Privacy Policy

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General

This privacy policy sets out how Particle Characterisation Laboratories use and protect any information that you give Particle Characterisation Laboratories, in accordance with data protection law and specifically the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This policy is employed across our global operations.

The term Particle Characterisation Laboratories or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the organisation collecting data and the owner of the website whose registered office is 4th Floor, Plot No. C-1, Block III IDA, Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, 500039. The term ‘you’ refers to the individuals whom we collect data from or the user/viewer of our website. ‘Personal information’ refers to information that could identify you as an individual, any unique-to-you data, your personal/unique contact details, private or professional.

Particle Characterisation Laboratories. is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

Particle Characterisation Laboratories may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. Should we need to make changes, we will inform you of the change that has been made.

What we collect

We may collect the following information:

  • Name and job title
  • Contact information including business email address or personal email address (if and only supplied by you and with your permission to collect the information)
  • Demographic information such as professional affiliation, business address, postcode, business telephone numbers, preferences and interests

When do we collect information?

We collect information from you when you register on our site, subscribe to a newsletter, respond to a survey, fill out a form, Open a Support Ticket or enter information on our site.

What we do with the information we gather
We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

  • We may use the information to improve our products and services.
  • We may periodically send emails about scientific publications, new products, application notes and case studies, scientific events or other information which we think you may find interesting, based on the information you have provided, and according to your preference using the email address which you have provided.
  • If you are a customer, from time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for customer satisfaction survey purposes. We may contact you by email, phone or mail.
    • We may also use the information to customise the website according to your interests.
  • The information is stored in a centralised system in our headquarters in the United Kingdom and only authorised personnel have access to it. This is controlled and managed through a CRM system also hosted in the United Kingdom.

GDPR: Seven Principles 

Surface Measurement Systems will reflect and enforce the GDPR’s Seven Principles of Data Processing in all handling of Personal Information. For your reference, these principles are:

Article 5(1) requires that personal data shall be:  

    1. processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to individuals (‘lawfulness, fairness and transparency’);
    2. collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes (‘purpose limitation’);
    3. adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed (‘data minimisation’);
    4. accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay (‘accuracy’);
    5. kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures required by the GDPR in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals (‘storage limitation’);
    6. processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures (‘integrity and confidentiality’).”

Article 5(2) adds that:

“The controller shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate compliance with, paragraph 1 (‘accountability’).”

Your GDPR rights

Under GDPR, those we hold personal information for have 8 Data Subject Rights which Surface Measurements Systems are committed to ensuring:

  1. The right to be informed

Organisations need to tell individuals what data is being collected, how it’s being used, how long it will be kept and whether it will be shared with any third parties. This information must be communicated concisely and in plain language.

  1. The right of access

Individuals can submit subject access requests, which oblige organisations to provide a copy of any personal data they hold concerning the individual.

Organisations have one month to produce this information, although there are exceptions for requests that are manifestly unfounded, repetitive or excessive.

  1. The right to rectification

If an individual discovers that the information an organisation holds on them is inaccurate or incomplete, they can request that it be updated. As with the right of access, organisations have one month to do this, and the same exceptions apply.

  1. The right to erasure

Individuals can request that organisations erase their data in certain circumstances – for example, when the data is no longer necessary, the data was unlawfully processed, or it no longer meets the lawful ground for which it was collected.

This includes instances where the individual withdraws consent.

The right to erasure is also known as ‘the right to be forgotten’.

  1. The right to restrict processing

Individuals can request that an organisation limits the way it uses personal data.

It’s an alternative to requesting the erasure of data and might be used when an individual contests the accuracy of their personal data.

An individual can also exercise this right when they no longer use the product or service for which it was originally collected, but the organisation needs it to establish, exercise or defend a legal claim.

  1. The right to data portability

Individuals are permitted to obtain and reuse their personal data for their own purposes across different services. This right only applies to personal data that an individual has provided to data controllers by way of a contract or consent.

  1. The right to object

Individuals can object to the processing of personal data that is collected on the grounds of legitimate interests or the performance of a task in the interest/exercise of official authority.

Organisations must stop processing information unless they can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing that overrides the interests, rights and freedoms of the individual.

They can also refuse this right if the processing is for the establishment or exercise of defence of legal claims.

  1. Rights related to automated decision making including profiling

The GDPR includes provisions for decisions made with no human involvement, such as profiling, which uses personal data to make calculated assumptions about individuals.

There are strict rules about this kind of processing, and individuals are permitted to challenge and request a review of the processing if they believe the rules aren’t being followed.

Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect.

Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

  • Whenever you are asked to fill in a form you will be informed of any information being collected, making you aware of what will be stored and giving you the opportunity to not submit the information.
  • If you have previously agreed to us to use your personal information for communication, you may change your mind at any time by emailing us at info@particlelaboratories.com, writing to the postal address provided earlier, or amending your subscription settings by using the link offered in all our marketing emails.

Third Parties

Where some of the services we offer are fulfilled by third parties (e.g. sales inquiries through regionally-assigned distributors, instrument quality assurance through local contractors), your provided details may be passed to said third parties for them to appropriately respond to and addres your query. Your information will never be passed to a third party for advertising or marketing purposes, or for reasons other than in response to a specific business purpose, without your express permission.

Website

Cookies and web analytics
Our website uses “cookies” (text files saved on your computer) to track and monitor page traffic and user interaction history. This is done both to monitor website traffic, and record advertisement performance and session information. You can consent to these cookies using the Privacy Bar that appears on first entry to our website. The cookies employed on our site do not capture personal information, and any information gathered on your visit is protected, stored securely on Pantheon web host servers, and only used for website reporting purposes. Our website also uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses cookies to help the website analyze how you use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. If this website anonymizes IP addresses, your IP address will be truncated by Google within an EU member state or other EEA state before being transmitted to the US. Only in exceptional situations will your full IP address be transmitted to Google servers in the United States and truncated there. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above. You can also prevent Google from collecting information (including your IP address) via cookies and processing this information by downloading this browser plugin and installing it: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Further information concerning the terms and conditions of use and data privacy can be found at the Google Analytics Terms of Service or at the Google Analytics Privacy Overview. Please note that on this website, Google Analytics is supplemented by “gat._anonymizeIp();” to ensure anonymized collection of IP addresses (IP masking).

Links to other websites
Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we are not responsible for the protection and privacy of any information, which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Browsing the websites
If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Particle Characterisation Laboratories relationship with you in relation to this website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

  • The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
  • This website uses web analytics and uses cookies, as detailed in earlier in this policy.
  • Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. We recommend that you take further advice or seek further guidance before taking any action based on the information contained on this website.
  • Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
  • All materials contained in this website are protected by intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyright, and either belong to us or is licensed to us to use. Materials include, but are not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance, graphics, images, videos, and documents on the website, as well as other content such as articles, stories, specifications, guidance notes, details of our products, regulatory information, company profiles and other text.
  • All trademarks reproduced in this website which are not the property of, or licensed to, the operator is acknowledged on the website.
  • We do not guarantee that this website will be compatible with all or any hardware and software which you may use. We do not guarantee that this website will be available all the time or at any specific time. We reserve the right to withdraw or modify this website at any time.
  • We are only liable to you for losses which you suffer as a result of a breach of these terms and conditions by us. We are not responsible to you for any losses which you may incur which were not a foreseeable consequence of us breaching these terms and conditions, for example if you and we could not have contemplated those losses before or when you access this website. Our liability to you shall not in any circumstances include any business losses that you may incur, including but not limited to lost data, lost profits or business interruption.
  • From time to time this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
  • Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of India.

Third party disclosure

  • We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your Personally Identifiable Information.
  • We do not include or offer third-party products or services on our website.


Contact information

    If you have any queries about our Privacy Policy, or any data we hold for you, please contact info@particlelaboratories.com

    Last updated: 31 May 2022.

USA-specific policies

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General

This section details any additional aspects of the Particle Characterisation Laboratories Privacy Policy that ensure we are in line with USA privacy and data protection laws. These are in addition to the Privacy Policy mentioned above, which is also in effect for our operations in the United States of Ameria.

This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally Identifiable Information’ (PII) is being used online. PII, as described in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. In addition to the Policies mentioned above, please read our USA privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.

Protecting your information

  • We do not use vulnerability scanning and/or scanning to PCI standards.
  • We only provide articles and information.
  • We use regular Malware Scanning.
  • All information are kept in our headquarters in the United Kingdom and only authorized persons have access to it.

Your personal information is contained behind secured networks and is only accessible by a limited number of persons who have special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential. In addition, all sensitive/credit information you supply is encrypted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.

We implement a variety of security measures when a user enters, submits, or accesses their information to maintain the safety of your personal information.

All transactions are processed through a gateway provider and are not stored or processed on our servers.

California Online Privacy Protection Act

CalOPPA is the first state law in the nation to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law’s reach stretches well beyond California to require any person or company in the United States (and conceivably the world) that operates websites collecting Personally Identifiable Information from California consumers to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its website stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals or companies with whom it is being shared. – See more at: http://consumercal.org/california-online-privacy-protection-act-caloppa/#sthash.0FdRbT51.dpuf

According to CalOPPA, we agree to the following:

  • Users can visit our site anonymously.
  • Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page or as a minimum, on the first significant page after entering our website.

You will be notified of any Privacy Policy changes via email and you can update your preferences by emailing us at info@particlelaboratories.com

COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)

CalOPPA is the first state law in the nation to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law’s reach stretches well beyond California to require any person or company in the United States (and conceivably the world) that operates websites collecting Personally Identifiable Information from California consumers to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its website stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals or companies with whom it is being shared. – See more at: http://consumercal.org/california-online-privacy-protection-act-caloppa/#sthash.0FdRbT51.dpuf

According to CalOPPA, we agree to the following:

  • Users can visit our site anonymously.
  • Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page or as a minimum, on the first significant page after entering our website.

You will be notified of any Privacy Policy changes via email and you can update your preferences by emailing us at info@particlelaboratories.com

COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)

When it comes to the collection of personal information from children under the age of 13 years old, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The Federal Trade Commission, United States’ consumer protection agency, enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children’s privacy and safety online.

We do not specifically market to children under the age of 13 years old.

Fair Information Practices

The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the United States and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect personal information.

In order to be in line with Fair Information Practices we will take the following responsive action, should a data breach occur:

  • We will notify you via email within 7 business days

We also agree to the Individual Redress Principle which requires that individuals have the right to legally pursue enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law. This principle requires not only that individuals have enforceable rights against data users, but also that individuals have recourse to courts or government agencies to investigate and/or prosecute non-compliance by data processors.

CAN SPAM Act

The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have emails stopped from being sent to them, and spells out tough penalties for violations.

  • We collect your email address in order to:
  • Send information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions
  • Process orders and to send information and updates pertaining to orders.
  • Send you additional information related to your product and/or service
  • Send you white papers or invite you to join scientific events
  • Contact our customers for satisfaction surveys in order to improve our services with them.

The communication to our customers may continue after the original transaction has occurred for the above purposes. Nevertheless, you can opt-out of recieveing any of this information at any time by informing us.

To be in accordance with CANSPAM, we agree to the following:
• Not use false or misleading subjects or email addresses.
• Identify the message as an advertisement in some reasonable way.
• Include the physical address of our business or site headquarters.
• Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if one is used.
• Honor opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly.
• Allow users to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email.

If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, you can email us at info@particlelaboratories.com or write to the address provided above, and we will promptly remove you from ALL correspondence upon receipt of the request.

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us using the information mentioned above.

Last updated: 15 December 2021.

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