1. Data protection at a glance

General Information

The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit our website or when you contact us by email, telephone, fax, post or in person. Personal data is any data that can be used to identify you personally. For detailed information on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy set out below this text.

Data collection on this website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website? Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find their contact details in the legal notice on this website.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected, on the one hand, when you provide it to us. This may include, for example, data that you enter into a contact form or provide via email, telephone, post, etc. Other data is collected automatically by our IT systems when you visit the website. This consists primarily of technical data (e.g. internet browser, operating system or time of page view). This data is collected automatically as soon as you access this website.

What do we use your data for?

Some of the data is collected to ensure the website functions correctly. Other data may be used to analyse your user behaviour. Data is also collected to process your enquiry and in the event of any follow-up questions.

What rights do you have regarding your data?

You have the right at any time to obtain, free of charge, information about the origin, recipients and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to request the rectification or erasure of this data. For this and any further questions regarding data protection, you may contact us at any time at the address provided in the legal notice. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority. You also have the right, under certain circumstances, to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. For details on this, please refer to the privacy policy under ‘Right to restriction of processing’.

Data storage

The data you provide, such as your name, address, telephone number, email address and details of your enquiry, is required to respond to your enquiry, to carry out non-binding or pre-contractual measures (e.g. preparing and sending quotations) and, where applicable, to fulfil the contract at a later date. Without this data, we cannot provide you with the requested information or enter into a contract with you.

This data will not be passed on to third parties without your express consent, with the exception of information necessary for the performance of the contract which is passed on to our trusted service providers, such as:

• to our tax adviser to fulfil our tax obligations
• to contracted transport companies/couriers for delivery
• to our IT service provider, for example, for necessary data security measures (back-ups)
• to data processors required for the performance of the contract, etc.

All service providers mentioned here are also subject to the GDPR.

If no contract is concluded, the data stored by us will be deleted after 6 months. If a contract is concluded, all data arising from the contractual relationship will be stored until the expiry of the statutory retention periods (e.g. warranty, product liability, tax retention periods, etc.).

Analytics tools and third-party tools

When you visit our website, your browsing behaviour may be statistically analysed. This is primarily done using cookies and so-called analytics programmes. The analysis of your browsing behaviour is generally carried out anonymously; your browsing behaviour cannot be traced back to you. You may object to this analysis or prevent it by not using certain tools. Detailed information on these tools and your options for objecting can be found in the following privacy policy.

2. Hosting

External hosting

Our website is hosted by an external service provider (host). Personal data collected on this website is stored on the host’s servers. This may primarily include IP addresses, contact enquiries, meta and communication data, contractual data, contact details, names, website visits and other data generated via a website.

The use of the hosting provider is for the purpose of fulfilling our contractual obligations towards our potential and existing customers (Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR) and in the interests of ensuring the secure, fast and efficient provision of our online services by a professional provider (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR).

Our hosting provider will only process your data to the extent necessary to fulfil its contractual obligations and will comply with our instructions regarding this data.

Conclusion of a data processing agreement

To ensure that data is processed in accordance with data protection regulations, we have entered into a data processing agreement with our hosting provider.

3. General information and mandatory details

Data Protection

The operators of this website take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.

When you use our website, various items of personal data are collected. Personal data is data that can be used to identify you personally. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.

Please note that data transmission over the internet (e.g. when communicating by email) may be subject to security vulnerabilities. It is not possible to guarantee complete protection of data against access by third parties.

Information on the data controller

The data controller for data processing on this website is:

Steinbeis PolyVert GmbH
Werner-Heisenberg-Straße 5
9100 Völkermarkt
Telephone: +43 (0) 4232 / 51220 – 0
Email: office@steinbeis-polyvert.com

The data controller is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data (e.g. names, email addresses, etc.).

Data Protection Coordinator:

Armin Nuart
Steinbeis PolyVert GmbH
Werner-Heisenberg-Straße 5
9100 Völkermarkt
Telephone: +43 (0) 4232 / 51220 – 0

Email: datenschutz@steinbeis-polyvert.com

Withdrawal of your consent to data processing

Many data processing operations are only possible with your explicit consent. You may withdraw any consent you have already given at any time. To do so, simply send us an informal email. The lawfulness of the data processing carried out up to the point of withdrawal remains unaffected by the withdrawal.

Right to object to data collection in specific cases and to direct marketing (Article 21 of the GDPR)

Where data processing is carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the GDPR, you have the right at any time to object to the processing of your personal data on grounds relating to your particular situation; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. You can find the respective legal basis on which processing is based in this privacy policy. If you object, we will no longer process your personal data in question, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims (objection under Article 21(1) of the GDPR). If your personal data is processed for the purposes of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for the purposes of such marketing; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If you object, your personal data will no longer be used for the purposes of direct marketing (objection under Article 21(2) of the GDPR).

Right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority

In the event of infringements of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, their place of work or the place where the alleged infringement occurred. This right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.

Right to data portability

You have the right to have data which we process automatically on the basis of your consent or in fulfilment of a contract provided to you or to a third party in a commonly used, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another data controller, this will only take place to the extent that it is technically feasible.

SSL or TLS encryption

This website uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or enquiries that you send to us as the website operator. You can recognise an encrypted connection by the fact that the address bar of your browser changes from ‘http://’ to ‘https://’ and by the padlock icon in your browser bar. When SSL or TLS encryption is enabled, the data you send to us cannot be read by third parties.

Access, erasure and rectification

In accordance with the applicable legal provisions, you have the right at any time to obtain, free of charge, information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of the data processing, and, where applicable, the right to have this data rectified or erased. You may contact us at any time at the address given in the legal notice regarding this matter or any other questions relating to personal data.

Right to restriction of processing

You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. To do so, you may contact us at any time at the address given in the legal notice. The right to restriction of processing applies in the following cases:

• If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we usually need time to verify this. For the duration of the verification, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.
• If the processing of your personal data has been or is being carried out unlawfully, you may request the restriction of data processing instead of erasure.
• If we no longer require your personal data, but you require it to exercise, defend or assert legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of its erasure.
• If you have lodged an objection under Article 21(1) of the GDPR, a balancing of interests between yours and ours must be carried out. Until it has been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, such data – apart from its storage – may only be processed with your consent or for the purposes of asserting, exercise or defence of legal claims, or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of an important public interest of the European Union or a Member State.

4. Data collection

Cookies

Some of the web pages use so-called cookies. Cookies do not cause any damage to your computer and do not contain viruses. Cookies serve to make our website more user-friendly, effective and secure. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer and saved by your browser.

Most of the cookies we use are so-called ‘session cookies’. They are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Other cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them. These cookies enable us to recognise your browser the next time you visit.

You can configure your browser so that you are notified when cookies are set and can choose to allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, block the acceptance of cookies in specific cases or generally, and enable the automatic deletion of cookies when you close your browser. If you disable cookies, the functionality of this website may be restricted.

Cookies that are necessary for carrying out the electronic communication process or for providing specific functions you have requested (e.g. the shopping basket function) are stored on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing cookies to ensure the technically fault-free and optimised provision of its services. Where consent has been sought (e.g. consent to the storage of cookies), processing takes place exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR; consent may be withdrawn at any time. Where other cookies (e.g. cookies used to analyse your browsing behaviour) are stored, these are dealt with separately in this privacy policy.

Server log files

The website provider automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser automatically transmits to us. These include:

• browser type and browser version
• Operating system used
• Referrer URL
• Host name of the accessing computer
• Time of the server request
• IP address

This data is not combined with other data sources.

This data is collected on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in ensuring the technically flawless display and optimisation of its website – to this end, the server log files must be recorded.

Contact form

If you send us enquiries via the contact form, the details you provide in the enquiry form – including the contact details you enter there – will be stored by us for the purpose of processing your enquiry and in the event of any follow-up questions. We will not pass on this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, provided that your enquiry relates to the performance of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective handling of enquiries addressed to us (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) or on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR), provided that this has been requested.

The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request its deletion, withdraw your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g. once your enquiry has been fully processed). Mandatory legal provisions – in particular retention periods – remain unaffected.

Enquiries by email, telephone, fax, post or in person

If you contact us by email, telephone, fax, post or in person, your enquiry, including all personal data contained therein (name, enquiry), will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of dealing with your request. We will not pass on this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, provided that your enquiry relates to the performance of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR) and/or on our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR), as we have a legitimate interest in the effective processing of enquiries addressed to us.

The data you send to us via contact enquiries will remain with us until you request its deletion, withdraw your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g. once your enquiry has been fully processed). Mandatory legal provisions – in particular statutory retention periods – remain unaffected.

5. Analytics tools and advertising

Google Analytics

This website uses features of the web analytics service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (‘Google’), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics uses so-called ‘cookies’. These are text files that are stored on your computer and enable an analysis of your use of the website. The information generated by the cookie regarding your use of this website is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

The storage of Google Analytics cookies and the use of this analytics tool are based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analysing user behaviour in order to optimise both its website and its advertising. Where consent has been sought (e.g. consent to the storage of cookies), processing takes place exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR; consent may be withdrawn at any time.

IP anonymisation

We have enabled the IP anonymisation feature on this website. This means that your IP address is truncated by Google within Member States of the European Union or in other States party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area before being transmitted to the USA. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address transmitted to a Google server in the USA and truncated there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity and to provide the website operator with other services relating to website and internet usage. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other data held by Google.

Browser plug-in

You can prevent cookies from being stored by adjusting your browser settings accordingly; however, please note that, in this case, you may not be able to make full use of all the functions of this website. You can also prevent the collection of data generated by the cookie and relating to your use of the website (including your IP address) by Google, as well as the processing of this data by Google, by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available via the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

Objection to data collection

You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by clicking on the following link. An opt-out cookie will be set to prevent your data from being collected during future visits to this website:

Disable Google Analytics.

Further information on how Google Analytics handles user data can be found in Google’s privacy policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

Data processing on behalf of a client

We have entered into a data processing agreement with Google and fully comply with the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.

Retention period

Data stored by Google at user and event level that is linked to cookies, user identifiers (e.g. User ID) or advertising IDs (e.g. DoubleClick cookies, Android Advertising ID) is anonymised or deleted after 14 months. Further details can be found at the following link: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7667196?hl=de

Use of script libraries (Google Web Fonts)

To display the content of our website correctly and in a visually appealing way, we use script and font libraries such as Google Web Fonts (www.google.com/webfonts). These are transferred to your browser’s cache to prevent them from being reloaded multiple times. Should your browser not support Google Web Fonts or block access to them, content will be displayed in a standard font. Accessing script or font libraries automatically establishes a connection with the library operator. In theory, it is possible that the operators of such libraries may collect data. Through its certification under the EU-US Privacy Shield, Google guarantees compliance with European data protection regulations, even when data is processed in the USA. The privacy policy of the library operator, Google, can be found at: www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy.

WordPress Stats

This website uses the WordPress tool Stats to analyse visitor traffic statistically. The provider is Automattic Inc., 60 29th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110-4929, USA.

WordPress Stats uses cookies that are stored on your computer and enable an analysis of website usage. The information generated by the cookies regarding your use of this website is stored on servers in the USA. Your IP address is anonymised after processing and before storage.

‘WordPress Stats’ cookies remain on your device until you delete them.

The storage of ‘WordPress Stats’ cookies and the use of this analytics tool are based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the anonymised analysis of user behaviour in order to optimise both its website and its advertising. Where relevant consent has been sought (e.g. consent to the storage of cookies), processing takes place exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR; consent may be withdrawn at any time.

You can configure your browser so that you are notified when cookies are set and can choose to allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, block the acceptance of cookies in specific cases or generally, and enable the automatic deletion of cookies when you close your browser. If you disable cookies, the functionality of this website may be restricted.

You can object to the collection and use of your data in future by setting an opt-out cookie in your browser by clicking on this link: https://www.quantcast.com/opt-out/.

If you delete the cookies from your computer, you will need to set the opt-out cookie again.

6. Plugins and tools

Google Maps

This site uses the Google Maps mapping service via an API. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

To use the functions of Google Maps, it is necessary to store your IP address. This information is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

The provider of this website has no influence over this data transfer.

The use of Google Maps is in the interests of presenting our online services in an appealing manner and ensuring that the locations specified on our website can be easily found. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.

Further information on the handling of user data can be found in Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

7. Our own services

Handling of applicant data

We offer you the opportunity to apply for a job with us (e.g. by email or post). Below, we provide information on the scope, purpose and use of your personal data collected as part of the application process. We assure you that the collection, processing and use of your data are carried out in accordance with applicable data protection law and all other statutory provisions, and that your data will be treated as strictly confidential.

Scope and purpose of data collection

When you submit an application to us, we process your associated personal data (e.g. contact and communication details, application documents, notes taken during interviews, etc.) to the extent necessary to decide whether to enter into an employment relationship.

As a general rule, the applicant’s personal data should not include the following information:

• Health data (e.g. illnesses, pregnancy, etc.)
• Ethnic and/or racial origin
• Political opinions
• Religious and/or philosophical beliefs
• Trade union membership
• Details of sexual life or sexual orientation

Should you nevertheless voluntarily provide us with sensitive data, you expressly consent to us processing this data for the purposes of your application and recruitment.

We and external service providers commissioned by us process your personal data in accordance with the provisions of the EU General Data Protection Regulation, national data protection laws and other relevant national legislation. The data processing serves, in particular, to carry out the application management process with a view to establishing an employment relationship. The primary legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR (pre-contractual measures) and – provided you have given your consent – Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR. Consent may be withdrawn at any time. Within our organisation, your personal data will be disclosed exclusively to those individuals involved in processing your application. Should your application be successful, the data you have submitted will be stored in our data processing systems for the purpose of managing the employment relationship.

Data retention period

If we are unable to make you a job offer, if you decline a job offer or if you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you have provided on the basis of our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) for up to 6 months from the end of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application). The data will then be deleted and the physical application documents destroyed. The data is retained in particular for evidential purposes in the event of a legal dispute. If it is apparent that the data will be required after the expiry of the 6-month period (e.g. due to an impending or pending legal dispute), the data will not be deleted until the purpose for its continued retention no longer applies.

Data may also be retained for a longer period if you have given your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR) or if statutory retention obligations prevent deletion.

Inclusion in the candidate pool

If we do not make you a job offer, there may be the option of adding you to our candidate pool. If you are added to the pool, all documents and details from your application will be transferred to the candidate pool so that we can contact you should suitable vacancies arise.

Inclusion in the candidate pool is based solely on your explicit consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR). Giving your consent is voluntary and is unrelated to the current application process. The data subject may withdraw their consent at any time. In this case, the data in the candidate pool will be irrevocably deleted, provided there are no legal grounds for retention. The data in the candidate pool will be irrevocably deleted no later than two years after consent is given.

8. General

We reserve the right to amend this Privacy Policy at any time with future effect; the current version is available on our website.

As at: December 2021

Should individual provisions of this policy be invalid or unenforceable, or become invalid or unenforceable after publication, this shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the policy. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid and enforceable provision whose effects come closest to the economic objective which the author intended to achieve with the invalid or unenforceable provision. The above provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis in the event that the declaration proves to be incomplete.