Confidentiality agreements, toller

A confidentiality agreement is frequently required prior to the final selection process. Depending on the process technology, a confidentiality agreement may be required during initial discussions with the toller. Alternately, it may be included in the request for bid or when the final contract is executed. 

A toller may need to use resources outside their company to measure physical properties, conduct safety or other testing, engineer changes to piping or other facilities and equipment. This need frequently occurs for products in the initial development or commercialization stage. The toller should maintain confidentiality agreements with their suppliers and subcontractors commensurate with the proprietary nature of their client companies processes. Provision to allow disclosure of information to third parties should be addressed in the contract between the toller and the client. It may be structured so that the client must approve the toller s release of information to third parties. 

Confidentiality agreement A written agreement between a toller and their client to outline the extent of security required in the handling of the information, equipment or product. 

Once a toller has been selected and any required preliminary confidentiality protection is in place, the client typically shares more detailed information. The toller can then make an informed decision about the economic, technical, and safety aspects involved in bidding the work. If the two parties decide the project will be mutually beneficial, agreements and obligations are negotiated and then formalized in a written contract. Both parties—the client and the toller—have roles in fulfilling the contract and in carrying out their responsibilities to the workers and the public. The purpose of the written contract is to clarify and document those roles and responsibilities to effectively execute, maintain and eventually terminate the project. 

Confidentiality disclosure agreement An agreement that allows a toller to release information to a third party that would ordinarily be considered proprietary. 

---