The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in force from 25 May 2018, introduces new requirements for how personal data must be handled. Below we summarise the information relevant to this website and how you can change the data you provide while browsing.
What is GDPR?
GDPR requires businesses to organise their data structures better, minimise the collection of personal data, and build privacy protection into their processes from the outset. Data controllers must know where user data is stored and who can access it. For consumers, GDPR aims to ensure control over data they provide (or have already provided) in order to receive an online service. GDPR affects any business that processes data of users in the EU.
Why are cookies and/or personal data needed on this website?
How this website works depends on whether you consent to the processing of your personal data. For example:
- Cookies are required to store checkout steps, login sessions, login details, comments, social sharing, site preferences, and settings (where available). Without them, these features cannot work and the site may not function correctly (for example, embedded YouTube videos may not load). Some cookies are strictly functional and cannot be switched off.
- Personal profile data such as name, phone, and email are needed to place orders, generate sales records, store purchase details, and offer better terms on future purchases.
- Marketing cookies and data are used to show advertising that matches your interests, deliver personalised promotional content, and notify you about new or promotional services/products offered on this site.
What rights do I have?
The regulation treats most statistical data as personal information that can identify a user. Previously, tools such as ad blockers and browser add-ons were used to limit such collection; for sites operating in the EU, processing without proper consent is not permitted.
- Users must give explicit, informed consent for their data to be processed and accessed for each specific purpose.
- Users must be able to edit, delete, and export their personal data from websites and must be notified of any security breach affecting their data.
- Users must receive clear information on how their data is stored, what security measures apply, and who has access. You can find this information on this page.
What personal data is processed and for what purposes?
- By clicking “I agree” on the cookie/consent notice, you allow the site administrators to use pseudonymous data about you as part of global traffic statistics (for example IP address, referrer, browser/OS).
- If you consent, such data may be sent to traffic analysis, conversion, and remarketing tools on Google and/or Facebook platforms. If you do not consent, your data will not be stored, sent to third parties/tools, or otherwise processed.
- When you register on this site (where registration is available), you may consent to receive notifications about promotions and campaigns by a method agreed in advance.
How can I exercise my rights on this website?
- Click your username/profile icon/link to edit your profile where an account exists.
- To withdraw consent given at registration, delete your profile, or request all data linked to your profile, email the site administrators (contact details on the Contacts page). We respond within one month and may request additional information to verify your identity.
- To withdraw consent for cookies you may:
- Delete all cookies this site has stored in your browser.
- [Block Google Analytics cookies](https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout) (browser add-on).
- Use add-ons such as Ghostery or AdBlock to block most trackers while still accepting this site’s essential cookies.
Where and how is personal data stored? What security measures apply?
- Data you submit to this website is transmitted over HTTPS, which encrypts information between your browser and our servers. Passwords and other sensitive data (where applicable) are additionally hashed/encrypted in our database.
- Server facilities are accessible only to authorised administrators, comply with EU regulations, and are located within the EU.
For what purposes is personal data processed?
- Pseudonymised data you provide when accepting these terms of use supports reporting, traffic analysis, understanding user interest, and improving the website. Your consent choices are stored in cookies in your browser.
- Data submitted via contact forms (such as email and name) is stored only to answer enquiries and maintain enquiry history. On request, it can be anonymised.
- Data submitted via registration forms is used to identify you as a user and to provide richer, personalised content/resources on the website, subject to the security measures described above.
How long is personal data kept?
- Anonymous statistical data is kept only as long as needed for the functionality you requested.
- Data submitted for registration or site functionality is retained lawfully for statistics, technical operation, and reference.
Who receives and processes my personal data?
- Data received from your browser (when you click “I agree”) may be sent to systems that analyse traffic and audience to improve the service, structure, and functionality of the site. These tools may support anonymous remarketing if you allow it. Tools we may use include:
- G-Suite / Google Analytics
- Facebook
- If you subscribe to a newsletter, the data you provide is used for promotions and messages related to the website and topics relevant to you.
- If you register (where available), you consent to processing under the site’s general terms. Your data is used for services linked to your account, including but not limited to: orders, profile information, site settings, wish lists, and messages. Contact the site administrator for details about data you have provided.
- Payment data you give to third parties as part of checkout (PayPal, ePay, etc.) is governed by their terms and policies; we do not store your payment card details.
Generally, only the administrators of this website—and technical personnel listed in the footer—have access to your data, depending on what you have shared.
Cookies
A cookie is a small text file stored on your computer or mobile device by a web server. Only that server can read the cookie, allowing the site to remember your preferences and navigate efficiently. Cookies make interaction between you and the website faster and easier.
This website uses cookies. Cookies are small text files generated by pages you visit; they can store session data useful on later visits so the site remembers your actions and preferences (username, language, font size, cart contents, display settings, etc.) without re-entering them each time.
Why are cookies used?
The data allow the website to remember your actions between pages and to understand how you interact with the site. Cookies are safe: they can only store information placed by the browser—information you entered or that was included in the page request. They cannot execute code or access your computer.
If you wish to control or delete cookies, see [aboutcookies.org](https://www.aboutcookies.org/). You can delete cookies already stored on your device and configure most browsers to block them; some features may then require manual settings on each visit and may not work correctly.
