Privacy statement

The owners of this website take the protection of the personal information of website visitors - hereinafter referred to as users - very seriously. All the data provided by users to the data controller are processed strictly in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation and other data protection legislation and provisions of a similar nature that apply within the member states of the EU. This applies in particular to the processing of personal data.

The entity responsible for data processing as defined in data protection legislation is:

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG (IGOS)
Grünewalder Str. 29-31, 42657 Solingen
Phone +49 212 2494-700
Fax +49 212 2494-715
Email: info[at]igos.de

This privacy statement employs terms that are defined in Article 4 of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Personal data means all data linked specifically to a natural person that could be used to identify that person (Article 4(1) GDPR). The term "processing" includes any conceivable way of using the data in connection with personal data (Article 4(2) GDPR), i.e. from collection to erasure.

This website is hosted through a German web server owned by Porombka GmbH, Kauffunger Weg 8, 42699 Solingen. That website hosting company is also subject to the provisions in the EU GDPR and all other data protection legislation applicable in member states of the EU and other provisions related to data protection. The data controller of this website has a contractual agreement with Porombka GmbH to process data on its behalf (as the "processor"). The contract includes provisions that oblige the website hosting company to protect the data transmitted, process them in compliance with the data controller's data protection provisions and, in particular, not to make them available to third parties. Users can obtain further information on the way data are processed by the web hoster at www.porombka-marketing.de.

Every time the website is accessed, data are generated that are stored in log files on the server and in the web browser. The following data will be collected: the user's IP address, the date and time of access, the request, response status (HTTP status code), URL of the website the user was on when he or she accessed this site (referrer URL), browser type and version and the user's operating system.

The log files are stored to ensure the functionality of the website and the browser. In addition, the data are used for statistical evaluation to optimise our website, improve users' browsing experience and to guarantee the security and stability of the technical systems. Data processing is based on our legitimate interest as defined at Article 6(1) f.) GDPR. The owner of this site guarantees that this information is not merged with other data sources. The server log files are stored separately from the personal data that are submitted by the user by means of the contact form. The user log files are erased in accordance with general principles (refer to "General provisions for data erasure").

This website uses cookies. Cookies are small text files that are stored on the controller's web server or on your computer (PC, tablet, smartphone or other device) by your browser and contain data that enable our website to recognise your browser again and identify it.

This website uses cookies that are necessary for the operation of the website. These cookies are stored on the user's device for the duration of the visit to our website and are automatically deleted as soon as the user closes his/her browser (session cookies). Cookies of this kind store a single item of information that is a characteristic string that identifies your browser unambiguously when the website is accessed again by that browser (session ID).

This website also uses technologies that help the operator to improve the website and to operate it economically. Details of the associated technologies (e.g. Matomo) are explained in detail below. Use of these technologies simplifies use of the website for users. These technologies require the storage of cookies and are only activated after the user's prior explicit consent via the data protection settings, whereby consent can be revoked at any time via the button "Edit settings".

Data are processed using cookies on the basis of our legitimate interest as defined in Article 6(1)f GDPR and, if the user has already consented, Articles 6(1)a and 7 GDPR. Users can prevent or restrict the storage of cookies at any time by adjusting the settings in their browser. Cookies already stored by your browser can be deleted at any time through your browser. We would like to point out that, if you deactivate cookies, the functionality of this website may be impaired.

This website uses JavaScript libraries supplied by external providers. Some of the functionalities of this website would not work at all if we did not use JavaScript libraries and this makes it easier for the user to use the site.

We cannot exclude the possibility that accessing our website may submit personal data to external providers. Data processing is based on our legitimate interest as defined at Article 6(1) f.) GDPR. Users can prevent the transmission of data by installing a JavaScript blocker such as the 'NoScript' (https://noscript.net/) browser plug-in or deactivate JavaScript completely in the browser settings. We would like to point out that, if you deactivate cookies, the functionality of this website may be impaired.

The website uses the Matomo open source analysis tool which enables the collection and analysis of data about how users use the website. Matomo stores cookies on the user's system. Users can find further information on Matomo's data processing at https://matomo.org/privacy-policy/.

Data are not collected until the user has given his or her express consent to the collection of data either by specifically clicking on a declaration of consent or via the data protection settings. Consent can be withdrawn at any time using the button "Edit settings". In addition, any cookies already stored by Matomo can be deleted at any time through your Internet browser or other software programs.

The data are used for statistical evaluation to optimise our website, improve users' browsing experience and to guarantee the security and stability of the technical systems. Data are processed on the basis of our legitimate interest as defined in Article 6(1)f GDPR and, if the user has already consented, Articles 6(1)a and 7 GDPR.

This website uses map material from the "Open Street Map" project, which is a free project with the purpose of collecting freely usable geodata and storing it in a database for use by anyone. The project is run by the Open Street Map Foundation, St John's Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS (UK). The Open Street Map Foundation is also subject to the provisions in the EU GDPR and all other data protection legislation applicable in member states of the EU and other provisions related to data protection.

To use the map material, information about the use of the website including the IP address is forwarded to Open Street Map. Data are not transmitted until the user has given his or her express consent to the collection of data either by specifically clicking on a declaration of consent or via the data protection settings. Consent can be withdrawn at any time using the button "Edit settings".

Use of Open Street Map is in the interests of an attractive representation of our online offerings. Data are processed on the basis of our legitimate interest as defined at Article 6(1)f GDPR and, if the user makes use of the editing functionality, Article 6(1)a 7 GDPR. Users can find further information on data processing at https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy.

Personal data are erased without undue delay once the purpose of the data storage has been fulfilled, unless statutory provisions require continued storage of the data for a period (cf. 257(1) German Commercial Code (HGB): 6 years, 147(1) German Tax Code (AO): 10 years) or if storage is required for evidential purposes. Proper erasure of the data is monitored at annual intervals. Where data are not erased because they are necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims for the purposes of legitimate interests, their processing is restricted.

In compliance with Article 32 GDPR, and taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons, the controller has implemented appropriate technical, contractual and organisational measures to ensure the data protection legislation is adhered to and the data that are processed are protected against randomised or malicious manipulation, loss, destruction and man-in-the-middle attacks. The controller applied measures during development and technical implementation of the website to protect personal data (Article 25 GDPR). A key feature of these security measures is the encrypted transmission of data between the user's browser and the controller's server.

At any time, you are entitled to request information at no charge relating to the personal data about you that is stored and the purpose of the data processing (Article 15 GDPR). On request, you are entitled to receive the personal data concerning you which you have provided in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format. (Article 20 GDPR).

In addition, you have the right to have any inaccurate data relating to you rectified, incomplete personal data completed (Article 16 GDPR) and – subject to the terms of Article 18 GDPR – a right to a restriction of processing.

You have the right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’) of personal data stored by us unless processing of those data is required for exercising the right of freedom of expression and information, for compliance with a legal obligation, for reasons of public interest in the area of public health or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims (Article 17 GDPR).

You have the right to withdraw your consent to processing the data at any time with regard to the future, as defined at Articles 6(1) a.) and 7 GDPR. Where data are processed on the basis of Article 6(1) f.) GDPR, the user can object to the processing of his or her data for the future unless the controller demonstrates compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims (Article 21 GDPR).

If you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the current legislation, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (Article 77 GDPR). The supervisory authority in the case of the controller of this website is the Data Protection Supervisor for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Kavalleriestr. 2-4, 40213 Düsseldorf.