Privacy Policy

1. An overview of data protection

General information

The following information will provide you with an easy to navigate overview of what will happen with your personal data when you visit this website. The term “personal data” comprises all data that can be used to personally identify you. For detailed information about the subject matter of data protection, please consult our Data Protection Declaration, which we have included beneath this copy.

Data recording on this website

Who is responsible for the data recorded on this website?

Data collected on this website are processed by the website operator, KISTERS North America, Inc.

How is your data recorded?

We collect your data as a result of your sharing of your data with us. For instance, information entered on a contact form and submitted to contact.

If you have accepted the privacy settings when you initially visited this website, other data are may be anonymously recorded by IT systems. The primarily technical information comprises web browser, operating system, and time our website was accessed.

For what purposes are this data used?

A portion of the data informs the technical improvements made by our website administrators. We want the website to function properly. Aggregated data may be used to analyze overall visit patterns and improve the user experience.

What rights do you have as far as your information is concerned?

You have the right to receive information about the source, recipients, and purposes of your recorded personal data at any time without a payment for such disclosures. You also have the right to request that your data are rectified or erased. If you have consented to data processing, you have the option to revoke this consent at any time; from the time of the request, all future data processing will be affected. Moreover, you have the right to request that the processing of your data be restricted under certain circumstances. Furthermore, you have the right to log a complaint with the valid supervising agency.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time if you have questions about this or any other data protection related issues.

Analysis tools provided by third parties

Aggregated website visitor data may be statistically analyzed by analysis programs developed by third-parties. For detailed information about these programs, please consult 3. Data Protection Declaration, below.

2. Hosting

We are hosting the content of our website with Google Cloud. Technically, the transfer of information between your web browser and this website is routed through the Google network. This enables us to improve the performance of our website. The use of Google Cloud is based on our legitimate interest in the most error-free and secure provision of our website. Data transmission is based on the Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause. For more information about Google Cloud, you may visit https://cloud.google.com/cdn/docs/overview?hl=en.

The company is certified in accordance with the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF), an an agreement between the European Union and the United States to comply with European data protection standards for data processing in the U.S. Every company certified under the DPF is obliged to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, contact the provider under the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active

Data processing

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract mandated by data privacy laws that upholds that the processing of personal data of our website visitors is only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General information and mandatory information

Data protection

The operators of this website and its web pages take the protection of your personal data very seriously. Hence, we handle your personal data as confidential information and in compliance with the statutory data protection regulations and this Data Protection Declaration.

When you use this website, a variety of personal information will be recorded. Personal data comprises information that can be used to personally identify you. This declaration explains which data we collect as well as the purposes we use the data. It also explains how and for which purpose the information is recorded.

We herewith advise you that the transmission of data via the Internet, including e-mail, may be prone to security gaps. It is not possible to completely protect data against access by third parties.

Information about the responsible party

The party or controller of data processing on this website is:

KISTERS North America, Inc.
2999 Douglas Blvd., Suite 180
Roseville, CA 95661 USA

Phone: +1 916 723-1441
E-mail: info@kisters.net

The controller is the natural person or legal entity that single-handedly or jointly with others makes decisions as to the purposes of and resources for the processing of personal data (e.g. names, e-mail addresses, etc.).

Storage duration

Unless a more specific storage period has been specified in this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for which it was collected no longer applies. If you assert a justified request for deletion or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted, unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (e.g., tax or commercial law retention periods); in the latter case, the deletion will take place after these reasons cease to apply.

4. Designation of a data protection officer

We have appointed a corporate data protection officer.

KISTERS AG
Dr. Heinz-Josef Schlebusch
Pascalstraße 8+10
52076 Aachen

Phone: +49 2408 9385 -0
E-mail: datenschutz@kisters.de

5. Rights

Data transfer to third-party countries that are not secure under data protection law and the transfer to U.S. companies that are not DPF-certified

We use, among other technologies, tools from companies located in third-party countries that are not safe under data protection law, as well as U.S. tools whose providers are not certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). If the tools are enabled, your personal data may be transferred to and processed in these countries.

Note that no level of data protection comparable to that in the EU is upheld in third-party countries that are insecure in terms of data protection law. The U.S. as a secure third-party country generally has a level of data protection comparable to that of the EU. Data transfer to the U.S. is therefore permitted if the recipient is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF) or has appropriate additional provisions. Information on transfers to third-party countries, including the data recipients, can be found in this Privacy Policy.

Recipients of personal data

In the scope of our business activities, we cooperate with various external parties. In some cases, the transfer of personal data to these parties occurs. We only disclose personal data if this is required in the fulfillment of a contract, if we are legally obligated to do so (e.g., disclosure of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest in the disclosure pursuant to Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR, or if another legal basis permits the disclosure of this data. When using processors, we disclose only personal data of our customers on the basis of a valid contract on data processing. In the case of joint processing, a joint processing agreement is concluded.

Revocation of your consent to data processing

A wide range of data processing transactions are possible only subject to your expressed consent. At any time you can also revoke any consent you have previously given. This shall be without prejudice to the lawfulness of any data collection that occurred prior to your revocation.

Right to object to the collection of data in special cases; right to object to direct advertising (Art. 21 GDPR)

In the event data are processed on the basis of Art. 6(1)(E) or (F) GDPR, you have the right to any any time object to the processing of your personal data based on grounds arising from your unique situation. This also applies to any profiling based on these provisions. To determine the legal basis, on which any data processing occurs, please consult this Data Protection Declaration. If you log an objection, we will no longer process your affected personal data, unless we are in a position to present compelling protection worthy for the processing of your data that outweigh your interests, rights and freedoms or if the purpose of the processing is the claiming, exercising or defense of legal entitlements (objection pursuant to Art. 21(1) GDPR).

If your personal data are being processed to engage in direct advertising, you have the right to object to the processing of your affected personal data for the purposes of such advertising at any time. This also applies to profiling to the extent that it is affiliated with such direct advertising. If you object, your presonal data will subsequently no longer be used for direct advertising purposes (objection pursuant to Art. 21(2) GDPR).

Right to log a complaint with the competent supervisory agency

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects are entitled to log a complaint with a valid supervisory agency, in particular in the member state where they usually maintain their domicile, place of work, or at the place where the alleged violation occurred. The right to log a complaint is in effect regardless of any other administrative or court proceedings available as legal recourses.

Right to data portability

You have the right to have data, which are automatically processed on the basis of your consent or in fulfillment of a contract, handed over to you or to a third party in a common, machine-readable format. If you should demand the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will be done only if it is technically feasible.

Correction and erasure of data

Within the scope of the applicable statutory provisions, at any time you have the right to request information about your archived personal data, the source and recipients as well as the purpose(s) of the processing of your data. You may also request to have your data corrected or erased. If you have questions about this subject matter or any other questions about personal data, contact us.

Requesting processing restrictions

You have the right to request restrictions on the processing of your personal data. To do so, contact us at any time. The right to request restriction of processing applies in the following cases:

In the event that you should dispute the correctness of your data archived by us, we will usually need some time to verify this claim. During the time that this investigation is ongoing, you have the right to demand that we restrict the processing of your personal data.
If the processing of your personal data was/is conducted in an unlawful manner, you may request restriction of the processing of your data instead of demanding the erasure of this data.
If we do not need your personal data any longer and you need it to exercise, defend or claim legal entitlements, you have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of its eradication.
If you have raised an objection pursuant to Art. 21(1) GDPR, your rights and our rights will have to be weighed against each other. As long as it has not been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to demand a restriction of the processing of your personal data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, these data – with the exception of their archiving – may be processed only subject to your consent or to claim, exercise or defend legal entitlements or to protect the rights of other natural persons or legal entities or for important public interest reasons cited by the EU or an EU member state.

SSL and/or TLS encryption

For security reasons and the protection of the transmission of confidential content, such as purchase orders or inquiries you submit to us as the website operator, this website uses either an SSL or a TLS encryption program. You can recognize an encrypted connection by checking whether the address line of the browser switches from “http://” to “https://” and also by the appearance of the lock icon in the browser line. If the SSL or TLS encryption is activated, data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.

6. Data Recording

Cookies

Our websites and webpages use what the industry refers to as cookies. The small data packages do not cause any damage to your device. They are either stored temporarily for the duration of a session as session cookies or permanently archived on your device as permanent cookies. Session cookies are automatically deleted once your end or terminate your visit to our websites. Permanent cookies remain archived on your device until you actively delete them. Once deleted, coolies are erased by your web browser.

Cookies can be issued by us as first-party cookies or by third-party companies. Third-party companies enable the integration of certain services into our websites.

Cookies have a variety of functions. Many cookies are technically essential since certain website features would not function in their absence. For example, the display of videos or the shopping cart feature to conveniently request environmental monitoring instrument / accessory quotes. Cookies required for the electronic communication transactions shall be stored on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, unless a different legal basis is cited. The operator of the website has a legitimate interest in the storage of required cookies to maintain a technically error-free and optimized provision of the operator’s services. If your consent to the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies has been requested, the processing occurs exclusively on the basis of the consent obtained (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG). This consent may be revoked at any time.

You have the option to set up your web browser in such a manner that you will be notified any time cookies are placed and to permit the acceptance of cookies in specific cases. You may also exclude the acceptance of cookies in certain cases or in general or activate the delete-function for the automatic erasure of cookies when you close the web browser. If cookies are deactivated, the functions of this website may be limited.

Which cookies and services are used on this website can be found in this privacy policy.

Consent with Cookie Notice & Compliance

Our website uses the consent technology of Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR to obtain your consent for the archiving of certain cookies on your device or for the use of certain technologies and for the data protection compliant documentation of the former.

Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR is installed locally on our servers so a connection with third-party servers does not occur. A cookie is stored in your browser to be able to allocate granted consent as well as revocation by you. The cookie stays active for one month. Data are stored until a request to delete it; you yourself delete the consent cookie; or the purpose of data archiving is no longer valid. This does not affect mandatory statutory retention periods.

Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR is being used to obtain the consent for the use of cookies required by law. The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR.

Server log files

The provider of this website and its webpages automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your web browser communicates to us. The information comprises:

Type and version of web browser used to visit website
Used operating system
Referrer URL
Hostname of the accessing computer
Time of the server inquiry
IP address of device visiting the website

These data are not merged with other data sources. Data are recorded on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The operator of the website has a legitimate interest in the technically error free depiction and the optimization of the operator’s website. In order to achieve this, server log files must be recorded.

Contact form

If you submit inquiries to use via our contact form, the information provided therein will be stored by us in order to address your inquiry and in the event that we have further questions or opportunities to assist you. We will not share this information without your consent.

The processing of this information is based on Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR, if your request is related to the execution of a contract or if it is necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures. In all other cases the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of the requests addressed to us (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on your agreement (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) if this has been requested; the consent can be revoked at any time.

The information you submitted via the contact form shall remain with us until you ask us to erase the data, revoke your consent to the archiving of data, or if the purpose for which the information is being archived no longer exists. This shall be without prejudice to any mandatory statutory provisions, in particular statutory retention periods.

Request by e-mail or phone

If you contact us by e-mail or phone, your request, including all resulting personal data (name, request) will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of processing your request. We do not share this information without your consent.

The data are processed on the basis of Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR if your inquiry is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is required for the performance of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the data are processed on the basis of our legitimate interest in the effective handling of inquiries submitted to us (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on the basis of your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) if it has been obtained; the consent can be revoked at any time.

Data you sent to us remain with us until you ask us to delete, revoke your consent to the storage, or the purpose for the data storage lapses. Mandatory statutory provisions, in particular statutory retention periods, remain unaffected.

7. Privacy Policy for the use of social media channels

Our website uses share buttons, which enable visitors to easily post content from our website on social media channels or platforms including but not limited to LinkedIN, Twitter, and Facebook. The share buttons are based on “Shariff” technology. More information on this technology can be found at https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Shariff.

When you visit our website, no data will be sent to the servers of the above services. Only when you click one of the share buttons and deliberately want to share content from our website, communication with the servers of the respective service provider takes place. We have no knowledge of the content of the transmitted data and the use by the respective service. Use of share buttons and the associated collection of your data or your usage behavior by the above services is at your own risk. The provider identification of the above services and their privacy policies are:

LinkedIn: LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA | LinkedIn’s privacy policy: www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
X: X Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA | X’s privacy policy: x.com/en/privacy
Facebook: Meta Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA | Facebook’s privacy policy: facebook.com/privacy/policy

8. Analytics and advertising

Google Tag Manager

We use the Google Tag Manager, statistical tools and other technologies that allow us to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of our marketing and communications efforts. Google Tag Manager does not create any user profiles, store cookies, or perform independent analyses. It manages and runs integrated tools. However, it does record your device’s IP address, which may also be transferred to Google’s parent company in the U.S.

Google Tag Manager is used on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the quick and uncomplicated integration and administration of various tools on his website. If appropriate consent has been obtained, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar the consent includes the storage of cookies or the access to information in the user’s end device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

Matomo

This website uses the open-source web analysis service Matomo, which enables us to collect and analyze data on the use of our website by website visitors. The information facilitates continuous improvement as we learn, for instance, which pages are viewed the least and when the most traffic occurs. In addition, we collect various log files (e.g. IP address, referrer URL, web browser, and operating system used) and can measure whether our website visitors perform certain actions (e.g. clicks, submit forms, etc.).

Use of this analysis tool is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the analysis of user patterns, in order to optimize the operator’s web offerings and advertising. If appropriate consent has been obtained, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG, insofar the consent includes the storage of cookies or the access to information in the user’s end device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

IP anonymization

For analysis with Matomo we use IP anonymization. Your IP address is shortened before the analysis, so that it is no longer clearly assignable to you.

Analysis without cookies

We have configured Matomo in such a way that Matomo will not store cookies in your browser.

Hosting

We host Matomo exclusively on our servers, so all analytical data remains with us. No information is shared with third parties.

Google Ads

The website operator uses Google Ads. Google Ads is an online promotional program of Google HQ (“Google”), 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

Google Ads enables us to display ads in the Google search engine or on third-party websites, if the user enters certain search terms into Google (keyword targeting). It is also possible to place targeted ads based on user data that Google has in its possession (e.g., location data and interests; target group targeting). As the website operator, we can analyze the data quantitatively, for instance by analyzing which search terms resulted in the display of our ads and how many ads led to respective clicks.

The use of these services occurs on the basis of your consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG. You may revoke your consent at any time.

Data transmission to the US is based on the Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://policies.google.com/privacy/frameworks and https://business.safety.google/controllerterms/.

The company is certified in accordance with the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US, which is intended to comply with European data protection standards for data processing in the US. Every company certified under the DPF is obliged to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please contact the provider under the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active

9. Online-based Conference Tools

Data processing

We use online conference tools, among other things, for communication with our customers. The tools we use are listed in detail below. If you communicate with us by video or audio conference using the Internet, your personal data will be collected and processed by the provider of the respective conference tool and by us. The conferencing tools collect all information that you provide/access to use the tools (email address and/or your phone number). Furthermore, the conference tools process the duration of the conference, start and end (time) of participation in the conference, number of participants and other “context information” related to the communication process (metadata).

Furthermore, the provider of the tool processes all the technical data required for the processing of the online communication. This includes, in particular, IP addresses, MAC addresses, device IDs, device type, operating system type and version, client version, camera type, microphone or loudspeaker and the type of connection.

Should content be exchanged, uploaded, or otherwise made available within the tool, it is also stored on the servers of the tool provider. Such content includes, but is not limited to, cloud recordings, chat/ instant messages, voicemail uploaded photos and videos, files, whiteboards, and other information shared while using the service.

Please note that we do not have complete influence on the data processing procedures of the tools used. Our possibilities are largely determined by the corporate policy of the respective provider. Further information on data processing by the conference tools can be found in the data protection declarations of the tools used, and which we have listed below this text.

Purpose and legal bases

The conference tools are used to communicate with prospective or existing contractual partners or to offer certain services to our customers (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR). Furthermore, the use of the tools serves to generally simplify and accelerate communication with us or our company (legitimate interest in the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). Insofar as consent has been requested, the tools in question will be used on the basis of this consent; the consent may be revoked at any time with effect from that date.

Duration of storage

Data collected directly by us via the video and conference tools will be deleted from our systems immediately after you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to storage, or the reason for storing the data no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your end device until you delete them. Mandatory legal retention periods remain unaffected.

We have no influence on the duration of storage of your data that is stored by the operators of the conference tools for their own purposes. For details, please directly contact the operators of the conference tools.

Conference tools used

We employ the following conference tools:

TeamViewer

We use TeamViewer. The provider is TeamViewer US, Inc., 5741 Rio Vista Drive, Clearwater, FL 33760 USA. Details about data processing can be found in the TeamViewer privacy policy: https://www.teamviewer.com/en/privacy-policy/. We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This contract is mandated by data privacy laws that confirm that the company processes personal data of our website visitors only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

Microsoft Teams

We use Microsoft Teams. The provider is the Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland. For details on data processing, please refer to the Microsoft Teams privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement. We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract mandated by data privacy laws that confirms that the company processes personal data of our website visitors only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

Zoom

We use Zoom. The provider is Zoom Video Communications, 55 Almaden Blvd., San Jose, CA 95113, USA. For details on data processing, please refer to the Zoom privacy policy: https://explore.zoom.us/en/privacy/. We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract mandated by data privacy laws that confirms that the company processes personal data of our website visitors only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

10. E-Newsletter

To subscribe to our newsletter, we require a valid email address as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address and that you agree to receive this newsletter. No additional data is collected or is only collected on a voluntary basis. We only use this data to send the requested information and do not pass it on to third parties.

We will, therefore, process any data you enter onto the contact form only with your consent per Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR. You can revoke consent to the storage of your data and email address as well as their use for sending the newsletter at any time, e.g. through the “unsubscribe” link in the newsletter. The legality of the data processing up to the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

The data provided when registering for the newsletter will be used to distribute the newsletter until you cancel your subscription when said data will be deleted. Data we have stored for other purposes (e.g. email addresses for the member area) remain unaffected.

Unsubscribe from Newsletter: info@kisters.net