privacy

Privacy Policy

We at item Industrietechnik GmbH (“item”, “we” or “us”) take our data protection responsibilities very seriously. Accordingly, protecting your privacy and your personal data is very important to us. We therefore want to provide you with this Privacy Policy, which explains in more detail which personal data is collected by whom during your visit to our website, and how this data is used. We collect, process and use your personal data in accordance with this Privacy Policy, as well as the applicable data protection laws, especially the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”).

1. Controller

This website (the “Website”) is operated by item. The controller responsible for the processing of personal data within the scope of this website pursuant to the provisions of the GDPR is:

item Industrietechnik GmbH
Friedenstraße 107-109
42699 Solingen

Germany

Telephone: +49/212 65 80 -300

You can get in touch with us if you have questions regarding the processing of your personal data, and with information requests, suggestions, or complaints:

You can contact our data protection officer at:

item Industrietechnik GmbH
DATA PROTECTION
Friedenstrasse 107-109
42699 Solingen
Germany
E-Mail: datenschutz@item24.com

2. Collection and processing of personal data, purposes and legal basis of processing, retention period

The term “personal data” includes all individual details on the personal or material circumstances of an identified or identifiable natural person. This includes information such as your name, your address and your telephone number.

Purely statistical/aggregated information which cannot be connected to you, such as the number of users on a site, is not personal data.

2.1 Usage data which is collected automatically when you visit our website

Where you do not log in or register in the course of using the Website, or otherwise transfer information, item – like every other website – only collects data which your browser transfers automatically, in order to allow you to visit our website. This so-called usage data is logged in server logfiles.

This data includes the following:

IP address (internet protocol address) of the computer you accessed the Website from;
Web address of the website from which the Website was called up (so-called origin or referrer URL);
Name of service provider you use to visit the Website;
Name of the files and/or information retrieved;
Date, time and duration of the retrieval;
quantity of data transferred;
Operating system and information on the internet browser of the computer accessing the Website;
http status code (e.g. “Request successful”, or “Requested file not found”).

item stores IP addresses and/or logfile information like the above for security reasons (e.g. in order to identify attempted attacks) for a limited period of time. We process the data accordingly on the basis of our legitimate interests pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) GDPR.

2.2 Personal data collected when you register for our website

We collect, store, process and use the personal data you provide when you create a user account (i) to provide our product and service information, and (ii) to establish, carry out and process the contracts concluded with us. The whole purchase is processed exclusively via the domain item24.de. It is only possible to retrieve a product and service catalogue via other domains.

You must register and create a user account in order to be able to retrieve product and service information, and to be able to complete processing via the domain item24.de.

We process the following details, which are required for registration (where not marked as “optional” below):

first name and surname;
email address;
company name;
address;
country;
telephone number;
business area;
company size (optional);
field of work of the person registering (optional);
a password of your choice.

In order to complete the online sale, i.e. in order to establish, carry out and process the contracts concluded with us via the domain item24.de, we also collect your

VAT identification number (it is not possible to conclude a contract with us without this);
payment information and/or bank account details;
shipping details (such as billing and delivery address, where this differs from the address already provided).

We store information which we access in order to manage your user account for as long as your user account is active.

We process the data in order to be able to convey our services and products to you within the scope of fulfilling the contract according to Article 6(1)(b) GDPR.

When you create a user account, the information you provide there is stored subject to your consent. You can always change the information your provide there (with the exception of the information on your business area, company size and field of activity), or delete the account, in the customer area. We retain information relating to your online transactions for six years.

2.3 Personal data within the scope of personalised email communication

In order to regularly provide you with information on our company and our offers, we can send you tailored emails regarding item services and products which may be of interest to you. The same applies to email communication in connection with our item blog or item webinars. You can sign up to receive these emails. For this purpose we use Eloqua, as described in more detail under Section 3.5. When your registration is confirmed, your IP address will be stored so that we can prove your registration in case of doubt. If you register for this email, we will collect the following additional data:

email;
first name and surname;
your consent;
other details which you provide.

You can unsubscribe from our email at any time by writing to datenschutz@item24.com, or by clicking a corresponding ‘unsubscribe’ link.

We send you this email on the basis of your explicit consent according to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR.

Information which we store for direct marketing purposes, so that we can send you tailored emails and other product and service information, are stored for as long as you are interested in our marketing communication.

2.4 Website analysis and marketing

We use "cookies" to enable the use of certain functions. See Clause 3 for more details.

2.5 Online learning platform “item Academy”

2.5.1 Public area

The item Academy is your online learning platform for online training sessions, step-by-step instructions and teaching videos relating to engineering and the world of item products. If you wish to use the item Academy, you must first register on our website. The mandatory information to register on our website is as follows:

first name and surname;
company name;
street, postcode, city, country;
telephone, company type and email address.

If you successfully register with item, you can then use your account to log into the “item Academy”. You can manage, change and erase any information you want to in the protected customer area.

As soon as you are logged in, other registered users will be shown that you are logged on in the item Academy, so that other users can contact you (“status display/Who’s online”). You can deactivate this function in your profile. Other data about you may be shown to other users if you activate the corresponding setting in your account. Your posts on the forum and in the chat can only be read by registered users and are anonymised as soon as you delete your item Academy account.

We also process your learning progress data, by logging which training sessions you have started, which you have or have not started/completed. We will use this learning progress data to send you tailored further training material, product information, data, information, figures, plans, drawings, calculations, executive instructions, installation instructions, product descriptions, assembly instructions and other documents, to the email you provided when registering. We also reserve the right to contact you by phone for these purposes. If you do not wish to receive any further documents by email or information by phone, you can deselect this option in your user profile and/or inform us directly.

The legal basis for data processing relating to the item Academy is Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR.

We store information which we access in order to manage your online account or profile for as long as your account or profile is active.

2.5.2 Internal area for item employees

After successful registration in the item Academy, item employees receive access to the public area, and also access to the internal employee area. If you do not want to register in the item Academy, we will give you access to the internal area. In the internal area of the item Academy, you can participate in employee training courses to further your professional expertise and skills or complete training courses that are necessary for work. The training courses are coordinated between you and your line manager (m/w/d). As your line manager (m/w/d) will want to know, and also needs to know in some cases, which training courses you have started, participated in and/or completed successfully, we log your learning progress data of the employee training courses in the internal area and we send this data to your line manager (m/w/d). The following information is transferred to your line manager (m/w/d):

- Registration status on the platform (have you registered?)

- First name and surname

- Your email address

- Course title of the started training course(s) in the internal area

- Learning progress in the training courses in the internal area (not started / started /

completed / passed / not passed)

- Time of the change of the learning progress in the internal area

In particular, the following are NOT transferred: the time it takes to process the individual training course(s), the number of attempts to pass the training course(s), the number of access attempts to the content of the training course(s), the time and duration of the access attempt to the content of the training course(s), the time of the last access attempt to the training course(s), number or the content of wrong answers.

We process your learning progress data in the internal employee area (training not started / started / completed / passed / not passed) so that you can coordinate further training courses and seminars with your line manager and your line manager (m/w/d) can see whether and/or where you still need further training. In the case of training courses arranged by the company or necessary training courses (e.g. for statutory prescribed training courses), we process the learning progress data to verify completion of and, possibly, successful completion of the training courses. The same applies for training courses for which you receive a certificate or a performance record, if you pass them

The legal basis for processing your personal data within the internal employee area is § 26 BDSG in conjunction with Art. 88 GDPR.

We keep the transferred information and the analysis(es) of the training courses for the duration of your employment relationship. The data are deleted after the end of your employment relationship.

2.5.3 Internal area for item partner companies / customers

After successful registration in the item Academy, employees from item partner companies/item customers not only receive access to the public area, if the necessary requirements are met, they also receive access to the internal area for item partner companies / customers. If you do not want to register in the item Academy, we will give you access to the internal area for partner companies via our partner companies / customers. Our partner companies can then give you this access. In the internal area of the item Academy, you can participate in training courses to further your professional expertise and skills or complete training courses that are necessary for work. The training courses are coordinated between you and your employer. As your employer will want to know, and also needs to know in some cases, which training courses you have started, participated in and/or completed successfully, we log your learning progress data of the training courses in the internal area for item partner companies / customers and we send this data to your employer. The following information is transferred to your employer:

- Registration status on the platform (have you registered?)

- First name and surname

- Your email address

- Course title of the started training course(s) in the internal area

- Learning progress in the training courses in the internal area (not started / started /

completed / passed / not passed)

- Time of the change of the learning progress in the internal area

We also process your learning progress data in the internal employee in the internal area for item partner companies / customers (training not started / started / completed / passed / not passed) so that you can make recommendations to your employer about which further training courses are suitable for you, and your line manager can see whether and/or where you still need further training. In the case of training courses arranged by the company or necessary training courses (e.g. for statutory prescribed training courses), we process the learning progress data to verify completion of and, possibly, successful completion of the training courses. The same applies for training courses for which you receive a certificate or a performance record, if you pass them.

The legal basis for data processing relating to the item Academy is Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR.

We store information which we access in order to manage your online account or profile for as long as your account or profile is active. Your learning progress data from the training courses in the internal area are transferred to your employer after the end/completion of a course, and we then delete them.

2.6 Other personal data which you provide, for example when you submit a query

Along with the aforementioned user data, item collects and processes personal data if you provide it to us, for example when you contact us by email. The following personal data is especially likely to be collected in this way:

first name, surname;
if applicable, (company) address data (street, house number, postcode, city);
email address;
content of your message to us;
position as well as company and
other company data, such as the name and address of the company (or customer).

Your data is only processed for the purposes of handling and processing your query. We process this data on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) GDPR or Article 6(1)(f) GDPR in order to process your query, regardless of whether it is linked to a contract concluded/initiated with us or not.

We will retain your information for as long as this is necessary to handle your issue. Recordings of routine queries are usually kept for six months. In some cases (for example, if the query relates to a contract concluded between us, or if it is necessary to seek legal advice in order to handle a complaint), it may be necessary to retain the recording of our communication for up to three years.

3. Cookies and similar technologies

3.1 General information on cookies

We use cookies on our websites in order to make our website attractive to visit, to allow certain functions to be used, and to statistically record the use of our website. Cookies are small text files which your browser creates automatically, and which are stored on your end device (laptop, tablet, smartphone or similar) when you visit our site. Cookies do not damage your end device, and do not contain any viruses, trojans or other malware. The cookie stores information generated in connection with the specific end device used. This does not, however, give us direct access to your identity. Most cookies we use are deleted at the end of your browser session (session cookies). We can use these, for example, to display your basket across different sites, so you can see how many articles are currently in your basket, and how high your current purchase value is. Other cookies remain on your computer and allow us to recognise your computer on your next visit (so-called permanent or cross-session cookies). These cookies are designed to make our services more user-friendly, effective and secure. These files allow, for example, information specially tailored to your interests to be displayed to you on the site.

Of course, you can set up your browser in such a way that it does not deposit cookies on your end device. The help function in the menu bar of most web browsers will explain to you how you can prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, how you can let your browser know when you receive a new cookie, and how you can erase all the cookies you have already received, and block all future ones.

To do so, follow the procedure below:

In Internet Explorer:

1. Select “Internet options” in the “Extras” menu.

2. Click on the “Data protection” tab.

3. Now you can configure the security settings for the website. Here you can configure whether and which cookies are accepted or rejected.

4. By clicking “OK”, you confirm your settings.

In Firefox:

1. Select “Settings” in the “Extras” menu.

2. Click on “Data protection”.

3. In the drop-down menu, select the option “Create according to user-defined settings”.

4. You can now configure whether cookies should be accepted and how long you wish to retain these cookies, and add exceptions as to which websites you always or never want to allow cookies on.

5. By clicking “OK”, you confirm your settings.

In Google Chrome:

1. Click on the Chrome menu in the browser’s toolbar.

2. Now select “Settings”.

3. Click on “Display expanded settings”.

4. Under “Data protection”, click on “Content settings”.

5. Under “Cookies”, you can carry out the following settings for cookies:

Erase cookies;
Block cookies as standard;
Erase cookies and website data as standard after quitting the browser;
Allow exceptions for cookies from particular websites or domains.

In Safari (Mac):

1. Click on the gear wheel in the menu bar in the upper-right corner to bring up settings, then click on “Settings”.

2. Click on the “Data protection” tab.

3. Under “Cookies”, you can carry out the following settings for cookies:

Prevent cross-website tracking;
Block all cookies.

4. In order to erase stored cookies and data, select “Manage website data”, then select one or more websites and click on “Remove” or “Remove all”.

5. In order to display which websites store cookies or data: Select “Manage website data”.

However, we wish to point out that without cookies you may not be able to use all of the Website’s functions in full.

We use cookies in connection with the following functions:

You will find all information on the cookie-based tools and functions we use, as well as the option to select or deselect them in our Cookie Manager at the bottom of each page and here.

4. Transfer and forwarding of personal data

item may transfer your personal data to the following recipients:

other item companies or other third parties, e.g. sales partners or suppliers, if this is necessary in providing and operating the item range and services, or initiating, executing or processing a business relationship,
IT service providers who process data as part of providing their service (e.g. service providers for maintenance activities), and/or
third parties, if this is necessary in order to comply with applicable law or to assert, exercise or defend from legal actions (e.g. in connection with arbitration or judicial proceedings before regular courts, courts of arbitration, authorities or legal advisers).

The recipients may have their registered office in countries whose data protection laws do not provide a level of data protection consonant with the country where you are resident.

In such a case, item shall take measures to ensure suitable and appropriate guarantees to protect personal data in another way.

Personal data will only be transferred to item companies and external recipients in such countries if they (i) have agreed EU standard contractual clauses with item, or (ii) (for recipients with their registered office in the USA) are certified under the EU/US Privacy Shield.

5. How long your personal data is stored for

We store your personal data for as long as this is appropriate and necessary in order to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected (consent which you give us in this way shall remain valid even after our business relationship with you has ended), and in order to comply with applicable law.

Specific information in this Privacy Policy or statutory regulations on the retention and deletion of personal data, especially those which we must retain for tax reasons, shall remain unaffected.

6. Your rights (Article 15-18, 20-21 GDPR)

You can request at any time that we provide you with a copy of your personal data.

You are entitled to request a copy from us of the personal data transferred by you which we retain for the purpose of the contract concluded with us or based on your consent, in a structured, common and machine-readable format, such that you can reuse it or forward it to other organisations.

If you think that the personal data we are storing on you is incorrect or incomplete, you can request that we correct or complete it.

You may also have the right to object to the processing of your data, and you may request that we restrict our use of your data and erase it.

If we ask you for your consent to use your data for a particular purpose, you are always free to withdraw your consent. We will also tell you how to do this.

There are, however, several exceptions to these rights. For example, we cannot erase your data if we are legally obliged to store it, or if we retain it because we have concluded a contract with you. Information on and access to your data may also be refused if providing information would mean disclosing another person’s personal information, or if we are unable to disclose this information for legal reasons.

If you wish to exercise these rights, please contact us using the contact details provided in Clause 1.

Should you have concerns regarding our handling of your personal data, you also have the right to complain to the responsible data protection authority (the State Officer for Data Protection and Freedom of Information for North Rhine-Westphalia). You can find further details on this on their website at https://www.ldi.nrw.de/.

7. Data security

Our website is SSL-encrypted. item and its computer centre service providers implement all the legally required technical and organisational measures to protect your data according to the current general state of technology, and especially to protect it from loss, falsification or perusal by unauthorised parties.

In the event that you wish to contact us by e-mail, please note that the confidentiality of the information transferred cannot be guaranteed. As a basic principle, the content of e-mails may be subject to spying by unauthorized third parties in transit.

8. Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. If you follow a link to one of these websites, please bear in mind that we cannot take any responsibility or provide any guarantee for third-party content or data protection provisions, and do not have any influence on these. Please inform yourself of the applicable data protection provisions before transferring personal data to these websites.

9. Changes to the Privacy Policy

item reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time without notifying users (this may be necessary due to current developments, such as an amendment to data protection law or a possible revision of our website). item will update the date at the top of the first page accordingly. Please inform yourself of the Privacy Policy applicable at the time every time you use our website. In some cases, item may also inform you of particular data processing activities or important changes to this Privacy Policy, where this is prescribed by law.

Last updated: March 2020