Use of cookies on our website

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are assigned to and stored on your hard drive by the browser you use and through which certain information flows to the entity that sets the cookie (here by us). Cookies cannot execute programs or transmit viruses to your computer. They are used to make Internet services more user-friendly and effective as a whole.

You can find a detailed overview of the cookies used and their storage duration here.

2. What types of cookies are used?

This website uses the following types of cookies, the scope and function of which are explained below:

• Session cookies
• Persistent cookies

Session cookies store a session ID which is used to assign various requests from your browser to the shared session. The session cookies are deleted when you log out or close the browser. If you start your browser again and return to the website, it will not recognize you.

You have to log in once more (if logging in is necessary) or you have to set layouts and preferences again, if the website provides such functions. This will result in the generation of a new session cookie which will store your information and remain active until you leave the site again and close your browser.

Persistent cookies are automatically deleted after a predefined time period, which may vary according to the cookie. You can delete the cookies at any time using your browser’s security settings.

3. What do we use cookies for?

Basic information

1) Cookies required for technical reasons

Description: Technically necessary cookies enable the use of our website by enabling basic functions such as page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. Visiting our website cannot function properly without these cookies.

Storage period: Persistent and session cookies have different storage periods.

2) Performance (e.g. the user’s browser) and preferences

Description: Cookies are set when you use our website (e.g. to recognize the browser) in order to improve performance (e.g. quicker loading of content). When you visit our web-site, the country and language choice detected, or selected by you, is stored in cookies so that you do not need to select them again during subsequent visits. Checks are made in advance as to whether your browser supports cookies and this information is held in an additional cookie.

You are then shown localized country- and language-related contact information, which is also stored. The legal basis for this is our legitimate interest (Article 6(1f) GDPR for the EU).

Storage period: Session cookies are deleted when the browser is closed.

3) Analysis cookies (statistics)

Description: We use analysis cookies from third-party providers in order to understand how visitors use our site. This helps us improve the quality and content of our site. The aggregated statistical information includes data such as the total number of visitors. For example, we learn how often and in which order the individual pages were called and how much time the average visitor spends on our pages. We also find out whether users have already visited our website at some point in the past.

The legal basis for this is our legitimate interest (Article 6(1f) GDPR for the EU).

Storage period: Persistent cookies re-main in place but are deleted automatically after one year if the website has not been visited again, unless a shorter period applies in any particular case (see detailed overview).

4) Advertising cookies (marketing)

Description: We use advertising cookies to gage the effectiveness of our advertising activities and make enhancements on that basis. The legal basis for this is our legitimate inter-est (Article 6(1f) GDPR for the EU).

Storage period: Persistent cookies re-main in place but are deleted automatically after one year if the website has not been visited again, unless a shorter period applies in any particular case (see detailed overview).

Detailed overview: You can download a detailed overview of the cookies used and their storage periods here.

4. Can I control cookies myself?

You can configure your browser so that you are notified about the setting of cookies and allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, decline to accept cookies generally or in specific cases, and activate automatic deletion of cookies when the browser is closed. The functionality of this website may be limited if you disable cookies.