Warning
Risks involved in the use
of
so-called SIMATIC-compatible modules of non-
Siemens manufacture
"The manufacturer of a product (SIMATIC in this case) is under the general obligation to give
warning of possible risks attached to his product. This obligation has been extended in recent
Court rulings to include parts supplied by other vendors. Accordingly, the manufacturer is
obliged to observe and recognize such hazards as may arise when a product is combined with
products of other manufacture.
For this reason, we feel obliged to warn out customers who use SlMATlC products
not to install so-called SIMATIC-compatible modules of other manufacture in the form
of replacement or a d d s n modules in SlMATlC systems.
Our products undergo a strict quality assurance procedure. We have no knowledge as to
whether outside manufacturers of so-called SIMATIC-compatible modules have any quality
assurance at all or one that is nearly equivalent to ours. These so-called SIMATIC- compatible
modules are not marketed in agreement with Siemens; we have never recommended the use
of so-called SIMATIC-compatible modules of other manufacture. The advertising of these
other manufacturers for so-called SIMATIC-compatible modules wrongly creates the
impression that the subject advertised in periodicals, catalogues or at exhibitions had been
agreed with us. Where so-called SIMATIC-compatible:.modules of non-Siemens manufacture
are combined with our SlMATlC autbmation systerns, we have a case of our product being
used contrary to recommendations. Because of the variety of applications of our SIMATIC
automation systems and the large number of these products marketed worldwide, we cannot
give a concrete description specifically analyzing the hazards created by these so-called
SIMATIC-compatible modules. It is beyond the manufacturer's capabilities to have all these
so-called SlMATlCcompatible modules checked for their effect on our SIMATIC products. If
the use of so-called SIMATIC-compatible modules leads to defects in a SlMATlC automation
System, no warranty for such systems will be given by Siemens.
In the event of product liability damages due to the use of so-called SIMATIC-compatible
modules, Siemens are not liable since we took timely action in warning Users of the potential
hazards involved in so-called SIMATIC-compatible modules."