Cookie Policy

1. Understanding Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you access a website. They serve various functions including maintaining session information, remembering user preferences, and enabling certain website features. This Cookie Policy explains how this website uses cookies in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), and the Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG).

This policy is designed to provide transparency about our cookie practices and your options for managing cookie settings. We are committed to respecting your privacy choices regarding the use of cookies on this website.

2. Cookie Categories Used

This website employs a limited range of cookies organized into the following categories:

2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the basic functionality of the website and cannot be disabled. They enable core features such as page navigation, access to secure areas, and session management. Without these cookies, the website cannot function properly. These cookies do not collect information about you for marketing purposes or remember where you have been on the internet.

• Session identification cookies
• Load balancing cookies
• Cookie consent status cookies

2.2 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization based on your interactions. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have integrated. If you disable these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

• Language preference cookies
• Display preference cookies
• Accessibility setting cookies

2.3 Limited Analytics Cookies

Where implemented, analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the website by collecting and reporting information. This data is aggregated and anonymized, meaning it cannot identify individual users. Analytics are used solely to understand general usage patterns and do not involve cross-site tracking or user profiling.

3. Cookies We Do Not Use

This website does not employ the following types of cookies or tracking technologies:

• Advertising Cookies: We do not use cookies that track your browsing habits to deliver targeted advertisements.
• Behavioral Tracking: We do not engage in cross-site tracking or create user profiles based on browsing behavior.
• Third-Party Marketing Cookies: We do not allow third parties to place cookies for marketing or advertising purposes.
• Social Media Tracking Cookies: We do not embed social media plugins that track your activity across websites.

Our commitment to not using advertising or behavioral tracking cookies means your browsing activity on this website is not used for targeted advertising purposes.

4. Cookie Consent Mechanism

In accordance with GDPR and TDDDG requirements, we obtain your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device. Our cookie consent mechanism operates as follows:

4.1 Cookie Banner

Upon your first visit to this website, a cookie banner is displayed presenting you with clear options to accept or decline non-essential cookies. The banner provides:

• An "Accept" option to consent to all cookie categories
• A "Decline" option to reject non-essential cookies
• Access to detailed cookie information and settings

4.2 Granular Consent Options

You may access detailed cookie settings to provide granular consent for specific cookie categories. Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled as they are essential for website operation.

4.3 Consent Withdrawal

You may withdraw or modify your cookie consent at any time by accessing the cookie settings through the link in the website footer or by adjusting your browser settings. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

5. Managing Cookies Through Browser Settings

In addition to our cookie consent mechanism, you can manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View existing cookies and delete them individually or collectively
• Block all cookies or only third-party cookies
• Configure browser settings to notify you when cookies are being set
• Set browser preferences to automatically clear cookies when you close the browser

Where technically feasible, this website respects browser-level cookie preferences such as Do Not Track signals. However, as there is no uniform standard for how websites should respond to such signals, we recommend using our consent mechanism for explicit cookie management.

Please note that blocking all cookies may impact website functionality. Strictly necessary cookies are required for basic website operation.

6. Cookie Duration

Cookies used on this website have varying durations:

• Session Cookies: These temporary cookies are deleted when you close your browser. They are used for essential functions during your browsing session.
• Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a specified period or until manually deleted. Cookie consent preferences are stored as persistent cookies with a validity period of 12 months.

Specific cookie durations are detailed in our cookie declaration, accessible through the cookie settings interface.

7. Data Processing Through Cookies

Information collected through cookies is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Cookie data is used for the specific purposes outlined in this policy and is not combined with other personal data unless you have provided explicit consent.

Technical cookie data is processed on the legal basis of legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) for website operation and security. Non-essential cookies are processed based on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR).

8. Third-Party Cookies

This website minimizes the use of third-party services that set cookies. Where third-party cookies are used for functional purposes, these are subject to the respective third party's privacy and cookie policies. We do not allow third parties to place cookies for advertising or tracking purposes.

Any third-party service integration is evaluated for data protection compliance before implementation. Details of specific third-party cookies, where applicable, are provided in our cookie declaration.

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy may be updated to reflect changes in our cookie practices, technological developments, or legal requirements. Updates are indicated by revising the "Last updated" date. Material changes affecting your cookie choices will be communicated through the website.

We recommend reviewing this policy periodically to stay informed about our cookie practices.

10. Contact for Cookie Inquiries

If you have questions about our cookie practices or wish to exercise your rights regarding cookie-related data processing, please contact us using the details provided at the beginning of this policy.