Data Protection Declaration

Our data protection declaration is based on the terms used by the European legislator when the General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) was issued. Our data protection declaration should be easy to read and understand for the public and for our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to explain the terms used in advance.

We use the following terms in this data protection declaration:

a) Personal Data
Personal data is all information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as "data subject"). Identifiable is a natural person who can be identified directly or indirectly, in particular by assignment to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or one or more special characteristics that express the physical, physiological, genetic, psychological, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

b) Data Subject
The data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the person responsible

c) Processing
Processing means any process or series of processes carried out with or without the aid of automated procedures in relation to personal data, such as the collection, collection, organization, sorting, storage, adaptation or alteration, reading, retrieval, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or any other form of provision, comparison or linking, restriction, erasure or destruction.

d) Restrictions on Processing
Restrictions on processing refers to marking stored personal data with the objective of restricting future processing.

e) Pseudonymization
Pseudonymization is the processing of personal data in such a way that the personal data cannot be assigned to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that this additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organizational measures that ensure that the personal data is not assigned to an identified or identifiable natural person.

f) Entity or Person Responsible for Processing
The entity or person responsible for processing is the natural or legal person, public authority, institution or other body that, either alone or together with others, decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data. Where the purposes and means of such processing are laid down by Union law or by the law of the Member States, the person responsible or the specific criteria for his appointment may be laid down in accordance with Union law or the law of the Member States.

g) Processor
The processor is a natural or legal person, authority, institution or other body that processes personal data on behalf of the person responsible.

h) Recipient
The recipient is a natural or legal person, authority, institution or other body to which personal data is disclosed, irrespective of whether it is a third party or not. However, authorities which may receive personal data under Union law or the law of the Member States within the scope of a particular investigation mandate shall not be regarded as recipients.

i) Third Party
A third party is a natural or legal person, authority, institution or other body other than the data subject, the person responsible, the data processor and the persons authorized to process the personal data under the direct responsibility of the entity responsible or the data processor.

j) Consent
Consent shall mean any informed and unequivocal expression of will be given voluntarily by the data subject for the specific case in the form of a declaration or other clear affirmative act by which the data subject indicates his or her consent to the processing of personal data concerning him or her.

The entity responsible within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws in force in the Member States of the European Union and other provisions of a data protection nature is:

PI Benelux B.V.
Hertog Hendrikstraat 7a
5492 BA Sint-Oedenrode
Netherlands
Phone: +31 499-375375
Email: benelux@pi.ws
Web: www.physikinstrumente.nl

The data protection officer responsible for processing is:

Hans Joachim Dionisius
Privacy Policy
Staufenstrasse 5
73773 Aichwald
Germany
Phone: +49 711 364634
Mobile: +49 163 9781678
Email: hjdionisius@arcor.de

Any data subject can contact our data protection officer directly at any time with any questions or suggestions regarding data protection.

Our web pages use cookies. Cookies are text files which are stored on a computer system by an Internet browser.

Numerous websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier of the cookie. It consists of a string of characters that assign Internet pages and servers to the specific Internet browser where the cookie was stored. This allows the the Internet pages and servers to distinguish the individual browser of the data subject from other Internet browsers that contain other cookies. A specific Internet browser can be recognized and identified by its unique cookie ID.

The use of cookies allows us to provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without cookies.

Cookies help us to optimize the information and offers on our website for the user. As already mentioned, cookies allow us to recognize the users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, the user of a website that uses cookies does not have to re-enter his access data each time he visits the website because this is taken over by the website and the cookie stored on the user's computer system. Another example is the shopping basket cookie in the online shop. The online shop uses the cookie to remember the items that a customer has placed in the virtual shopping basket.

The data subject can prevent cookies being set by our website at any time by setting the Internet browser used and therefore permanently object to the setting of cookies. Furthermore, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs. This possible with all common Internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates setting of cookies in the Internet browser, not all functions on our Internet site may be used to the full.

Our website collects general data and information each time a person or an automated system visits our website. This general data and information is stored in so-called log files on the server. We may record the types and versions of browsers used, the operating system used by the accessing system, the website from that a system accesses our website (so-called referrer), the subwebsites that are accessed via an accessing system on our website, the date and time of access to the website, an Internet protocol address (IP address), the Internet service provider of the accessing system and other similar data and information that serve to avert danger in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

We do not draw any conclusions on the data subject when using this general data and information. Instead, this information is required to deliver the contents of our website correctly, to optimize the contents of our website as well as the advertising, to ensure the permanent functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website and to provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in the event of a cyber-attack. Therefore, this anonymously collected data and information is evaluated by us statistically and also with the objective of increasing data protection and data security in our company and ultimately to ensure an optimum level of protection for the personal data processed by us. The anonymous data in the server log files is stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.

Because of legal regulations, the website contains information that allows fast electronic contact with our company and direct communication with us, which also includes a general address for so-called electronic mail (email address). If a data subject contacts the person responsible via email or a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject will be stored automatically. Such personal data provided voluntarily by a data subject to the entity responsible for processing will be stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. This personal data is not passed on to third parties.

The entity responsible for processing shall process and store the personal data of the data subject only for the time necessary to achieve the data retention purpose or to the extent provided for by the European legislator or other legislator in laws or regulations that the entity is subject to.

If the reason for storage ceases to apply or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or any other applicable legislator expires, the personal data is routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the statutory provisions.

a) Right to Confirmation
Every data subject shall have the right as granted by the European legislator of directives and regulations to require the entity to confirm whether personal data concerning him/her is being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of confirmation, he or she may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the entity responsible for processing at any time.

b) Right of the Data Subject to Information
Any person affected by processing of personal data shall have the right as as granted by the European legislator of directives and regulations to obtain information on any personal data stored relating to him/her from the entity responsible for processing and demand a copy of that information. Furthermore, the European regulator requires that the data subject is entitled to the following information:

• reasons for processing
• the personal data categories that are processed
• the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or are still being disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organizations
• if possible, the duration planned for storing the personal data and if this is not possible, the criteria for determining that duration the right of rectification or deletion of personal data concerning him or restrict processing by the entity responsible for processing or the right to oppose such processing
• a right of appeal to a supervisory authority
• if the personal data is not collected from the data subject: All available information on the origin of the data
• the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling in accordance with Article 22 paragraphs 1 and 4 GDPR and, at least in these cases, meaningful information on the logic involved and the scope and intended effects of such processing for the data subject

Furthermore, the data subject has a right of access to information to determine whether personal data have been transferred to a third country or to an international organization. If this is the case, the data subject also has the right to obtain information on the appropriate guarantees in conjunction with the transfer.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to information, he or she may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the entity responsible for processing at any time.

c) Right to Correction
Any data subject to the processing of personal data shall have the right as granted by the European legislator of directives and regulations to request immediate correction of inaccurate personal data concerning him/her. Furthermore, with respect to the purpose of processing, the data subject has the right to request the completion of incomplete personal data, including a supplementary declaration. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to correction, he or she may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the entity responsible for processing at any time.

d) Right to Cancellation (Right to be Forgotten)
Any data subject affected by processing of personal data shall have the right as granted by the European legislator of directives and regulations to require the person responsible to request immediate deletion of his/her personal data, provided that one of the following reasons applies and insofar the processing is deemed not necessary:

• The personal data was collected or otherwise processed for purposes that are no longer necessary.
• The data subject withdraws his/her consent on the basis for processing, and where there is no other legal basis for the processing pursuant to Article 6 paragraph letter a GDPR or Article 9 paragraph 2 letter a GDPR.
• The data subject opposes processing under Article 21 paragraph 1 GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for processing or the data subject opposes processing under Article 21 paragraph 2 GDPR.
• The personal data was processed unlawfully.
• The deletion of personal data is necessary to fulfil a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States that the person responsible is subject to.
• The personal data was collected relating to information society services offered in accordance with Art. 8 para. 1 GDPR.

If one of the above-mentioned reasons applies and the data subject wishes to have personal data stored with us deleted, he or she may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the entity responsible for processing at any time. Our data protection officer will ensure that the request for deletion is complied with without delay.

e) Right to Restrict Processing
Any data subject affected by processing of personal data shall have the right as granted by the European legislator of directives and regulations to require the person responsible to restrict processing if one of the following conditions is met:

• The accuracy of the personal data is disputed by the data subject for a period that allows the person responsible to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
• Processing is unlawful, the data subject refuses to delete the personal data and instead, requests that the use of the personal data be restricted.
• The person responsible no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but the data subject needs them to assert, exercise or defend legal claims.
• The data subject objects to processing pursuant to Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR and it has not yet been determined whether the legitimate reasons of the data subject outweigh those of the person responsible.

If one of the above conditions is met and a person affected wishes to request restriction of personal data stored by our company, he or she can contact our data protection officer at any time. The data protection officer will arrange for processing to be restricted.

f) Right to Data Transferability
Any data subject affected by processing of personal data shall have the right as granted by the European legislator to receive personal data relating to him/her from a person responsible in a structured, current and machine-readable format. They shall also have the right to transmit such data to another person responsible without obstruction by the person responsible to whom the personal data was made available, provided that processing is based on the consent provided for in Article 6 paragraph 1 letter a GDPR or Article 9 paragraph 2 letter a GDPR or on a contract in accordance with Article 6 paragraph 1 letter b GDPR and that processing is carried out using automated procedures, unless processing is necessary for the performance of a task in the public interest or in the exercise of public authority conferred on the person responsible.
Furthermore, in exercising his right to data transferability pursuant to Article 20 paragraph 1 GDPR, the data subject has the right to demand that personal data be transferred directly by a person responsible to another person responsible, provided this is technically feasible and provided that the rights and freedoms of other persons are not affected.
The person affected may contact the data protection officer or another employee at any time to assert the right to data transferability.

g) Right of Objection
Any person affected by processing of personal data shall have the right as granted by the European legislator for reasons related to his/her particular situation to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning them under Article 6 paragraph 1 letter e or f GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.
We will not continue to process personal data in the event of an objection, unless we can prove compelling grounds for processing that outweigh the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject or the processing serves to assert, exercise or defend legal claims.
If we process personal data to carry out direct advertising, the data subject has the right to object to the processing of personal for the purpose of such advertising at any time. This also applies to profiling insofar as it is connected with such direct advertising. If the data subject objects to our company processing for direct marketing purposes, we will discontinue processing personal data for these purposes.
Furthermore, the data subject has the right to object to processing of his/her personal data for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89 paragraph 1 GDPR related to his/her particular situation, unless such processing is necessary for the performance of a task in the public interest.
The data subject may contact the data protection officer directly to exercise the right of objection. Notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, the data subject shall also be free to exercise his right of opposition with respect to the use of information society services by means of automated procedures that use technical specifications.

h) Automated Decisions in Individual Cases Including Profiling
Any person affected by processing of personal data shall have the right as granted by the European legislator not to be subject to a decision based exclusively on automated processing, including profiling, which has legal effect against him or significantly affects him in a similar way, provided that the decision is not necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the person responsible, or is admissible under Union or Member State law that the person responsible is subject to, and that such law contains appropriate measures to safeguard the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the data subject or is taken with the data subject's express consent.
Where a decision is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the data controller or is taken with the express consent of the data subject, we shall take appropriate measures to safeguard the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the data subject, including at least the right to demand intervention of a person by the person responsible, to state his own position and to challenge the decision.
If the person concerned wishes to assert rights with respect to automated decisions, he or she can contact our data protection officer at any time.

i) Right to Revoke Consent under Data Protection Law
Any person affected by processing of personal data has the right as granted by the European legislator to withdraw his or her consent to the processing of personal data at any time.
If the data subject wishes to exercise his/her right to withdraw his/her consent, he/she may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the entity responsible for processing at any time.

The entity responsible for processing collects and processes the personal data of applicants for the purpose of processing the application. Processing can also be done electronically. This is particularly the case if an applicant sends corresponding application documents to the entity responsible for processing electronically, for example, by email or via a form on the website. If the entity responsible for processing concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the data transmitted will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with the statutory provisions. If the entity responsible for processing does not conclude an employment contract with the applicant, the application documents shall be deleted automatically three months after notification of the decision of refusal, provided that no other legitimate interests of the entity responsible for processing contradict deletion. Other legitimate interest in this sense is, for example, a burden of proof in proceedings under the General Equal Opportunity Act (German Allgemeinen Gleichbehandlungsgesetz - AGG).

The entity responsible for processing has integrated components of YouTube into this website. YouTube is an Internet video portal that allows video publishers to post video clips and other users to view, rate and comment on them free of charge. YouTube allows the publication of all types of videos, which is the reason why film and television programs, music videos, trailers or videos produced by users themselves can be called up via the Internet portal.

YouTube is operated by YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA. YouTube, LLC is a subsidiary of Google Inc, 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

Each time and page of this website is accessed that is operated by the entity responsible for processing and where YouTube component (YouTube video) has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the person affected is automatically prompted by the respective YouTube component to download a representation of the corresponding YouTube component. More information on YouTube can be found at https://www.youtube.com/yt/about/. In the course of this technical procedure, YouTube and Google are informed which specific subpage of our website is visited by the person concerned. If the person affected is logged on to YouTube at the same time, YouTube recognizes which specific subpage of our website the person concerned visits by calling up a subpage that contains a YouTube video. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and assigned to the respective YouTube account of the person affected.

YouTube and Google receive information via the YouTube component that the person affected has visited our website whenever the person affected is logged on to YouTube at the same time as accessing our website; this happens irrespective of whether the person affected clicks on a YouTube video or not. If transmission of this information to YouTube and Google is not desired by the person affected, they can prevent transmission by logging out of their YouTube account before calling up our website.

The data protection regulations published by YouTube, which can be accessed at https://www.google.de/intl/en/policies/privacy/, provide information about the collection, processing, and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

Art. 6 I letter a GDPR serves as a legal basis for processing where we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If processing of personal data is necessary for fulfilling a contract where the the data subject is a contracting party, as is the case for example, when processing is necessary for the delivery of goods or the provision of other services or return services, processing is based on Art. 6 I letter b GDPR. The same applies to necessary for precontractual purposes, for example, for enquiries on our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation that requires processing of personal data, for example to fulfil tax obligations, the processing is based on Art. 6 I letter c GDPR. In rare cases, it may be necessary to process personal data in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or any other natural person. This would be the case for example, when a visitor were injured on our company premises and his name, age, health insurance data or other vital information had to be passed on to a doctor, a hospital or other third parties. Processing would then be based on Art. 6 I letter d GDPR. Ultimately, processing could be based on Art. 6 I letter f GDPR. Processing not covered by any of the aforementioned legal provisions are based on this legal framework if processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party, provided the interests, fundamental rights and freedom of the data subject do not prevail. Such processing is permitted in particular when it has been mentioned specifically by the European legislator. In this respect, the European legislator took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the person affected is a customer of the person responsible (recital 47, second sentence, GDPR).

If processing of personal data is based on Article 6 I letter f GDPR, it is in our legitimate interest to conduct our business for the well-being of all our employees and our shareholders.

The criterion for the duration of storing personal data is the respective legal retention period. After the expiry of this period, the corresponding data will be deleted routinely, provided that it is no longer necessary for the fulfilment or initiation of the contract.

We inform you that provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g., tax regulations) or may also result from contractual regulations (e.g., information on the contractual partner). In some cases, it may be necessary for a contract to be concluded if a data subject provides us with personal data that we must subsequently process. For example, the person affected is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company enters into a contract with him/her. Failure to provide personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded. Before personal data is provided by the data subject, the data subject must contact our data protection officer. Our data protection officer will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether provision of personal data is required by law or contract or required for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data and what consequences failure to provide the personal data would have.

It may be possible that social plug-ins ("plug-ins") of the social network facebook.com operated by Facebook Inc., 1601 S. California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA ("Facebook") are used on the PI Internet pages. This relates in particular to the "Like" button of Facebook.

When you visit one of our Internet pages that includes such a plug-in, your browser will establish a direct connection to the Facebook servers. Facebook will transmit the content of the plug-in directly to your browser, which will include it into the Internet page. By the integration of the plug-ins, Facebook will receive the information that you have accessed the Internet page concerned. If you are logged in into your Facebook account while visiting the website, Facebook can assign the visit to your Facebook account. When you interact with the plug-ins, e.g. by pressing the "Like" button" or writing a comment, the corresponding information will be transmitted directly to Facebook by your browser and stored there.

For the purpose and the scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by Facebook as well as your rights and the setting options for protecting your privacy, please refer to the data protection information of Facebook.

If you do not want that Facebook assigns the visit on our website to your Facebook account, you have to log out of Facebook before visiting our website.