The privacy policy of GEPRO mbH is based on the terminology used by the European legislator in the enactment of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy policy aims to be easily readable and understandable for the public as well as for our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to explain the terminology used.

In this privacy policy, we use the following terms:

a) Personal Data

Personal data refers to any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as "data subject"). An identifiable natural person is one who can be directly or indirectly identified, particularly by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or one or more specific factors expressing the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.

b) Data Subject

A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the data controller.

c) Processing

Processing refers to any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

d) Restriction of Processing

Restriction of processing means marking stored personal data with the aim of limiting its processing in the future.

e) Profiling

Profiling refers to any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of using that personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, particularly to analyze or predict aspects concerning work performance, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location or movements of that natural person.

f) Pseudonymization

Pseudonymization refers to the processing of personal data in such a way that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separate and subject to technical and organizational measures that ensure that the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

g) Controller or Data Controller

Controller or data controller refers to the natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union law or the law of Member States, the controller or the specific criteria for its designation may be provided for by Union law or the law of Member States.

h) Processor

Processor refers to a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

i) Recipient

Recipient refers to a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body to whom personal data is disclosed, whether or not a third party. Authorities that may receive personal data under a particular investigation in accordance with Union law or the law of Member States are not considered recipients.

j) Third Party

Third party refers to a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body other than the data subject, the controller, the processor, and the persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or the processor, are authorized to process personal data.

k) Consent

Consent refers to any freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes, by which they signify agreement to the processing of personal data relating to them, either by a statement or by a clear affirmative action.

The controller in terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), other applicable data protection laws in the Member States of the European Union, and other provisions with data protection relevance is:

GEPRO mbH, represented by Dr. Thomas Klevers (Managing Director)

Schloss-Rahe-Str. 15 52072 Aachen Germany

Tel.: +49 241 9367 2900
E-Mail: info(at)gepro.com
Website: www.gepro.com

Ein Datenschutzbeauftragter wird nicht bestellt.

The websites of GEPRO mbH use cookies. Cookies are text files that are placed and stored on a computer system via an internet browser.

Many websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier of the cookie. It consists of a string of characters that allows websites and servers to be assigned to the specific internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This enables the visited websites and servers to distinguish the individual browser of the data subject from other internet browsers that contain other cookies. A specific internet browser can be recognized and identified by its unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, GEPRO mbH can provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the use of cookies.

Cookies allow us to optimize the information and offerings on our website according to the user's needs. As mentioned earlier, cookies enable us to recognize users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, a user of a website that uses cookies does not have to enter their access data again every time they visit the website, as this is taken over by the website and the cookie stored on the user's computer system. Another example is the cookie of a shopping cart in an online shop. The online shop remembers the items a customer has placed in the virtual shopping cart via a cookie.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by making the appropriate settings in the internet browser used, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Furthermore, already set cookies can be deleted at any time via an internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all common internet browsers. If the data subject disables the setting of cookies in the used internet browser, not all functions of our website may be fully usable.

The website of GEPRO mbH collects a range of general data and information with each visit to the website by an affected person or an automated system. This general data and information are stored in the server's log files. The collected data may include: (1) the types and versions of browsers used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system arrives at our website (so-called referrer), (4) the subpages accessed on our website by an accessing system, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet Protocol (IP) address, (7) the Internet Service Provider of the accessing system, and (8) other similar data and information that serve to prevent danger in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, GEPRO mbH does not draw conclusions about the affected person. Instead, this information is needed to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) optimize the content of our website and the advertising for it, (3) ensure the ongoing functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the necessary information in the event of a cyberattack. Thus, these anonymized data and information are analyzed by GEPRO mbH for statistical purposes and further to enhance data protection and data security within our company, ultimately to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymized data in the server log files are stored separately from all personal data provided by an affected person.

On the GEPRO mbH website, users have the opportunity to subscribe to our company’s newsletter. The personal data transmitted to the controller during the subscription process is determined by the input mask used for this purpose.

GEPRO mbH regularly informs its customers and business partners about the company’s offers through a newsletter. The newsletter can generally only be received by the data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid email address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter mailing. For legal reasons, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address registered by a data subject for the first time for the newsletter mailing, using the double opt-in procedure. This confirmation email serves to verify whether the owner of the email address as the data subject is authorized to receive the newsletter.

When registering for the newsletter, we also store the IP address of the computer system assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and used by the data subject at the time of registration, as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of this data is necessary to understand the (possible) misuse of the email address of a data subject at a later date and therefore serves the legal protection of the controller.

The personal data collected as part of a registration for the newsletter will only be used to send our newsletter. In addition, subscribers to the newsletter may be informed by email, as long as this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or a registration in question, as could be the case in the event of modifications to the newsletter offer or changes in technical circumstances. There will be no transfer of personal data collected by the newsletter service to third parties. The subscription to our newsletter may be terminated by the data subject at any time. The consent to the storage of personal data, which the data subject has given for the newsletter mailing, may be revoked at any time. For the purpose of revoking consent, a corresponding link is found in each newsletter. It is also possible to unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time directly on the website of the controller, or to communicate this to the controller in a different way.

The newsletters of GEPRO mbH contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic embedded in such emails sent in HTML format to enable log file recording and log file analysis. This allows for statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Through the embedded tracking pixel, GEPRO mbH can determine if and when an email was opened by a data subject and which links in the email were accessed by the data subject.

Such personal data collected via the tracking pixels contained in the newsletters are stored and evaluated by the controller in order to optimize the newsletter mailing and to better adapt the content of future newsletters to the interests of the data subject. These personal data are not disclosed to third parties. Data subjects are entitled at any time to revoke the separate consent given via the double opt-in procedure. After a revocation, these personal data will be deleted by the controller. GEPRO mbH automatically interprets an unsubscription from the receipt of the newsletter as a revocation.

The website of GEPRO mbH contains information required by law that enables quick electronic contact with our company as well as direct communication with us, which also includes a general address of the so-called electronic mail (email address). If a data subject contacts the controller by email or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject is automatically stored. Such personal data transmitted on a voluntary basis by a data subject to the controller are stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. There is no transfer of this personal data to third parties.

The controller shall process and store personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or as far as this is granted by the European legislator or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject to.

If the storage purpose is not applicable, or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data are routinely blocked or erased in accordance with legal requirements.

a) Right to confirmation

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning them are being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of confirmation, they may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

b) Right to information

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller, at any time and free of charge, information about their stored personal data and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:

• The purposes of the processing
• The categories of personal data being processed
• The recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organizations
• If possible, the planned duration for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that duration
• The existence of the right to request rectification or erasure of personal data, or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject, or to object to such processing
• The existence of the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
• If the personal data are not collected from the data subject, any available information about their source
• The existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) of the DS-GVO and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject

Furthermore, the data subject has the right to obtain information as to whether personal data are transferred to a third country or to an international organization. If this is the case, the data subject has the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to information, they may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

c) Right to rectification

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller, without undue delay, the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning them. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject also has the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to rectification, they may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

d) Right to erasure (Right to be forgotten)

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning them without undue delay, where one of the following grounds applies and as long as the processing is not necessary:

• The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
• The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based according to point (a) of Article 6(1) or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the DS-GVO, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.
• The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the DS-GVO and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) of the DS-GVO.
• The personal data have been unlawfully processed.
• The personal data must be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
• The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) of the DS-GVO.

If one of the above reasons applies, and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by GEPRO mbH, they may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller. An employee of GEPRO mbH shall promptly ensure that the erasure request is complied with immediately.

Where GEPRO mbH has made the personal data public and is obliged pursuant to Article 17(1) to erase the personal data, GEPRO mbH, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data, as far as processing is not required. An employee of GEPRO mbH will arrange the necessary measures in individual cases.

e) Right to restriction of processing

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller restriction of processing where one of the following applies:

• The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
• The processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of their use instead.
• The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.
• The data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

If one of the above conditions is met and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of the processing of personal data stored by GEPRO mbH, they may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller. The employee of GEPRO mbH will arrange the restriction of the processing.

f) Right to data portability

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning them, which they have provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. They have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, as long as the processing is based on consent pursuant to point (a) of Article 6(1) or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the GDPR, or on a contract pursuant to point (b) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, as long as the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

Furthermore, in exercising their right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) of the GDPR, the data subject has the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and when doing so does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

To assert the right to data portability, the data subject may, at any time, contact any employee of GEPRO mbH.

g) Right to object

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to object, on grounds relating to their particular situation, at any time, to processing of personal data concerning them, which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) of the DS-GVO. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

GEPRO mbH shall no longer process the personal data in the event of an objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights, and freedoms of the data subject, or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

If GEPRO mbH processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject has the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning them for such marketing. This applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to GEPRO mbH to the processing for direct marketing purposes, GEPRO mbH will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

In addition, the data subject has the right, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to object to the processing of personal data concerning them, which is carried out by GEPRO mbH for scientific or historical research purposes, or for statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) of the DS-GVO, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

To exercise the right to object, the data subject may directly contact any employee of GEPRO mbH or another employee. In addition, the data subject is free in the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to use their right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning them or similarly significantly affects them, as long as the decision (1) is not necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a data controller, or (2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent.

If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a data controller, or (2) it is based on the data subject’s explicit consent, GEPRO mbH shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, which include at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express their point of view, and to contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to exercise their rights concerning automated individual decision-making, they may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

i) Right to withdraw data protection consent

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to withdraw consent to the processing of their personal data at any time.

If the data subject wishes to exercise their right to withdraw consent, they may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

The controller collects and processes the personal data of applicants for the purpose of handling the application process. Processing may also occur electronically. This is particularly the case if an applicant submits relevant application documents electronically, for example, by email or via a web form on the website. If the controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the submitted data will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with legal requirements. If the controller does not conclude an employment contract with the applicant, the application documents will be automatically deleted two months after the notification of the rejection decision, provided that no other legitimate interests of the controller oppose such deletion. Another legitimate interest in this sense, for example, is a burden of proof in a procedure under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

The controller has integrated the Google Analytics (with anonymization function) component on this website. Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics involves the collection, gathering, and analysis of data regarding the behavior of visitors to websites. A web analytics service collects data such as which website a visitor came from (known as the referrer), which subpages of the website are accessed, and how often and for what duration a subpage is viewed. Web analytics is primarily used to optimize a website and to perform cost-benefit analysis of online advertising.

The operator of the Google Analytics component is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The controller uses the "_gat._anonymizeIp" extension for web analytics through Google Analytics. This extension shortens and anonymizes the IP address of the visitor's internet connection by Google when accessing our website from a member state of the European Union or another contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyze visitor traffic on our website. Google uses the collected data and information to evaluate the use of our website, compile online reports showing activities on our website, and to provide additional services related to the use of our website.

Google Analytics sets a cookie on the visitor's IT system. Cookies are explained above. By setting the cookie, Google is enabled to analyze the use of our website. Each time a page of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which a Google Analytics component is integrated, is accessed, the browser on the visitor's IT system automatically sends data for online analysis to Google via the respective Google Analytics component. In the course of this technical procedure, Google gains knowledge of personal data, such as the IP address of the visitor, which Google uses to track the origin of visitors and clicks and subsequently enable commission settlements.

The cookie stores personal information, such as the access time, the location from which access originated, and the frequency of visits to our website by the visitor. Every visit to our website sends this personal data, including the IP address of the visitor's internet connection, to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may transfer the personal data collected through this technical procedure to third parties.

The visitor can prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by making the appropriate settings in the used internet browser, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Such a setting in the internet browser would also prevent Google from setting a cookie on the visitor's IT system. Additionally, cookies already set by Google Analytics can be deleted at any time using the internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the visitor has the option to object to the collection of data related to the use of this website generated by Google Analytics and to prevent the processing of these data by Google. To do this, the visitor must download and install a browser add-on via the link https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This browser add-on informs Google Analytics via JavaScript that no data and information about website visits may be transmitted to Google Analytics. The installation of the browser add-on is considered a refusal by Google. If the visitor's IT system is deleted, formatted, or reinstalled at a later time, the visitor must reinstall the browser add-on to deactivate Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or deactivated by the visitor or by another person within their sphere of control, the option to reinstall or reactivate the browser add-on remains.

Further information and the applicable privacy policies of Google can be found at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html. Google Analytics is explained in more detail at https://www.google.com/intl/de_de/analytics/.

Article 6(1)(a) DS-GVO serves as the legal basis for processing operations where we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, such as in processing operations required for the delivery of goods or the provision of another service or consideration, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) DS-GVO. The same applies to processing operations necessary for the performance of pre-contractual measures, such as in cases of inquiries about our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation that necessitates the processing of personal data, such as for fulfilling tax obligations, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) DS-GVO. In rare cases, processing of personal data may be necessary to protect vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. For example, if a visitor were to be injured on our premises and their name, age, health insurance data, or other vital information needed to be shared with a doctor, hospital, or other third parties, the processing would be based on Article 6(1)(d) DS-GVO. Ultimately, processing operations may be based on Article 6(1)(f) DS-GVO. This legal basis applies to processing operations not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases if the processing is necessary for the protection of legitimate interests of our company or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights, and freedoms of the data subject do not outweigh these interests. Such processing operations are particularly permitted because they are specifically mentioned by the European legislator. The legislator considered that a legitimate interest might be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47, Sentence 2 DS-GVO).

If the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) DS-GVO, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business operations for the benefit of the well-being of all our employees and stakeholders.

The criterion for the duration of personal data storage is the respective legal retention period. After this period expires, the data will be routinely deleted, provided that it is no longer necessary for the fulfillment of the contract or the initiation of a contract.

We inform you that providing personal data is partly required by law (e.g., tax regulations) or may arise from contractual arrangements (e.g., details about the contractual partner). It may sometimes be necessary to provide personal data in order to conclude a contract, which will then be processed by us. For instance, a data subject is required to provide us with personal data if our company is entering into a contract with them. Failure to provide the personal data would result in the inability to conclude the contract with the data subject. Before providing personal data, the data subject should contact one of our employees. Our employee will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of personal data is required by law or contract or necessary for the contract conclusion, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data, and what the consequences of not providing the personal data would be.

As a responsible company, we do not engage in automated decision-making or profiling.

This privacy policy was created using the privacy policy generator from the Data Protection Officer Hamburg in collaboration with RC GmbH, which recycles used notebooks, and the file-sharing lawyers from WBS-LAW.