Data Protection

1. Privacy at a Glance

General Information

The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data are all data with which you can be personally identified. Detailed information on data protection can be found in our privacy policy listed below this text.

Data collection on this website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website? The data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find their contact details in the „Responsible Party Notice“ section of this privacy policy.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected in part by you providing it to us. This may include data that you enter into a contact form, for example.

Other data is automatically collected or with your consent when you visit the website through our IT systems. These are primarily technical data (e.g., internet browser, operating system, or time of page access). This data is collected automatically as soon as you enter this website.

What do we use your data for?

Some of the data is collected to ensure the proper functioning of the website. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior.

What rights do you have regarding your data?

You have the right to obtain information about the origin, recipient, and purpose of your stored personal data free of charge at any time. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have given consent to data processing, you can revoke this consent at any time for the future. You also have the right, under certain circumstances, to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

You can contact us at any time regarding this and other questions about data protection.

Analysis tools and third-party tools

Your surfing behavior may be statistically analyzed when you visit this website. This is primarily done with so-called analysis programs.

Detailed information on these analysis programs can be found in the following privacy policy.

2. Hosting

We host the content of our website with the following provider:

IONOS

The provider is IONOS SE, Elgendorfer Str. 57, 56410 Montabaur (hereinafter IONOS). When you visit our website, IONOS collects various log files including your IP addresses. For details, please refer to IONOS‘ privacy policy: https://www.ionos.de/terms-gtc/terms-privacy.

The use of IONOS is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in providing our website with the most reliable presentation possible. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s terminal device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data processing agreement

We have entered into a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a legally required contract that ensures that the provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only according to our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General Information and Mandatory Information

Data Protection

The operators of these pages take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.

When you use this website, various personal data is collected. Personal data is data with which you can be personally identified. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.

We would like to point out that data transmission over the Internet (e.g., communication by e-mail) can have security gaps. A complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

Responsible Party Notice

The responsible party for data processing on this website is:

VM Trading GmbH
Industriestrasse 10
91637 Woernitz – Germany

Telephone: +49 (0) 9868 – 93 44 30
Email: info@vm-trading.com

The responsible party is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data (e.g., names, email addresses, etc.).

Storage Duration

Unless a specific storage period is specified in this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for data processing no longer applies. If you assert a justified request for deletion or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (e.g., tax or commercial retention periods); in the latter case, the deletion will take place after these reasons cease to apply.

General Information on Data Processing Legal Basis on this Website

If you have given your consent to data processing, we will process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a GDPR if special categories of data according to Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR are processed. In the case of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, data processing will also be based on Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or access to information on your terminal device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), data processing will also take place on the basis of § 25 para. 1 TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is necessary for the performance of a contract or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, we will process your data on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if necessary to fulfill a legal obligation based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR. Data processing may also be carried out on the basis of our legitimate interest according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. Information about the relevant legal basis in each individual case is provided in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.

Notice on Data Transfer to Non-Secure Third Countries and Transfer to US Companies Not DPF Certified

We use tools from companies based in non-secure third countries and US tools whose providers are not certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). When these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to and processed in these countries. We would like to point out that no data protection level comparable to the EU can be guaranteed in non-secure third countries.

We would like to point out that the USA, as a secure third country, generally has a data protection level comparable to that of the EU. Data transfer to the USA is permissible if the recipient is certified under the „EU-US Data Privacy Framework“ (DPF) or has suitable additional guarantees. Information on transfers to third countries including data recipients can be found in this privacy policy.

Recipients of Personal Data

In the course of our business activities, we work with various external entities. In some cases, the transfer of personal data to these external entities is necessary. We only pass on personal data to external entities if this is necessary for the fulfillment of a contract, if we are legally obliged to do so (e.g., disclosure of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest under Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR in passing on the data, or if another legal basis permits the data transfer. When using processors, we only pass on personal data of our customers on the basis of a valid data processing agreement. In the case of joint processing, a joint processing agreement is concluded.

Revocation of Your Consent to Data Processing

Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You can revoke consent that has already been given at any time. The legality of the data processing carried out before the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

Right to Object to Data Collection in Special Cases and to Direct Marketing (Art. 21 GDPR)

IF DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ART. 6 PARA. 1 LIT. E OR F GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, INCLUDING PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. YOU CAN FIND THE RESPECTIVE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR AFFECTED PERSONAL DATA UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR PROCESSING THAT OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS, OR THE PROCESSING SERVES TO ASSERT, EXERCISE, OR DEFEND LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21 PARA. 1 GDPR).

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH ADVERTISING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NO LONGER BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT MARKETING (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21 PARA. 2 GDPR).

Right to Lodge a Complaint with a Supervisory Authority

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement. This right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to other administrative or judicial remedies.

Right to Data Portability

You have the right to have data that we process automatically on the basis of your consent or in fulfillment of a contract handed over to you or to a third party in a common, machine-readable format. If you request direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will only be done to the extent that it is technically feasible.

Information, Correction, and Deletion

Within the framework of the applicable legal provisions, you have the right to free information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of data processing at any time and, if necessary, a right to correction or deletion of this data. For this purpose and for further questions about personal data, you can contact us at any time.

Right to Restriction of Processing

You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. You can contact us at any time for this purpose. The right to restrict processing exists in the following cases:

If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we usually need time to verify this. For the duration of the examination, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.

If the processing of your personal data was/is unlawful, you can request the restriction of data processing instead of deletion.

If we no longer need your personal data, but you need it for the exercise, defense, or assertion of legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of deletion.

If you have filed an objection under Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR, a balance must be struck between your interests and ours. As long as it has not yet been determined whose interests outweigh the other, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, this data – apart from its storage – may only be processed with your consent or for the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or a Member State.

SSL or TLS Encryption

For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or inquiries that you send to us as the site operator, this site uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the address line of the browser changes from „http://“ to „https://“ and by the lock symbol in your browser line.

If SSL or TLS encryption is activated, the data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.

Objection to Advertising Emails

We hereby object to the use of contact data published within the scope of the imprint obligation to send unsolicited advertising and information materials. The operators of the pages expressly reserve the right to take legal action in the event of unsolicited sending of advertising information, such as spam emails.

4. Data Collection on this Website

Cookies

Our website uses so-called „cookies“. Cookies are small data packets and do not cause any damage to your device. They are either temporarily stored for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (persistent cookies) on your device. Session cookies are automatically deleted after your visit ends. Persistent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or automatic deletion occurs through your web browser.

Cookies can originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (so-called third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain services from third-party companies within websites (e.g., cookies for processing payment services).

Cookies have various functions. Numerous cookies are technically necessary because certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart function or the display of videos). Other cookies may be used to analyze user behavior or for advertising purposes.

Cookies that are necessary for the execution of the electronic communication process, the provision of certain functions desired by you (e.g., for the shopping cart function), or for the optimization of the website (e.g., cookies for measuring web audience) (necessary cookies) are stored based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent has been requested for the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies, processing will be carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG); consent can be revoked at any time.

You can configure your browser to inform you about the setting of cookies and only allow cookies in individual cases, exclude the acceptance of cookies for specific cases or in general, and activate the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

You can find out which cookies and services are used on this website in this privacy policy.

Consent with Complianz

Our website uses the consent technology from Complianz to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies on your device or the use of certain technologies and to document them in compliance with data protection regulations. The provider of this technology is Complianz B.V., Kalmarweg 14-5, 9723 JG Groningen, Netherlands (hereinafter „Complianz“).

Complianz is hosted on our servers, so no connection is made to the servers of the provider of Complianz. Complianz stores a cookie in your browser to assign the consents granted or their revocation. The data collected in this way will be stored until you ask us to delete it, delete the Complianz cookie yourself, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies. Mandatory legal retention periods remain unaffected.

The use of Complianz is intended to obtain the legally required consents for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR.

Contact Form

If you send us inquiries via the contact form, your details from the inquiry form, including the contact details you provided there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing the inquiry and in case of follow-up questions. We will not share this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR, if your inquiry is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is necessary for the performance of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of the inquiries addressed to us (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR) if this has been requested; consent can be revoked at any time.

The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you ask us to delete it, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions – especially retention periods – remain unaffected.

Inquiry by Email, Phone, or Fax

If you contact us by email, telephone, or fax, your inquiry including all resulting personal data (name, inquiry) will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of processing your request. We will not share this data without your consent.

The data you send us via contact inquiries will remain with us until you ask us to delete it, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions – especially legal retention periods – remain unaffected.

5. Analysis Tools and Advertising

Google Tag Manager

We use Google Tag Manager. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Tag Manager is a tool that allows us to integrate tracking or statistical tools and other technologies on our website. Google Tag Manager itself does not create user profiles, store cookies, or perform independent analyses. It merely serves to manage and deploy the tools integrated through it. However, Google Tag Manager collects your IP address, which can also be transferred to Google’s parent company in the United States.

The use of Google Tag Manager is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in quickly and easily integrating and managing various tools on their website. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

The company is certified under the „EU-US Data Privacy Framework“ (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States aimed at ensuring compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the United States. Each company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information can be obtained from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active

Google Analytics

This website uses features of the web analytics service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited („Google“), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics enables the website operator to analyze the behavior of website visitors. The website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, duration of visit, operating systems used, and the user’s origin. This data is assigned to the respective end device of the user. It is not assigned to a user ID.

Google Analytics uses technologies that enable the recognition of the user for the purpose of analyzing user behavior (e.g., cookies or device fingerprinting). The information collected by Google about the use of this website is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

The use of this service is based on your consent under Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

The data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/controllerterms/mccs/.

IP Anonymization

We have activated the IP anonymization function on this website. As a result, your IP address will be truncated by Google within member states of the European Union or other parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area before being transmitted to the USA. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and truncated there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity, and to provide other services related to website activity and internet usage to the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other data from Google.

Browser Plugin

You can prevent Google from collecting and processing your data by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

For more information on how Google Analytics handles user data, see Google’s privacy policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

Data Processing Agreement

We have concluded a data processing agreement with Google and fully implement the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.

6. Plugins and Tools

Google Fonts (Local Hosting)

This site uses so-called Google Fonts provided by Google for the uniform display of fonts. The Google Fonts are installed locally. There is no connection to Google servers.

Further information about Google Fonts can be found at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google’s privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.

Google Maps

This site uses the Google Maps mapping service. The provider is Google Ireland Limited („Google“), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

To use the features of Google Maps, it is necessary to store your IP address. This information is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. The provider of this site has no influence on this data transmission. If Google Maps is activated, Google may use Google Fonts for the uniform display of fonts. When you access Google Maps, your browser loads the required web fonts into your browser cache to display texts and fonts correctly.

The use of Google Maps is in the interest of an attractive presentation of our online offers and easy location of the places we have indicated on the website. This represents a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

The data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/ and https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/sccs/.

For more information on how Google handles user data, see Google’s privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.

7. Audio- und Videokonferenzen

Data Processing

For communication with our customers, we use, among other tools, online conference tools. The tools we use are listed below. When you communicate with us via video or audio conference via the internet, your personal data is collected and processed by us and the provider of the respective conference tool.

The conference tools collect all data that you provide/use to use the tools (email address and/or your telephone number). Furthermore, the conference tools process the duration of the conference, start and end (time) of participation in the conference, number of participants, and other „context information“ related to the communication process (metadata).

Additionally, the tool provider processes all technical data necessary for the processing of online communication. This includes, in particular, IP addresses, MAC addresses, device IDs, device type, operating system type and version, client version, camera type, microphone or speaker, and the type of connection.

If content is exchanged, uploaded, or otherwise provided within the tools, it is also stored on the servers of the tool providers. Such content includes, in particular, cloud recordings, chat/instant messages, voicemails, uploaded photos and videos, files, whiteboards, and other information shared during the use of the service.

Please note that we do not have full control over the data processing operations of the tools used. Our options largely depend on the company policy of the respective provider. For further information on data processing by the conference tools, please refer to the privacy policies of the respective tools listed below this text.

Purpose and Legal Bases

The conference tools are used to communicate with prospective or existing contractual partners or to offer certain services to our customers (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR). Furthermore, the use of the tools serves the general simplification and acceleration of communication with us or our company (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR). If consent has been obtained, the use of the respective tools is based on this consent; consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future.

Storage Duration

The data directly collected by us via the video and conference tools will be deleted from our systems as soon as you request deletion, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose of data storage no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your device until you delete them. Mandatory legal retention periods remain unaffected.

We do not have any influence on the storage period of your data stored by the operators of the conference tools for their own purposes. For details, please inquire directly with the operators of the conference tools.

Conference Tools Used

Zoom

We use Zoom. The provider of this service is Zoom Communications Inc., San Jose, 55 Almaden Boulevard, 6th Floor, San Jose, CA 95113, USA. Details on data processing can be found in Zoom’s privacy policy: https://explore.zoom.us/de/privacy/.

The data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://explore.zoom.us/de/privacy/.

Data Processing Agreement

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a legally required contract that ensures that this service provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

Microsoft Teams

We use Microsoft Teams. The provider is Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland. Details on data processing can be found in Microsoft Teams‘ privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement.

Data Processing Agreement

8. Our Own Services

Handling of Applicant Data

We offer you the opportunity to apply with us (e.g., by email, postal mail, or via online application form). Below, we inform you about the scope, purpose, and use of your personal data collected during the application process. We assure you that the collection, processing, and use of your data are in accordance with applicable data protection laws and all other legal regulations, and your data will be treated strictly confidential.

Scope and Purpose of Data Collection

When you submit an application to us, we process the associated personal data (e.g., contact and communication data, application documents, notes from job interviews, etc.) to the extent necessary for deciding on the establishment of an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is § 26 BDSG under German law (initiation of an employment relationship), Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (general initiation of a contract), and – if you have given consent – Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR. The consent can be revoked at any time. Your personal data will only be disclosed within our company to individuals involved in the processing of your application.

If the application is successful, the data you provided will be stored in our data processing systems for the purpose of carrying out the employment relationship, based on § 26 BDSG and Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR.

Retention Period of Data

If we cannot offer you a position, you reject a job offer, or you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you have submitted based on our legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR) for up to 6 months after the conclusion of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application). Subsequently, the data will be deleted, and physical application documents will be destroyed. The retention serves, in particular, for evidentiary purposes in the event of legal proceedings. If it becomes apparent that the data will be required after the 6-month period (e.g., due to an impending or ongoing legal dispute), deletion will only occur when the purpose for continued storage no longer exists.

A longer retention period may also take place if you have given corresponding consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR) or if legal retention obligations oppose deletion.

Inclusion in the Applicant Pool

If we cannot offer you a position, there may be the option to include you in our applicant pool. In the event of inclusion, all documents and information from the application will be transferred to the applicant pool to contact you in case of suitable vacancies.

Inclusion in the applicant pool is solely based on your explicit consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). The consent is voluntary and has no relation to the ongoing application process. The data subject can revoke their consent at any time. In this case, the data from the applicant pool will be irrevocably deleted unless there are legal retention reasons.

The data from the applicant pool will be irrevocably deleted no later than two years after granting consent.