Privacy Policy

1) Introduction and contact details of the person responsible

1.1 We are pleased that you are visiting our website and thank you for your interest. In the following we inform you about the handling of your personal data when using our website. Personal data is all data with which you can be personally identified.

1.2 Responsible for data processing on this website within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is PURIDAL SLU, Av. De la Font de Canyar 007 2 1 - Ed. els Esquiadors, Bloc D, 2o 1a, AD300 Ordino - El Serrat, Andorra Tel: +49 3221 322 210 0 Email: info@puridal.com. The person responsible for the processing of personal data is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, decides on the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.

2) Data collection when visiting our website

2.1 When merelyß informational use of our website, i.e. if you do not register or otherwise provide us with information, we only collect data that your browser transmits to the site server (so-called „server log files“). When you visit our website, we collect the following data that is technically necessary for us to display the website to you:

Our visited website
Date and time at the time of access
Amount of data sent in bytes
Source/reference from which you came to the page
Used browser
Operating system used
IP address used (if necessary: in anonymous form)

The processing takes place in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website. The data will not be passed on or used in any other way. However, we reserve the right to subsequently check the server log files if there are concrete indications of illegal use.

2.2 This website uses an SSL or. TLS encryption. You can use the string “https://“ and the lock symbol in your browser line.

3) Cookies

This cookie policy was created and updated by CookieFirst.com.

This cookie table was created and updated by the CookieFirst consent management platform.

Please note that if you do not accept cookies, the functionality of our website may be restricted.

4) Contact

4.1 Userlike

This website uses a live chat system from the following provider: Userlike UG (limited liability), Deisterweg 7, 51109 Cologne, Germany

The processing of personal data transmitted via the chat takes place either in accordance with; Art. 6 para. 1 lit b GDPR because it is necessary for the initiation or execution of the contract, or in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR due to our legitimate interest in the effective support of our site visitors.
Your data transmitted in this way will be deleted, subject to conflicting statutory retention periods, once the facts in question have been finally clarified.

Additionally, for the purpose of creating pseudonymised usage profiles, further information can be collected and evaluated with the help of cookies, which, however, does not serve to identify you personally and is not combined with other data sets. If this information is personally identifiable, it will be processed in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR based on our legitimate interest in the statistical analysis of user behavior for optimization purposes.

The setting of cookies can be prevented by appropriate browser settings. However, the functionality of our website may be restricted in this case. You can object to the collection and storage of data for the purpose of creating a pseudonymised user profile at any time with effect for the future.

We have withconcluded an order processing contract with the provider, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

4.2 WhatsApp Business

We offer visitors to our website the opportunity to contact us via the WhatsApp messaging service of WhatsApp Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland. For this we use the so-called “business version“ from WhatsApp.

If you contact us via WhatsApp on the occasion of a specific transaction (e.g. an order that has been placed), we will save and use the mobile phone number you used on WhatsApp as well as – if provided -; Your first and last name according to Article 6 paragraph 1 letter b. DSGVO for processing and answering your request. Based on the same legal basis, we may ask you via WhatsApp to provide additional data (order number, customer number, address or e-mail address) in order to be able to assign your request to a specific transaction.

Use our WhatsApp contact for general inquiries (e.g. about the range of services, availability or our website) and we will save and use the cell phone number you use on WhatsApp and – if provided -; Your first and last name according to Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in the efficient and timely provision of the desired information.

Your data will always only be used to answer your request via WhatsApp. It will not be passed on to third parties.

Please note that WhatsApp Business receives access to the address book of the mobile device we use for this purpose and automatically transfers telephone numbers stored in the address book to a server of the parent company Meta Platforms Inc. in the USA. > To operate our WhatsApp business account, we use a mobile device whose address book only stores the WhatsApp contact data of users who have also contacted us via WhatsApp.

This ensures that every person whose WhatsApp contact details are stored in our address book, the first time they use the app on their device, by accepting the WhatsApp terms of use, allows their WhatsApp telephone number to be transmitted from the address book ;cheating his chat contacts&rszlig; Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a GDPR has consented. A transmission of data from users who do not use WhatsApp and/or have not contacted us via WhatsApp is therefore excluded.

The purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by WhatsApp as well as your rights in this regard and setting options to protect your privacy can be found in WhatsApp's data protection information: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/?eea=1#privacy-policy

As part of the processing mentioned above, data may be transferred to servers of Meta Platforms Inc. in the USA.

For data transfers to the USA, the provider has joined the EU-US data protection framework (EU-US Data Privacy Framework), which, on the basis of an adequacy decision by the European Commission, ensures compliance with the European data protection level ensures.

4.3 When contacting us (e.g. via contact form or e-mail), – exclusively for the purpose of processing and answering your request and only to the extent required for this – personal data processed.

The legal basis for the processing of this data is our legitimate interest in answering your request in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR. If your contact is aimed at a contract, the additional legal basis for processing is Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR. Your data will be deleted if it can be inferred from the circumstances that the facts in question have been finally clarified and provided that there are no legal storage obligations to the contrary.

5) Comment function

As part of the comment function on this website, information about the time the comment was created and the name of the commentator you have chosen will be saved in addition to your comment and published on this website. Furthermore, your IP address will be saved for security reasons in order to be able to identify you in the event of illegal comments to author to allow. Your e-mail address will be saved so that we can contact you if a third party should object to your published content as being unlawful.

The legal basis for the storage of your data is Article 6 Paragraph 1 lit. b and f GDPR. We reserve the right to delete comments if they are objected to as illegal by third parties.

6) Data processing when opening a customer account

According to&rszlig; Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR, personal data will continue to be collected and processed to the extent required in each case if you provide it to us when opening a customer account. The data required for opening an account can be found in the input mask of the corresponding form on our website.

Your customer account can be deleted at any time and can be done by sending a message to the above address of the person responsible. After your customer account has been deleted, your data will be deleted provided that all contracts concluded have been completed in full, there are no legal retention periods to the contrary and we have no legitimate interest in further storage.

7) Use of customer data for direct advertising

7.1 Subscription to our email newsletter

If you register for our e-mail newsletter, we will regularly send you information about our offers. The only mandatory information for sending the newsletter is your e-mail address. Providing further data is voluntary and is used to be able to address you personally. We use the so-called double opt-in procedure to send the newsletter, which ensures that you only receive the newsletter if you have expressly given us your consent to the newsletter by clicking on a verification link sent to the email address provided have confirmed receipt of the newsletter

By activating the confirmation link, you give us your consent to the use of your personal data in accordance with Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. a GDPR. We store your IP address entered by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) as well as the date and time of registration in order to be able to trace possible misuse of your e-mail address at a later point in time. The data we collect when registering for the newsletter is used strictly for the intended purpose.

You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time via the link provided for this purpose in the newsletter or by sending a message to the person responsible mentioned above. After you have unsubscribed, your e-mail address will be deleted immediately from our newsletter distribution list, unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data or we reserve the right to use data beyond this, which is permitted by law and About which we inform you in this statement.

7.2 Sending of the e-mail newsletter to existing customers

If you have provided us with your e-mail address when purchasing goods or services, we reserve the right to regularly send you offers for similar goods or services to those already purchased. from our range by e-mail. For this we have to § 7 Para. 3 UWG do not obtain separate consent from you. In this respect, the data is processed solely on the basis of our legitimate interest in personalized direct advertising in accordance with Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR. If you initially objected to the use of your e-mail address for this purpose, we will not send you an e-mail.

You are entitled to object to the use of your e-mail address for the aforementioned advertising purpose at any time with effect for the future by notifying the person responsible named at the beginning. For this you only have to pay transmission costs according to the basic tariffs. After receipt of your objection, the use of your e-mail address for advertising purposes will be stopped immediately.

7.3 Our e-mail newsletter is sent via this provider: Mailingwork GmbH, Birkenweg 7, 09569 Oederan

On the basis of our legitimate interest in effective and user-friendly newsletter marketing, we pass on the data you provided when registering for the newsletter to this provider in accordance with Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR so that they can send the newsletter on our behalf takes over.

Subject to your express consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR, the provider also carries out a statistical evaluation of the success of newsletter campaigns using web beacons or tracking pixels in the emails sent. e-mails that can measure open rates and specific interactions with the content of the newsletter. End device information (e.g. time of access, IP address, browser type and operating system) is also collected and evaluated, but not merged with other databases.

You can revoke your consent to newsletter tracking at any time with effect for the future.

We have concluded an order processing contract with the provider that protects the data of our site visitors and prohibits disclosure to third parties.

7.4 Advertising by post
On the basis of our legitimate interest in personalized direct advertising, we reserve the right to store your first and last name, your postal address and - insofar as we have received this additional information from you as part of the contractual relationship - your title, academic degree, year of birth and your profession -, industry or business designation according to; Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f GDPR to save and to use it to send interesting offers and information about our products by post.
You can object to the storage and use of your data for this purpose at any time.

8) Data processing for order processing

8.1 Insofar as it is necessary for the execution of the contract for delivery and payment purposes, the personal data collected by us will be processed in accordance with Article 6 paragraph 1 letter b GDPR passed on to the commissioned transport company and the commissioned credit institution.

If we owe you updates for goods with digital elements or for digital products on the basis of a corresponding contract, we process the contact data you provide when ordering (name, address, e-mail address) in order to be able to contact you in the As part of our statutory information obligations in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR to be personally informed via a suitable communication channel (e.g. by post or email) about upcoming updates within the legally stipulated period. Your contact details will be used strictly earmarked for notifications about updates owed by us and will only be processed by us for this purpose to the extent that this is necessary for the information in question.

To process your order, we also work together with the following service provider(s), who support us in whole or in part in the execution of concluded contracts. Certain personal data is transmitted to these service providers in accordance with the following information.

8.2 Afterbuy

We use the following provider for order processing: VIA Online GmbH, Kimplerstrasse 296, 47807 Krefeld, Germany

Name, address and any other personal data will be processed in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. b GDPR passed on to the provider exclusively for the purpose of processing the online order. Your data will only be passed on if this is actually necessary for processing the order.

8.3 Passing on of personal data to shipping service providers

- Deutsche Post

As a transport service provider, we use the following provider: Deutsche Post AG, Charles-de-Gaulle-Strasse 20, 53113 Bonn, Germany

We share your email address and/or phone number in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. Otherwise, for the purpose of delivery, we shall give Article 6 paragraph 1 letter b GDPR only forwards the name of the recipient and the delivery address to the provider. The data will only be passed on if this is necessary for the delivery of the goods. In this case, it is not possible to coordinate the delivery date with the provider or the delivery notification in advance.

Your consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future from the above-mentioned person responsible or from the provider.

-DHL

As a transport service provider, we use the following provider: DHL Paket GmbH, Str&rszlig;chensweg 10, 53113 Bonn, Germany

The consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future from the above-mentioned person responsible or from the provider.

8.4 Use of payment service providers (payment services)

- Apple Pay

If you choose “Apple Pay“ of Apple Distribution International (Apple), Hollyhill Industrial Estate, Hollyhill, Cork, Ireland, the payment is processed via the “Apple Pay“ one at “Apple Pay“ stored payment card. apple Pay uses security features built into your device's hardware and software to protect your transactions. In order to release a payment, it is therefore necessary to enter a code previously defined by you and to verify it using the “Face ID“ or “Touch ID“ - function of your end device is required.

For the purpose of payment processing, the information you provide during the ordering process along with the information about your order will be passed on to Apple in encrypted form. Apple then encrypts this data again with a developer-specific key before the data is transmitted to the payment service provider of the payment card stored in Apple Pay to carry out the payment. The encryption ensures that only the website through which the purchase was made can access the payment details. After the payment has been made, Apple will send your device account number and a transaction-specific dynamic security code to the originating website to confirm payment success.

If personal data is processed in the transmissions described, the processing is carried out exclusively for the purpose of payment processing in accordance with Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. b GDPR.

Apple retains anonymized transaction information, including the approximate purchase amount, date and time, and whether the transaction was successfully completed. Due to the anonymization, a personal reference is completely excluded. Apple uses the anonymized data to improve “Apple Pay“ and other Apple products and services.

When you use Apple Pay on iPhone or Apple Watch to complete a purchase made through Safari on Mac, the Mac and the authorization device communicate over an encrypted channel on the Apple servers. Apple does not process or store any of this information in a format that personally identifies you. You can disable the ability to use Apple Pay on your Mac in your iPhone's settings. Go to "Wallet & Apple Pay" and turn off "Allow payments on Mac".

You can find further information on data protection with Apple Pay at the following Internet address: https://support. apple.com/en-de/HT203027

- EPS transfer

One or more online payment methods from the following provider are available on this website: PSA Payment Services Austria GmbH, Handelskai 92, Gate 2,1200 Vienna, Austria

If you select a payment method from the provider for which you make an advance payment (e.g. credit card payment), your payment data (including name, address, bank and payment card information, currency and transaction number) and information provided during the ordering process will be sent to them About the content of your order in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 letter b GDPR passed on. In this case, your data will only be passed on for the purpose of processing the payment with the provider and only to the extent that it is necessary for this.

- giropay

One or more online payment methods from the following provider are available on this website: paydirekt GmbH, Stephanstr. 14-16, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

- Klarna

One or more online payment methods from the following provider are available on this website: Klarna Bank AB, Sveav&uaml;gen 46, 111 34 Stockholm, Sweden

If you select a payment method from the provider for which you make an advance payment (e.g. credit card payment), your payment data (including name, address, bank and payment card information, currency and transaction number) and information provided during the ordering process will be sent to them About the content of your order in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 letter b GDPR passed on. Your data will be passed on in din this case exclusively for the purpose of payment processing with the provider and only to the extent that it is necessary for this.

If you select a payment method in which the provider makes an advance payment (e.g. invoice or installment purchase or direct debit), you will also be asked to enter certain personal data (first and last name, street, house number, postal code, city, date of birth, e-mail address, telephone number, if necessary data on an alternative means of payment).

In order to safeguard our legitimate interest in determining the solvency of our customers, this data is processed by us in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR forwarded to the provider for the purpose of a credit check. On the basis of the personal data you provide and other data (such as shopping cart, invoice amount, order history, payment history), the provider checks whether the payment option you have selected is appropriate with regard to payment and/or bad debt risks ;hr.

To make a decision in the context of the application review, in addition to provider-internal criteria according to&rszlig; Art. 6 Paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR also identity and creditworthiness information from the following credit agencies are included:

https://cdn.klarna.com/1.0/shared/content/legal/terms/0/de_de/credit_rating_agencies

The credit report can contain probability values (so-called score values). As far as score values are included in the result of the credit report, they are based on a scientifically recognized mathematical-statistical process. The calculation of the score values includes, but is not limited to, address data.

You can object to this processing of your data at any time by sending a message to us or to the provider. However, the provider may still be entitled to process your personal data if this is necessary for contractual payment processing.

- Mollie

One or more online payment methods from the following provider are available on this website: Mollie B.V., Keizersgracht 313, 1016 EE Amsterdam, The Netherlands

- Paypal

One or more online payment methods from the following provider are available on this website: PayPal (Europe) S.a.r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg

If you select a payment method from the provider where you pay in advance, the payment details you provided during the ordering process (including name, address, bank and payment card information, currency and transaction number) and information about the Content of your order according to Article 6 paragraph 1 letter b GDPR passed on. In this case, your data will only be passed on for the purpose of payment processing with the provider and only to the extent that it is necessary for this.

If you select a payment method for which we pay in advance, you will also be asked to enter certain personal data (first and last name, street, house number, postal code, city, date of birth, e-mail address , telephone number, if necessary data on an alternative means of payment).

In order to safeguard our legitimate interest in determining your solvency in such cases, we will process this data in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR forwarded to the provider for the purpose of a credit check. On the basis of the personal data you provide and other data (such as shopping cart, invoice amount, order history, payment history), the provider checks whether the payment option you have selected is appropriate with regard to payment and/or bad debt risks ;hr.

The credit report can contain probability values (so-called score values). As far as score values are included in the result of the credit report, they have their basis in a wisscientifically recognized mathematical-statistical methods. The calculation of the score values includes, but is not limited to, address data.

- Paypal checkout

This website uses PayPal Checkout, an online payment system from PayPal, which consists of PayPal's own payment methods and local third-party payment methods.

When paying via PayPal, credit card via PayPal, direct debit via PayPal or – if offered - “Pay Later“ via PayPal we pass on your payment data to PayPal (Europe) S.a.r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg (hereinafter "PayPal"), further. The transfer takes place according to; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. b GDPR and only to the extent that this is necessary for payment processing.

PayPal reserves the right for the payment methods credit card via PayPal, direct debit via PayPal or – if offered - “Pay later“ via PayPal - the implementation of a credit check. For this purpose, your payment data may be processed in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR on the basis of PayPal's legitimate interest in determining your solvency to credit agencies. PayPal uses the result of the credit check in relation to the statistical probability of non-payment for the purpose of deciding whether to provide the respective payment method. The credit report can contain probability values (so-called score values). As far as score values are included in the result of the credit report, they are based on a scientifically recognized mathematical-statistical process. Among other things, but not exclusively, address data are included in the calculation of the score values. You can object to this processing of your data at any time by sending a message to PayPal. However, PayPal may still be entitled to process your personal data if this is necessary for contractual payment processing.

If you select the PayPal payment method „Purchase on account“ your payment data will first be sent to PayPal to prepare the payment, whereupon PayPal will forward it to Ratepay GmbH, Franklinstraße 28-29, 10587 Berlin ("Ratepay") to carry out the payment. The legal basis is Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR. In this case, RatePay carries out an identity and credit check on its own behalf to determine solvency in accordance with the principle already mentioned and gives your payment data due to the legitimate interest in determining solvency in accordance with ;ß Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f GDPR to credit agencies. A list of the credit agencies that Ratepay can use can be found here: https://www .ratepay.com/legal-payment-creditagencies/

If you use a local third-party payment method, your payment details will first be processed in accordance with&rszlig; Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. b GDPR passed on to PayPal. Depending on your selection of an available local payment method, PayPal then transmits your payment data to carry out the payment in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. b GDPR to the relevant provider:
- Immediately (SOFORT GmbH, Theresienhöhe 12, 80339 Munich, Germany)
- iDeal (Currence Holding BV, Beethovenstraat 300 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
- giropay (Paydirekt GmbH, Stephanstr. 14-16, 60313 Frankfurt am Main
- bancontact (Bancontact Payconiq Company, Rue d'Arlon 82, 1040 Brussels, Belgium)
- blik (Polski Standard Płatności sp. z o.o., ul. Czerniakowska 87A, 00-718 Warsaw, Poland)
- eps (PSA Payment Services Austria GmbH, Handelskai 92, Gate 2
1200 Vienna, Austria)
- MyBank (PRETA S.A.S, 40 Rue de Courcelles, F-75008 Paris, France)
- Przelewy24 (PayPro SA, Kanclerska 15A, 60-326 Poznań, Poland)
For more information on data protection law, please refer to PayPal's data protection declaration: https:// www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full

- SOFORT

One or more online payment methods from the following provider are available on this website: SOFORT GmbH, Theresienhöhe 12, 80339 Munich, Germany

If you select a payment method from the provider for which you make an advance payment (e.g. credit card payment), your payment data (including name, address, bank and payment card information, currency and transaction number) and information provided during the ordering process will be sent to them About the content of your order in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 letter b GDPR passed on. In this case, your data will only be passed on for the purpose of payment processing with the provider and only to the extent that it is necessary for this.

8.5 We reserve the right to pass on your data to the debt collection service provider mediaFinanz GmbH, Weisse Breite 5, 49084 Osnabrück, insofar as our payment claim has not been settled despite a previous reminder. In this case, the claim will be collected directly by the collection service provider.

The purpose of passing on your data is to fulfill the contract in accordance with&rszlig; Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR and the protection of our overriding legitimate interests in an effective assertion or enforcement of our payment claim in accordance with Art. Article 6 paragraph 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR.

9) Online Marketing

9.1 ADCELL Affiliate Program

We participate in the affiliate program of the following provider: Firstlead GmbH, Rosenfelder St. 15-16, 10315 Berlin, Germany

In this context, we have placed links on our website that lead to offers on websites of the provider or third parties („partner sites“).

To measure the success of an affiliate link, to evaluate orders generated via such a link and to calculate commission payments accordingly, the provider uses cookies and/or comparable technologies that are generally set on the partner sites and for ; for which we are not responsible under data protection law. The provider also regularly processes the IP address and, if necessary, other device information.

All of the processing described above, in particular the reading out or saving of information on the end device you are using, will only take place if you have consented to this in accordance with; Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a DSGVO have given your express consent. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future by using the cookie consent management options on the partner sites.

9.2 loopingo

We use the services of the following provider for our voucher offers: loopingo GmbH, Nymphenburgerstr. 12, 80335 Munich, Germany

The provider operates a voucher network through which participating partner shops can post vouchers and distribute them to their customers. For this purpose, your data, which is necessary for issuing your voucher, will be forwarded by us to the provider in encrypted form. The data will only be forwarded to the provider if you have completed your purchase and clicked on the voucher banner. This data is only passed on to preassign the fields for issuing the voucher.

The processing of data described is carried out in accordance with; Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in advertising to you by third parties, from whose discounts you can benefit by using the vouchers.

10) Web Analytics Services

10.1 Google (Universal) Analytics

This website uses Google (Universal) Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"), which enables an analysis of your use of our website.

By default, when you visit the website, Google (Universal) Analytics sets cookies, which are stored as small text modules on your end device and collect certain information. The scope of this information also includes your IP address, which is shortened by Google by the last digits in order to exclude direct personal reference.

The information is transmitted to the Google server and processed there. Transmissions to Google LLC based in the USA are also possible.

Google uses the information collected on our behalf to evaluate your use of the website, reports on the webto compile website activities for us and to provide other services related to website and internet use. The shortened IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other Google data. The data collected as part of the use of Google (Universal) Analytics is stored for a period of two months and then deleted.

All of the processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies on the end device used, will only take place if you have given us your express consent in accordance with Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR. Without your consent, Google (Universal) Analytics will not be used during your visit to the site. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. In order to exercise your right of withdrawal, please deactivate this service via the “Cookie-Consent-Tool“ provided on the website.

We have concluded an order processing contract with Google, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

More legal information about Google (Universal) Analytics can be found at https:// policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=de and under https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

Demographics
Google (Universal) Analytics uses the special function „demographic characteristics“ and can create statistics about the age, gender and interests of site visitors. This is done by analyzing advertising and information from third parties. This allows target groups for marketing activities to be identified. However, the collected data cannot be assigned to a specific person and will be deleted after being stored for a period of two months.

Google Signals
As an extension to Google (Universal) Analytics, Google Signals can be used on this website to create cross-device reports. If you have activated personalized ads and linked your devices to your Google account, Google can track your usage behavior across devices, subject to your consent to the use of Google Analytics in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR Analyze and create database models, including cross-device conversions. We do not receive any personal data from Google, only statistics. If you want to stop the cross-device analysis, you can use the "Personalized advertising" feature. deactivate in the settings of your Google account. To do this, follow the instructions on this page: https://support.google.com/ads/answer/2662922?hl=de You can find more information about Google Signals under the following link: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7532985?hl=de

User IDs
As an extension to Google (Universal) Analytics, the "UserIDs" function can be used on this website. be used. If you have consented to the use of Google (Universal) Analytics in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR, have set up an account on this website and log in to this account on various devices, your activities , including conversions, are analyzed across devices.

10.2 Google Analytics 4

This website uses Google Analytics 4, a web analysis service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"), which enables an analysis of your use of our website.

By default, when you visit the website, Google Analytics sets 4 cookies, which are stored as small text modules on your end device and collect certain information. This information also includes your IP address, although Google shortens it by the last digitst in order to exclude a direct personal reference.

The information is transmitted to the Google server and processed there. Transmissions to Google LLC based in the USA are also possible.

Google uses the information collected on our behalf to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity for us and to provide other services related to website activity and internet usage. The shortened IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other Google data. The data collected as part of the use of Google Analytics 4 is stored for a period of two months and then deleted.

All of the processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies on the end device used, will only take place if you have given us your express consent in accordance with Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR. Without your consent, Google Analytics 4 will not be used during your visit to the site. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. In order to exercise your right of withdrawal, please deactivate this service via the “Cookie-Consent-Tool“ provided on the website.

We have concluded an order processing contract with Google, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

More legal information about Google Analytics 4 can be found at https://policies. google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=de and under https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

Demographics
Google Analytics 4 uses the special function „demographic characteristics“ and can create statistics about the age, gender and interests of site visitors. This is done by analyzing advertising and information from third parties. This allows target groups for marketing activities to be identified. However, the collected data cannot be assigned to a specific person and will be deleted after being stored for a period of two months.

Google Signals
As an extension to Google Analytics 4, Google Signals can be used on this website to create cross-device reports. If you have activated personalized ads and linked your devices to your Google account, Google can track your usage behavior across devices, subject to your consent to the use of Google Analytics in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR Analyze and create database models, including cross-device conversions. We do not receive any personal data from Google, only statistics. If you want to stop the cross-device analysis, you can use the "Personalized advertising" feature. deactivate in the settings of your Google account. To do this, follow the instructions on this page: https://support.google.com/ads/answer/2662922?hl=de You can find more information about Google Signals under the following link: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7532985?hl=de

User IDs
As an extension to Google Analytics 4, the "UserIDs" function can be used on this website. be used. If you have consented to the use of Google Analytics 4 in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR, have set up an account on this website and log in to this account on various devices, your activities, including conversions, are analyzed across devices.

11) Retargeting/ remarketing and conversion tracking

11.1 Facebook pixel to create custom audiences with advanced data matching (with cookie consent tool)

Within our online offer, we use the &q service in the extended data comparison modeuot;Facebook Pixel" from the following provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Quare, Dublin 2, Ireland ("Facebook")

If a user clicks on an advertisement placed by us on Facebook, "Facebook Pixel" will be used. the URL of our linked page is extended by a parameter. After forwarding, this URL parameter is then entered into the user's browser by a cookie that our linked page sets itself. In addition, this cookie collects specific customer data such as the e-mail address that we collect on our website linked to the Facebook ad during transactions such as completing a purchase, account login or registration (extended data matching). The cookie is then read and enables the data, including specific customer data, to be transmitted to Facebook.

We use "Facebook Pixel" with extended data matching to make our Facebook ads (so-called "Facebook Ads") more effective and to ensure that they correspond to the interests of the user or have certain characteristics (e.g. interests in certain topics or products that are determined based on the websites visited ), which we transmit to Facebook (so-called "Custom Audiences").

In addition, we analyze the effectiveness of our advertisements by tracking whether users were redirected to our website after clicking on an advertisement (conversion). Compared to the standard variant of "Facebook Pixel" the advanced data matching feature helps us better measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns by tracking more attributed conversions.

All transmitted data is stored and processed by Facebook so that it can be assigned to the respective user profile and Facebook can use the data for its own advertising purposes in accordance with; Facebook's data usage guidelines (https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy /) can use. The data may enable Facebook and its partners to serve ads on and off Facebook.

All of the processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies for reading information on the terminal device used, will only be carried out if you have consented to us in accordance with; Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR have given your express consent to this. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future by using this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website. disable.

We have concluded an order processing contract with the provider, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

The information generated by Facebook is usually transmitted to a Facebook server and stored there; in this context there may also be a transfer to servers of Meta Platforms Inc. in the USA.

For data transfers to the USA, the provider has joined the EU-US data protection framework (EU-US Data Privacy Framework), which ensures compliance with the European data protection level on the basis of an adequacy decision by the European Commission .

11.2 Google Ads Remarketing

This website uses retargeting technology from the following provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland

For this purpose, Google sets a cookie in the browser of your end device, which automatically enables interest-based advertising using a pseudonymous cookie ID and based on the pages you visit. Any further data processing will only take place if you have given your consent to Google linking your Internet and app browser history to your Google account and using information from your Google account to personalize ads become what they look at on the web. In this case, if you are logged in to Google while visiting our website, Google will use your data together with Google Analytics data to create and define target group lists for cross-device remarketing. For this purpose, your personal data will be temporarily linked by Google with Google Analytics data in order to form target groups. As part of the use of Google Ads Remarketing, personal data may also be transmitted to the servers of Google LLC. come to the USA.

All the processing described above, iIn particular, the setting of cookies for reading information on the terminal device used will only be carried out if you have consented to us in accordance with; Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR have given your express consent to this. Without this consent, retargeting technology will not be used during your visit to the site.

You can withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please deactivate this service in the “Cookie-Consent-Tool“ provided on the website.

11.3 Microsoft Advertising

This website uses retargeting technology from the following provider: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA

This makes it possible to target visitors to our website who are already interested in our shop and our products with personalized, interest-based advertising. The advertising material is displayed on the basis of a cookie-based analysis of previous and current usage behavior, but no personal data is stored. In the case of retargeting technology, a cookie is stored on your computer or mobile device in order to collect pseudonymised data about your interests and thus adapt the advertising individually to the stored information. These cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device. You will be shown advertising that is highly likely to match your product and information interests.

All of the processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies for reading information on the terminal device used, will only be carried out if you have consented to us in accordance with; Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR have given your express consent to this. Without this consent, retargeting technology will not be used during your visit to the site.

You can withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please deactivate this service in the “Cookie-Consent-Tool“ provided on the website.

For the transfer of data to the USA, the provider relies on standard contractual clauses of the European Commission, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European level of data protection.

11.4 Google Ads conversion tracking

This website uses the online advertising program "Google Ads" and as part of Google Ads, conversion tracking by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland („Google“).

We use Google Ads to draw attention to our attractive offers with the help of advertising material (so-called Google Adwords) on external websites. In relation to the data of the advertising campaigns, we can determine how successful the individual advertising measures are. We are pursuing the aim of showing you advertising that is of interest to you, making our website more interesting for you and achieving a fair calculation of the advertising costs incurred.

The conversion tracking cookie is set when a user clicks on an ad served by Google. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your end device. These cookies usually lose their validity after 30 days and are not used for personal identification. If the user visits certain pages of this website and the cookie has not yet expired, we and Google can recognize that the user clicked on the ad and was redirected to this page. Each Google Ads customer receives a different cookie. This means that cookies cannot be tracked across the websites of Google Ads customers. The information obtained using the conversion cookie is used to create conversion statistics for Google Ads customers who have opted for conversion tracking. Customers find out the total number of users who clicked on their ad and were redirected to a page with a conversion tracking tag. However, you will not receive any information with which users can be personally identified.

As part of the use of Google Ads, it canalso to a transmission of personal data to the servers of Google LLC. come to the USA.

You can find details on the processing initiated by Google Ads Conversion Tracking and how Google handles data from websites here: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

You can also permanently object to the setting of cookies by Google Ads conversion tracking by downloading and installing the Google browser plug-in available under the following link:
https://www.google.com/settings/ads /plugin?hl=de

In order to address users whose data we have received in the context of business or business-like relationships in an even more interest-based advertising manner, we use a customer comparison function as part of Google Ads. To do this, we electronically transmit one or more files with aggregated customer data (mainly email addresses and telephone numbers) to Google. Google does not have access to plain data, but automatically encrypts the information in the customer files during the transmission process using a special algorithm. The encrypted information can then only be used by Google to assign it to existing Google accounts that the data subject has set up. This enables personalized advertising to be played out across all Google services linked to the respective Google account.

Customer data is only transmitted to Google if you have given us your express consent in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 letter a GDPR. You can revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future. Further information on Google's data protection measures in relation to the customer comparison function can be found here: https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/6334160?hl=de&ref_topic=10550182 Google's privacy policy can be viewed here: https://www.google.de/policies/ privacy/

11.5 Twitter conversion tracking

This website uses conversion tracking technology from the following provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07 Ireland

If you have reached our website from an advertisement on the provider's domain, the success of the advertisement can be tracked with the help of cookies and/or comparable technologies (tracking pixels, web beacons, pings or HTTP requests). become.

For this purpose, certain terminal device and browser information, including your IP address if applicable, is read out via the tracking technology in order to be able to carry out predefined user actions (e.g. completed transactions, leads, search queries on the website, calls from product pages) to record and evaluate. This enables the creation of statistics about the usage behavior on our website after the forwarding of an advertisement, which we use to optimize our offer.
All of the processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies for reading information on the terminal device used, will only be carried out if you have consented to us in accordance with; Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR have given your express consent to this. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future by using this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website. disable.

We have with the offerter concluded an order processing contract that ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

11.6 Microsoft Advertising Universal Event Tracking

This website uses conversion tracking technology from the following provider: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA

For the use of universal event tracking, a tag is stored on every page of our website that interacts with the conversion cookie set by Microsoft. This interaction makes user behavior on our website traceable and sends the information collected in this way to Microsoft. The purpose of this is that certain predefined goals such as purchases or leads can be statistically recorded and evaluated in order to make the orientation and content of our offers more interest-based. The tags are never used to personally identify users.

All of the processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies for reading information on the terminal device used, will only be carried out if you have consented to us in accordance with; Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR have given your express consent to this. Without this consent, retargeting technology will not be used during your visit to the site.

You can withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please deactivate this service in the “Cookie-Consent-Tool“ provided on the website.

12) Page functionalities

12.1 AddThis Bookmarking Plugins

Plugins from the social network of the following provider are used on our website: AddThis LLC, Inc. 8000 Westpark Drive, Suite 625, McLean, VA 2210, USA

These plugins allow direct interactions with content on the social network.

In order to increase the protection of your data when you visit our website, the plugins are initially deactivated using a so-called "2-click" or "Shariff" solution integrated into the page.

This integration ensures that when you visit a page on our website that contains such plugins, no connection is established with the provider's servers.

Only when you activate the plugins and thus according to&rszlig; Art. 6 Paragraph 1 lit. a DSGVO give your consent to the data transmission, your browser establishes a direct connection to the servers of the provider. Irrespective of logging into an existing user profile, a certain amount of information about the end device you are using (including your IP address), your browser and your page history is transmitted to the provider and processed there if necessary.

If you are logged into an existing user profile on the provider's social network, information about interactions carried out via the plugins will also be published there and displayed to your contacts.
You can revoke your consent at any time by deactivating the activated plugin by clicking on it again. However, the revocation has no effect on the data that has already been transferred to the provider.

We have concluded an order processing contract with the provider, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

12.2 Facebook Plugins

Plugins from the social network of the following provider are used on our website: Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland

These plugins allow direct interactions with content on the social network.

In order to increase the protection of your data when you visit our website, the plugins are initially deactivated using a so-called "2-click" or "Shariff" solution integrated into the page .

This integration ensures that when you visit a page on our website that contains such plugins, there is no connection to the Sserver of the provider.

If you are logged into an existing user profile on the provider's social network, information about interactions carried out via the plugins will also be published there and displayed to your contacts.
You can revoke your consent at any time by deactivating the activated plugin by clicking on it again. However, the revocation has no effect on the data that has already been transferred to the provider.

Data may also be transferred to: Meta Platforms Inc., USA

We have concluded an order processing contract with the provider, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

12.3 Instagram Plugins

Plugins from the social network of the following provider are used on our website: Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2 Ireland

These plugins allow direct interactions with content on the social network.

In order to increase the protection of your data when you visit our website, the plugins are initially deactivated using a so-called "2-click" or "Shariff" solution integrated into the page .

This integration ensures that when you visit a page on our website that contains such plugins, no connection is established with the provider's servers.

Data can also be transmitted: Meta Platforms Inc., USA

We have concluded an order processing contract with the provider, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

12.4 Twitter Plugins

Plugins from the social network of the following provider are used on our website: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07 Ireland

These plugins allow direct interactions with content on the social network.

In order to increase the protection of your data when you visit our website, the plugins are initially deactivated using a so-called "2-click" or "Shariff" solution integrated into the page .

This integration ensures that when you visit a page on our website that contains such plugins, no connection is established with the provider's servers.

Only when you activate the plugins and thus according to&rszlig; If you give your consent to data transmission in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR, your browser will establish a direct connection, e.gserver of the provider.

Data may also be transferred to: Meta Platforms Inc., USA

We have concluded an order processing contract with the provider, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

12.5 Youtube

This website uses plugins to display and play videos from the following provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland

Data can also be transmitted to: Google LLC., USA

If you call up a page on our website that contains such a plugin, your browser establishes a direct connection to the provider's servers in order to load the plugin. Certain information, including your IP address, is transmitted to the provider.

If the playback of embedded videos is started via the plugin, the provider also uses cookies to collect information about user behavior, create playback statistics and prevent abusive behavior.

If you are logged into a user account with the provider during your visit to the site, your data will be assigned directly to your account when you click on a video. If you do not wish to be assigned to your account, you must log out before pressing the play button.

All of the aforementioned processing, in particular the setting of cookies for reading information on the end device used, only takes place if you have given us your express consent in accordance with Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR have granted. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future by using this service via the “Cookie-Consent-Tool“ provided on the website. disable.

12.6 Trusted Shops Trustbadge

Graphic elements from the following provider are integrated on our website to display external customer ratings and/or an externally awarded quality mark: Trusted Shops AG, Subbelrather Str. 15C, 50823 Cologne, Germany

If you call up a page on our website that contains such graphic elements, your browser establishes a direct connection to the provider's servers in order to display the elements properly. to load. Certain browser information, including your IP address, is transmitted to the provider.

If personal data is also processed, this is done in accordance with Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in the optimal marketing of our offer and the attractive design of our website.

12.7 Google Maps API

To enable us to check certain entries in the address form of the ordering process in our online shop for input errors in real time, we use the services of the following provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland

Data can also be transmitted to: Google LLC., USA

The provider validates the entered address, verifies the spelling and completes any missing data. In the case of ambiguous addresses, correct alternative suggestions are displayed. For this purpose, the address data you enter is transmitted to the provider, where it is stored and evaluated.

This procmanagement according to Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in the proper collection of the correct address data of the customer in order to conscientiously fulfill our contractual delivery obligations and to prevent problems in the execution of the contract.

The provider processes the data concerned separately and does not merge it with other data stocks, and deletes it as soon as its status or correctness has been confirmed, but no later than after 30 days.

12.8 hCaptcha

On this website we use the CAPTCHA service of the following provider: Intuition Machines, Inc., 350 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA

The service checks whether an entry is made by a natural person or abusively by machine and automated processing, and blocks spam, DDoS attacks and similar automated malicious access. In order to ensure that an action is taken by a human and not by an automated bot, the provider collects and transmits the IP address of the terminal device used, identification data of the browser and operating system type used as well as the date and duration of the visit these for evaluation on the provider's server.

The legal basis is our legitimate interest in determining individual personal responsibility on the Internet and avoiding abuse and spam in accordance with; Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

We have concluded an order processing contract with the provider, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

13) Tools and Miscellaneous

Cookie Consent Tool

This website uses a so-called “Cookie-Consent-Tool“ to obtain effective user consent for cookies requiring consent and cookie-based applications. The “Cookie Consent Tool“ is displayed to users when the page is accessed in the form of an interactive user interface on which consent can be given for certain cookies and/or cookie-based applications by ticking the box. By using the tool, all cookies/services that require consent are only loaded if the respective user gives their consent by ticking the box. This ensures that such cookies are only set on the respective end device of the user if consent has been given.

The tool sets technically necessary cookies to save your cookie preferences. Personal user data is generally not processed here.

If, in individual cases, personal data (such as the IP address) is processed for the purpose of storing, allocating or logging cookie settings, this takes place in accordance with; Article 6 paragraph 1 lit. f GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in a legally compliant, user-specific and user-friendly consent management for cookies and therefore in a legally compliant design of our website.

Another legal basis for processing is Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR. As the person responsible, we are subject to the legal obligation to make the use of technically unnecessary cookies dependent on the respective user consent.

If necessary, we have concluded an order processing contract with the provider, which ensures the protection of the data of our site visitors and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

Further information on the operator and the setting options for the cookie content tool can be found directly in the corresponding user interface on our website.

European data protection level ensures.

14) Rights of the data subject

14.1 The applicable data protection law grants you the following data subject rights (rights to information and intervention) vis-à-vis the person responsible with regard to the processing of your personal data, whereby for the respective exercise requirements reference is made to the stated legal basis:

Right to information according to; Article 15 GDPR;
Right to Rectificationaccording to Article 16 GDPR;
Right to erasure according to Art. 17 GDPR;
Right to restriction of processing in accordance with; Article 18 GDPR;
Right to information according to; Art. 19 GDPR;
Right to data portability in accordance with; Art. 20 GDPR;
Right to revoke granted consent in accordance with; Art. 7 Para. 3 GDPR;
Right to complain according to Art. 77 GDPR.

14.2 RIGHT OF OBJECTION

IF WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IN THE CONTEXT OF A BALANCING OF INTERESTS IN OUR OVERRIDING LEGITIMATE INTEREST, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO OBJECT TO THIS PROCESSING FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION UNG FÜ R INSERT THE FUTURE.

IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL STOP THE PROCESSING OF THE DATA INVOLVED. FURTHER PROCESSING REMAINS RESERVED IF WE CAN PROVE COMPREHENSIVE REASONS FOR PROCESSING WHICH OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, OR IF THE PROCESSING IS THE CERTIFICATION, EXERCISE OR DEFENSE OF LEGAL CLAIMS ;CHEN SERVES.

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED BY US FOR DIRECT ADVERTISING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH ADVERTISING. YOU CAN OBJECT AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL STOP THE PROCESSING OF THE DATA CONCERNED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES.

15) Duration of storage of personal data

The duration of the storage of personal data is based on the respective legal basis, the processing purpose and - where relevant - additionally based on the respective legal retention period (e.g. commercial and tax retention periods).

When processing personal data on the basis of express consent in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a GDPR, the data concerned will be stored until you revoke your consent.

If there are statutory retention periods for data that are processed as part of legal or similar obligations on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, this data will be routinely deleted after the retention periods have expired ;ßig deleted if they are no longer required to fulfill the contract or to initiate a contract and/or we have no legitimate interest in further storage.

When personal data is processed on the basis of Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR, this data will be stored until you exercise your right to object under Article 21 (1) GDPR, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for processing that outweigh your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves to assert, exercise or defend legal claims.

When processing personal data for the purpose of direct advertising on the basis of Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR, this data will be stored until you exercise your right of objection under Article 21 (2) GDPR.

Unless otherwise stated in the other information in this statement about specific processing situations, stored personal data will be deleted if they are necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed are no longer necessary.