Cookie Policy

What are cookies

As is common practice with almost all professional websites this site uses cookies, which are tiny files that are downloaded to your computer, to improve your experience. This page describes what information they gather, how we use it and why we sometimes need to store these cookies.

Description and Scope of Data Processing

Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in the Internet browser or by the Internet browser on the user’s computer system. When a user visits a website, a cookie can be placed on the user’s device. Cookies contain a unique string of random letters that clearly identify the users’ browser when they revisit the website.

We place cookies to make our website user-friendlier. A few elements of our website make it necessary to be able to recognize visiting browsers after page changes.

We use the following cookies:

1. _ga

This cookie is set to identify visitors but does not contain any personal information and is created on the basis of a random routine. In order for Google Analytics to be able to determine whether two visits were made by the same user, a unique identifier must be sent with each visit that can be used to permit recognition of the individual user. The analytics.js library does this by using a ‘Client ID’, which is a unique, randomly generated string of numbers that is stored on the user’s computer by the user’s web browser so that subsequent visits to a website by the same user can be associated with that user. Analytics.js uses a single standard first-party cookie called _ga to store Client IDs.

2. _gat_gtag_UA_

These cookies are set by Google Analytics which is a simple tool that helps us measure how users interact with our website. As a user navigates between web pages, Google Analytics records information about the page a user has visited, for example the URL of the page. The cookies themselves are used to ‘remember’ what a user has done on previous pages and interactions with our website.

3. _gid

These cookie registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. 

The following data are stored and transmitted in the cookies:

(1) Language settings

(2) Log-in information

Our website also uses cookies that support analysis of the surfing habits of users.

This makes it possible to obtain the following data:

(1) Search terms entered

(2) Use of website functionality: Data on users who initiate a download

Technical means are used to pseudonymize the data of users collected in this manner. That makes it impossible to use the data to identify visiting users. Such data are not stored together with user’s other personal data.

Visitors to our website are notified of the use of cookies for analytical purposes by a banner and asked to give their consent to having their personal data processed for such purposes. A reference to this privacy statement also appears at the same time. In addition, users are notified that the browser settings make it possible to prevent the storage of cookies.

 

Legal Basis for Processing of Data

Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR provides the legal basis for the use of cookies in connection with the processing of personal data.

Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR provides the legal basis for the use of cookies for analytical purposes in connection with the processing of personal data if the consent of the user has been obtained.

Purpose of Processing Data

The purpose of using of cookies is to simplify the use of websites for users. Some of the functions of our website cannot be used without the use of cookies. In the case of these functions, it is necessary to be able to recognize the browser again when changing to a new page. This permits temporary storage of technical data or information required for proper operation of certain features on the computer.

We need cookies for the following applications:

(1) to obtain language settings

(2) Login in the download area

The user data collected by these cookies are not used to create user profiles.

Analytics cookies are used to improve the quality of our website and its content. They tell us how our website is being used so we can continually make improvements. More precise descriptions of the function and purpose of cookies can be found in section V.1 above.

These purposes also give rise to our legitimate interest in processing personal data pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.

Duration of Storage, Possibility of Objection and Elimination

Cookies are stored on the device of the user and sent to our website. The user therefore is in complete control of the use of cookies. By changing the settings of the Internet browser, the transmission of cookies can be deactivated or restricted. Cookies that have already been placed can be disabled at any time. This process can also be automated. If the user chooses to disable cookies, he may not be able to use all of the features of our website.