Cookie policy

Data protection instructions for the use of cookies

Cookies are not necessarily harmful but enable user interactions and other useful things while using websites. Cookies do not cause any damage to your computer and do not contain any viruses.

In order to make visiting our website attractive and to enable the use of certain functions, we use cookies on various pages. Cookies are small text files that your browser saves to your device at the direction of our website. If a user visits a website, a cookie can be stored on the user’s device. The cookie contains a characteristic sequence of characters which enables the clear identification of the browser, for example, when the website is revisited.

Description and scope of data protection

On the one hand, we use temporary cookies, which are automatically deleted when your browser is closed, and on the other hand, so-called “persistent” (permanent) cookies, the expiry period of which has been set for convenient use on a date in the future. Cookies can be made available by us or by third-party providers.

The data of users registered in this way has been made pseudonymous. Direct assignment of the data to the visiting user is therefore not possible. The data is not stored together with other personal data of the users.

When you visit our pages, you will receive complete information about the cookies used via an integrated application, as well as the option to prevent the use of cookies via Opt-Out and/or to consent to their use via Opt-In. The functions of our website may then no longer be available to the full extent.

In this context, reference is also made to this data protection declaration and how the storage of cookies in the settings can be prevented and consent to this can be revoked.

The difference between essential cookies and functional, analytics and marketing cookies is important.

Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the processing of personal data with the aid of essential preference, functional, analytical and marketing cookies is Art. 6(1)(f) (legitimate interest) or, if the user has given their consent, Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent).

Purpose of data processing

The purpose of the use of essential cookies is helping a website to function, by enabling basic functions such as page navigation and access to secure areas of the website, or, for example, to collect and make available items in a shopping basket. No visitor's permission is required here. The website cannot function properly without these cookies .

The user data registered by essential cookies is not used to create user profiles.

Functional, analytics and marketing cookies are used to improve the quality and content of our website and to provide you with personalised content and offers. Through the cookies, we learn how the website is used and this enables us to constantly optimise our offer.

These objectives also constitute our legitimate interest in the processing of personal data pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR for the use of cookies for which no consent is required.

Storage period

Cookies are stored on the user’s computer and sent to our page by the user. “Session cookies” are automatically deleted after your visit. Other cookies remain stored on your device until a storage period, which may vary, has elapsed or you delete them.

Storage periods for cookies can be found in the detailed data of the integrated application.

Opt-out and deletion option

As a user, you have full control over the use of cookies. By changing the settings in integrated use (Usercentrics), which is activated when you visit our pages, you can deactivate or restrict the transfer of cookies. So you have the option to determine which cookies may be used and you can withdraw or change your consent at any time in the cookie settings of our cookie consent platform Usercentrics on our website.

Furthermore, you can deactivate or restrict the transfer of cookies in your Internet browser. Cookies already stored can therefore be deleted at any time.

Many third-party applications that use cookies offer deactivation functions in which deactivation cookies are set. These opt-out cookies may not be deleted so that the deactivation remains active. If you have deleted all your cookies in your browser, you must reset the relevant deactivation cookie on your next visit to our site.

If cookies are deactivated on our website, it may not be possible to use all the functions of the website to their full extent any longer.

The following links allow you to check cookie settings in the browsers and adjust them according to your preferences:

• Firefox
• Internet Explorer
• Safari (Apple)
• Google Chrome
• Opera

Change preferences

You can change the cookie preferences by clicking on the following link: