres is subject to a separate Accreditation Agreement. Nothing in these Terms grants any centre, coach, or partner any ownership interest in the GCS framework.

GCS credentials issued to learners are personal to the individual and may not be transferred or assigned.

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Our content

All content on the Platform, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, audio, video, the GCS framework, assessment materials, and software, is owned by or licensed to Global Climbing Standard Ltd and is protected by copyright, trade mark, and other intellectual property laws of Gibraltar and applicable jurisdictions worldwide.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any part of the Platform or its content without our prior written consent, except as expressly permitted by these Terms.

7.2 Limited licence

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Platform for its intended purposes in accordance with these Terms. This licence does not include any right to sublicense, scrape, data-mine, or use automated tools to extract content from the Platform.

7.3 Your content

Where the Platform allows you to submit content (such as session notes, feedback, or profile information), you retain ownership of that content. By submitting it, you grant GCS a worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, store, and process that content to the extent necessary to provide the Platform and as described in our Privacy Policy. You represent that you have all rights necessary to grant this licence.

8. Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Platform only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of others. You must not:

  • impersonate any person or organisation or misrepresent your identity or affiliation;
  • upload or transmit any content that is unlawful, harmful, defamatory, abusive, harassing, obscene, or otherwise objectionable;
  • upload any content that infringes the intellectual property, privacy, or other rights of any third party;
  • attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform, its servers, or any connected systems;
  • introduce viruses, malware, or other harmful code;
  • use the Platform for any commercial purpose not expressly authorised by GCS;
  • scrape, crawl, or systematically extract data from the Platform without our written consent;
  • circumvent, disable, or interfere with any security feature of the Platform;
  • use the Platform in any way that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair it.

Breach of this section may result in immediate account suspension or termination and may be reported to relevant law enforcement authorities.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. These links are provided for convenience only. GCS does not endorse and is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of any third-party site. You access third-party sites at your own risk.

Certain features of the Platform may integrate with third-party services (for example, app stores, payment processors, or mapping services). Your use of those services is governed by the relevant third-party terms and privacy policies.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, GCS makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the Platform, including but not limited to:

  • accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content;
  • fitness for a particular purpose;
  • uninterrupted, error-free, or secure access;
  • freedom from viruses or other harmful components.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any statutory rights you may have as a consumer that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of Gibraltar, GCS shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the Platform, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim arising under or in connection with these Terms shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts paid by you to GCS in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) £100.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes our liability for: (i) death or personal injury caused by our negligence; (ii) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or (iii) any other liability that cannot be limited by law.

The Platform does not provide physical safety advice. Climbing carries inherent risks. You remain solely responsible for your own safety and the safety of any child in your care when participating in climbing activities.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless GCS, its directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal costs) arising out of or in any way connected with: (a) your access to or use of the Platform in breach of these Terms; (b) content you submit to the Platform; or (c) your violation of any third-party right.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Gibraltar.

Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Gibraltar, except where you are a consumer resident in another jurisdiction, in which case you may also bring proceedings in the courts of your country of residence.

14. General

14.1 Entire agreement

These Terms (together with the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, and any applicable accreditation, partnership, or subscription agreement) constitute the entire agreement between you and GCS in relation to the Platform and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

14.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force.

14.3 Waiver

Failure by GCS to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision.

14.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. GCS may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at hello@globalclimbingstandard.com or by writing to our registered office address.