Data Protection

We are pleased that you are visiting our website and thank you for your interest. On the following pages, we inform you about the handling of your personal data when using our website. Personal data is all data with which you can be personally identified.

The controller in charge of data processing on this website, within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is GSA Gesellschaft für Schadstoffanalytik GmbH, Christinenstraße 3, 40880 Ratingen, Deutschland, Tel.: +49 (0)2102 / 94 27 3 – 0, Fax: +49 (0)2102 / 94 27 3 – 38, E-Mail: info@gsa-ratingen.de. The controller in charge of the processing of personal data is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.

This website uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of personal data and other confidential content (e.g. orders or inquiries to the controller). You can recognize an encrypted connection by the character string https:// and the lock symbol in your browser line.

When using our website for information only, i.e. if you do not register or otherwise provide us with information, we only collect data that your browser transmits to our server (so-called «server log files»). When you visit our website, we collect the following data that is technically necessary for us to display the website to you:

• Our visited website
• Date and time at the moment of access
• Amount of data sent in bytes
• Source/reference from which you came to the page
• Browser used
• Operating system used
• IP address used (if applicable: in anonymized form)

Data processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website. The data will not be passed on or used in any other way. However, we reserve the right to check the server log files subsequently, if there are any concrete indications of illegal use.

In order to make visiting our website attractive and to enable the use of certain functions, we use cookies, i.e. small text files that are stored on your terminal device. In some cases, these cookies are automatically deleted again after closing the browser (so-called “session cookies”), in other cases, these cookies remain on your end device for a longer period of time and enable the storage of page settings (so-called “persistent cookies”). In the latter case, you can read the storage period in the overview of the cookie settings of your web browser.

Insofar as personal data is also processed by individual cookies used by us, the processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b DSGVO either for the fulfilment of the contract, according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO in the case of consent given or according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO to protect our legitimate interests in the best possible functionality of the website and a customer-friendly and effective design of the page visit.

You can set your browser in such a way that you are informed about the setting of cookies and can decide individually about their acceptance or can exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or generally.

Please note that the functionality of our website may be limited if you do not accept cookies.

In the context of contacting us (e.g. via contact form or e-mail), personal data is collected. Which data is collected in the case of a contact form can be seen from the respective contact form. These data are stored and used exclusively for the purpose of responding to your request or for establishing contact and for the associated technical administration. The legal basis for processing data is our legitimate interest in responding to your request in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR. If your contact is aimed at concluding a contract, the additional legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 (1) point b GDPR. Your data will be deleted after final processing of your enquiry; this is the case if it can be inferred from the circumstances that the facts in question have been finally clarified, provided that there are no legal storage obligations to the contrary.

If you subscribe to our e-mail newsletter, we will send you regular information about our offers. The only mandatory information for sending the newsletter is your e-mail address. The indication of additional possible data is voluntary and is used to be able to address you personally. We use the so-called double opt-in procedure for sending the newsletter. This means that we will not send you an e-mail newsletter, unless you have expressly confirmed to us that you agree to the sending of the newsletter. We will then send you a confirmation e-mail asking you to confirm that you wish to receive future newsletters by clicking on an appropriate link.

By activating the confirmation link, you give us your consent to the use of your personal data in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point a GDPR. When you register for the newsletter, we store your IP address entered by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) as well as the date and time of registration so that we can trace any possible misuse of your e-mail address at a later time. The data collected by us when registering for the newsletter will be used exclusively for the purpose of advertising by means of the newsletter. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time via the link provided in the newsletter or by sending a message to the responsible person named above. After your cancellation, your e-mail address will immediately be deleted from our newsletter distribution list, unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data or we reserve the right to use data in excess thereof, which is permitted by law and about which we inform you in this declaration.

Sending the e-mail newsletter to existing customers

If you have provided us with your e-mail address when purchasing products, we reserve the right to regularly send you offers for products similar to those already purchased from our range by e-mail. Pursuant to Section 7 (3) German law against unfair competition, we do not need to obtain separate consent from you for this. In this respect, data processing is carried out solely on the basis of our legitimate interest in personalized direct advertising pursuant to Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR. If you have initially objected to the use of your e-mail address for this purpose, we will not send you an e-mail. You are entitled to object to the use of your e-mail address for the aforementioned advertising purpose at any time with effect for the future by notifying the controller named at the beginning. In this regard, you only have to pay the transmission costs according to the basic tariffs. Upon receipt of your objection, the use of your e-mail address for advertising purposes will cease immediately.

Newsletter dispatch via CleverReach

Our e-mail newsletter is sent by the technical service provider CleverReach GmbH & Co. KG, Mühlenstr. 43, 26 180 Rastede («CleverReach»), to which we pass on your data provided during the newsletter registration. This disclosure is made in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR and serves our legitimate interest in the use of an effective, secure and user-friendly newsletter system. The data you enter for newsletter subscription (e.g. e-mail address) will be stored on CleverReach’s servers in Germany and Ireland.

CleverReach uses this information to send and statistically evaluate newsletters on our behalf. For evaluation purposes, the e-mails sent contain so-called web beacons or tracking pixels, which represent single-pixel image files stored on our website. This allows us to determine whether a newsletter message has been opened and which links have been clicked on. With the help of the so-called conversion tracking, it can also be analyzed whether a pre-defined action (e.g. purchase of a product on our website) has taken place after clicking on the link in the newsletter. In addition, technical information is recorded (e.g. time of retrieval, IP address, browser type and operating system). The data is exclusively raised in a pseudonymized format and is not linked with your other personal data to prevent you from being identified. This data is exclusively used for statistical analysis of newsletter campaigns. The results of these analyses can be used to better adapt future newsletters to the interests of the recipients.

If you wish to object to the data analysis for statistical evaluation purposes, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter.
We have concluded an order processing agreement with CleverReach obliging CleverReach to protect our customers’ data and not to pass it on to third parties.
You can read more about CleverReach’s data analysis at: www.cleverreach.com/en/features/reporting-tracking/

You can view CleverReach’s privacy policy at: www.cleverreach.com/en/privacy-policy/

Based on our legitimate interest in personalized direct mail, we reserve the right to store your first and last name, your postal address and — if we have received this additional information from you within the framework of the contractual relationship — your title, academic degree, year of birth and your professional, industry or business name in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR and to use them for sending interesting offers and information on our products by letter post.

You can object to the storage and use of your data for this purpose at any time by sending an appropriate message to the controller.

To process your order, we work together with the following service provider (s), which support us wholly or partially in the execution of concluded contracts. Certain personal data is transferred to these service providers in accordance with the following information.

The personal data collected by us will be passed on to the transport company commissioned with the delivery within the scope of contract processing, insofar as this is necessary for the delivery of the goods. We will pass on your payment data to the commissioned credit institution within the framework of payment processing, if this is necessary for payment handling. If payment service providers are used, we explicitly inform you of this below. The legal basis for the transfer of data is Art. 6 (1) point b GDPR.

Passing on Personal Data to Shipping Service Providers

DHL

If delivery of goods takes place by the transport service provider DHL (Deutsche Post AG, Charles-de-Gaulle-Straße 20, 53 113 Bonn) or DHL Express (DHL Express Germany GmbH, Heinrich-Brüning-Str. 5, 53 133 Bonn), we will pass on your e-mail address and/or telephone number to DHL or DHL Express in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point a GDPR, prior to delivery of the goods, for the purpose of coordinating a date of delivery or of a notice about the shipment status, if you have given your express consent during the ordering process. Otherwise, only the name of the recipient and the delivery address will be passed on to DHL for the purpose of delivery in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point b GDPR. The data will only be passed on if this is necessary for the delivery of the goods. In this case, prior agreement of the delivery date with DHL or transmission of status information for shipment delivery is not possible.

The consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future either with the controller or with the transport service provider DHL.

Webhosting

The website www.gsa-ratingen.de is operated by us. The webhosting is provided by the company jweiland.net, Inhaber: Jochen Weiland, Echterdinger Str. 57, 70 794 Filderstadt, Germany. In ordert o ensure, that the data of the users is handled according to legal requirements, we have signed a contract data processing agreement on the basis of DSGVO Art. 28 (3) with jweiland.net. Based on this agreement the data is collected, processed and saved in accordance with our instructions only. User data is not used for any other purposes.

jweiland.net is a German company with servers located in Germany.

Own Evaluation Reminder (No Dispatch by a Customer Evaluation System)

We use your e-mail address as a one-off reminder for submitting an evaluation of your services regarding the evaluation system used by us, provided you have given us your express consent during or after placing your order in accordance with Art. 6 (1) point a GDPR.

You can revoke your consent at any time by sending a message to the controller responsible for data processing

Use of Youtube Videos

This website uses the Youtube embedding function for display and playback of videos offered by the provider Youtube, which belongs to Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94 043, USA («Google»).

To this end, the extended data protection mode is used to ensure, according to provider information, that user information will only be stored once the playback function of the video is started. When the playback of embedded YouTube videos is started, the provider sets «YouTube» cookies in order to collect information about user behavior. According to indications from Youtube, the use of those cookies is intended, among other things, to record video statistics, to improve user-friendliness and to avoid improper actions. If you are logged in to Google, your information will be directly associated with your account when you click on a video. If you do not wish to be associated with your profile on YouTube, you must log out before activating the button. Google saves your data (even for users who are not logged in) as usage profiles and evaluates them. Such an evaluation takes place in particular according to Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR on the basis of the legitimate interests of Google in the insertion of personalized advertising, market research and/or demand-oriented design of its website. You have the right to object to the creation of these user profiles, whereby you must contact YouTube to exercise this right.

Regardless of whether the embedded video is played back, a connection to the Google network «double click» is established when visiting this website. This may trigger further data processing beyond our control.

Google LLC, based in the USA, is certified for the US-European data protection agreement «Privacy Shield», which guarantees compliance with the data protection level applicable in the EU.

Further information on YouTube data protection can be found in the provider’s data protection statement at: www.google.com/policies/privacy/

Google (Universal) Analytics

This website uses Google (Universal) Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland (“Google”). Google (Universal) Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website (including the abbreviated IP address) is usually transferred to a Google server and stored there and may also be transferred to the servers of Google LLC. in the USA.
This website uses Google (Universal) Analytics exclusively with the extension “_anonymizeIp()”, which ensures anonymization of the IP address by shortening it and excludes the possibility of direct personal reference. Through the extension, your IP address will be shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other signatory states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area before. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transferred to a server of Google LLC. in the USA and shortened there. On our behalf, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on the website activities and to provide us with further services related to the use of the website and the Internet. The IP address transmitted by your browser within the framework of Google (Universal) Analytics is not combined with other Google data.
Via a special function called “Demographics”, Google Analytics also enables the compilation of statistics with statements about the age, gender and interests of site visitors based on an evaluation of interest-related advertising and with the use of third-party information. This allows the definition and differentiation of user groups of the website for the purpose of target-group-optimized marketing measures. However, data sets collected via “Demographics” cannot be assigned to a specific person.
Details on the processing operations initiated and on Google’s handling of data collected from websites can be found here: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites?hl=en
All the processing described above, in particular the setting of Google Analytics cookies for reading information on the terminal device used, is only carried out if you have given us your express consent in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 letter a GDPR. Without this consent, the use of Google Analytics during your visit to our website will not take place.
You can withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your right of withdrawal of consent, please deactivate this service in the “Cookie-Consent-Tool” provided on the website. We have concluded a data processing agreement with Google for the use of Google Analytics, which obliges Google to protect the data of our site visitors and not to pass it on to third parties.
For the transmission of data from the EU to the USA, Google relies on so-called standard data protection clauses of the European Commission, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European data protection level in the USA.
Further information about Google (Universal) Analytics can be found here: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en&gl=en

Google Analytics 4

This website uses Google Analytics 4, a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland (“Google”), which enables analysis of how you use our website.

Google Analytics sets 4 cookies by default when you visit the website, which are stored as small text modules on your terminal device and collect certain information. The scope of this information also includes your IP address, which is, however, shortened by Google by the last digits in order to exclude a direct personal reference.

The information is transferred to Google’s servers and processed there. This may also involve transmission to Google LLC, which is based in the USA.

Google uses the information collected on our behalf to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity for us and to provide other services related to website activity and internet usage. The IP address transmitted and shortened by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other Google data. The data collected in the context of the use of Google Analytics 4 will be stored for a period of two months and then deleted.

All of the processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies on the end device used, only takes place if you have given us your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO.
Google Analytics 4 will not be used during your visit to the website without your consent. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your right of revocation, please deactivate this service via the “Cookie Consent Tool” provided on the website.

We have concluded an order processing contract with Google, which guarantees the protection of our website visitors’ data and excludes unauthorised disclosure to third parties.
For the transfer of data to the USA, Google refers to standard contractual clauses of the European Commission, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European level of data protection.
Further legal information on Google Analytics 4, including a copy of the aforementioned standard contractual clauses, can be found at https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=de and at https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.

Demographic characteristics
Google Analytics 4 uses the special “Demographic Characteristics” function and can thus generate statistics that make statements about the age, gender and interests of website visitors. This is done by analysing advertising and information from third-party providers. In this way, target groups for marketing activities can be identified. However, the collected data cannot be assigned to a specific person and is deleted after a storage period of two months.

Google signals
As an extension to Google Analytics 4, Google Signals can be used on this website to provide cross-device reporting. If you have activated personalised ads and linked your devices to your Google account, Google may, subject to your consent to the use of Google Analytics pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO, analyse your usage behaviour across devices and create database models, including on cross-device conversions. We do not receive any personal data from Google, only statistics. If you would like to stop the cross-device analysis, you can deactivate the “Personalised advertising” function in the settings of your Google account. To do so, follow the instructions on this page: https://support.google.com/ads/answer/2662922?hl=de You can find more information on Google Signals at the following link: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7532985?hl=de

User IDs
As an extension to Google Analytics 4, the “UserIDs” function can be used on this website. Provided you have consented to the use of Google Analytics 4, this is in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO, have set up an account on this website and log in with this account on different devices, your activities, including conversions, can be analysed across devices.

Google Tag Manager

This website uses the “Google Tag Manager”, a service of the following provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland (hereinafter: “Google”).

The Google Tag Manager provides a technical basis for bundling various web applications, including tracking and analysis services, and for calibrating, controlling and imposing conditions via a uniform user interface. The Google Tag Manager itself does not store any information on user devices or read them. The service also does not perform any independent data analyses. However, the Google Tag Manager transmits your IP address to Google when a page is called up and may store it there. Transmission to servers of Google LLC. in the USA is also possible. in the USA is possible.

This processing only takes place if you have given us your express consent in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a DSGVO. Without this consent, the Google Tag Manager will not be used when you visit the website. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To make use of your revocation, please deactivate this service in the “Cookie Consent Tool” provided on the website.

We have concluded an order processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our website visitors’ data and excludes unauthorised disclosure to third parties.

When transferring data to the USA, the provider invokes standard contractual clauses of the European Commission, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European level of data protection.

Google Maps

Our website uses Google Maps (AP’I) of Google LLC., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94 043, USA («Google»). Google Maps is a web service for displaying interactive (country) maps in order to display geographical information visually. Using this service will show you our location and will make it easier for you to find us.

When you access the sub-pages that contain the Google Maps map, information about your use of our website (such as your IP address) is transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. This is regardless of whether Google provides a user account that you are logged in with or whether no user account exists. If you are logged in to Google, your information will be directly associated with your account. If you do not wish to be associated with your profile on Google, you must log out before activating the button. Google saves your data (even for users who are not logged in) as usage profiles and evaluates them. Such an evaluation takes place according to Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR on the basis of the legitimate interests of Google in the insertion of personalized advertising, market research and/or demand-oriented design of its website. You have the right to object to the creation of these user profiles. If you want to do so, you must contact Google to exercise this right.

Google LLC, based in the United States, is certified for the US-European data protection agreement «Privacy Shield», which guarantees compliance with the data protection level applicable in the EU.

If you do not agree to the future transmission of your data to Google in the context of using Google Maps, you may completely deactivate the Google Maps web service by switching off the JavaScript application in your browser. In this case, Google Maps as well as the map display on this website cannot be used.

The Google terms of use can be found at: policies.google.com/terms. The additional terms of use can be found at: www.google.com/intl/en-US_US/help/terms_maps.html.

You can find detailed information on data protection in connection with the use of Google Maps on Google’s website («Google Privacy Policy») at: policies.google.com/privacy.

The applicable data protection law grants you the following comprehensive rights of data subjects (rights of information and intervention) vis-à-vis the data controller with regard to the processing of your personal data:

– Right of access by the data subject pursuant to Art. 15 GDPR: You shall have the right to receive the following information: The personal data processed by us; the purposes of the processing; the categories of processed personal data; the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed; the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period; the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing personal data concerning the data subject or to object to such processing; the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority; where the personal are not collected from the data subject, any available information as to their source; the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling and at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject; the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Article 46 when personal data is transferred to a third country.

– Right to rectification pursuant to Art. 16 GDPR: You have the right to obtain from the controller without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you and/or the right to have incomplete personal data completed which are stored by us.

– Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”) pursuant to Art. 17 GDPR: You have the right to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning you if the conditions of Art. 17 (2) GDPR are fulfilled. However, this right will not apply for exercising the freedom of expression and information, for compliance with a legal obligation, for reasons of public interest or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

– Right to restriction of processing pursuant to Art. 18 GDPR: You have the right to obtain from the controller restriction of processing your personal data for the following reasons: As long as the accuracy of your personal data contested by you will be verified. If you oppose the erasure of your personal data because of unlawful processing and you request the restriction of their use instead. If you require the personal data for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims, once we no longer need those data for the purposes of the processing. If you have objected to processing on grounds relating to your personal situation pending the verification whether our legitimate grounds override your grounds.

– Right to be informed pursuant to Art. 19 GDPR: If you have asserted the right of rectification, erasure or restriction of processing against the controller, he is obliged to communicate to each recipient to whom the personal date has been disclosed any rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing, unless this proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort. You have the right to be informed about those recipients.

– Right to data portability pursuant to Art. 20 GDPR: You shall have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format or to require that those data be transmitted to another controller, where technically feasible.

– Right to withdraw a given consent pursuant to Art. 7 (3) GDPR: You have the right to withdraw your consent for the processing of personal data at any time with effect for the future. In the event of withdrawal, we will immediately erase the data concerned, unless further processing can be based on a legal basis for processing without consent. The withdrawal of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

– Right to lodge a complaint pursuant to Art. 77 GDPR: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

RIGHT TO OBJECT

IF, WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF A CONSIDERATION OF INTERESTS, WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA ON THE BASIS OF OUR PREDOMINANT LEGITIMATE INTEREST, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO OBJECT TO THIS PROCESSING WITH EFFECT FOR THE FUTURE ON THE GROUNDS THAT ARISE FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.
IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL STOP PROCESSING THE DATA CONCERNED. HOWEVER, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO FURTHER PROCESSING IF WE CAN PROVE COMPELLING REASONS WORTHY OF PROTECTION FOR PROCESSING WHICH OUTWEIGH YOUR INTERESTS, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, OR IF THE PROCESSING SERVES TO ASSERT, EXERCISE OR DEFEND LEGAL CLAIMS.

IF WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA WHICH ARE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES. YOU MAY EXERCISE THE OBJECTION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL STOP PROCESSING THE DATA CONCERNED FOR DIRECT ADVERTISING PURPOSES.

The duration of the storage of personal data is based on the respective legal basis, the purpose of processing and – if relevant – on the respective legal retention period (e.g. commercial and tax retention periods).

If personal data is processed on the basis of an express consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) point a GDPR, this data is stored until the data subject revokes his consent.

If there are legal storage periods for data that is processed within the framework of legal or similar obligations on the basis of Art. 6 (1) point b GDPR, this data will be routinely deleted after expiry of the storage periods if it is no longer necessary for the fulfillment of the contract or the initiation of the contract and/or if we no longer have a justified interest in further storage.

When processing personal data on the basis of Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR, this data is stored until the data subject exercises his right of objection in accordance with Art. 21 (1) GDPR, unless we can provide compelling grounds for processing worthy of protection which outweigh the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing serves to assert, exercise or defend legal claims.

If personal data is processed for the purpose of direct marketing on the basis of Art. 6 (1) point f GDPR, this data is stored until the data subject exercises his right of objection pursuant to Art. 21 (2) GDPR.

Unless otherwise stated in the information contained in this declaration on specific processing situations, stored personal data will be deleted if it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed.