1. What cookies are
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make sites work, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to the site owner. Similar technologies, such as local storage, can serve comparable purposes, and we treat them under this policy in the same way.
Cookies can be "session" cookies, which expire when you close your browser, or "persistent" cookies, which remain until they expire or are deleted. They can also be "first-party" cookies set by us, or "third-party" cookies set by another provider.
2. Why we use them
We use cookies sparingly and with respect for your choices. Our aims are to keep the website secure and functional, to understand in aggregate how the site is used so we can improve it, and, only where you allow it, to support relevant messaging. We do not use cookies to build intrusive profiles.
3. Cookie categories
3.1 Strictly necessary
These cookies are essential for the website to function. They support core features such as remembering your cookie preferences and keeping the site secure. Because the site cannot work properly without them, they do not require consent and remain active at all times.
3.2 Analytics
With your permission, analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use the site in an aggregated and anonymous way, for example which pages are viewed most often. This helps us improve our content and structure. These cookies are off by default until you enable them.
3.3 Marketing
With your permission, marketing cookies may be used to support relevant and non-intrusive messaging about our general informational content. These cookies are also off by default and are only used if you choose to enable them.
4. Your consent
When you first visit the website, a consent banner appears. You can choose "Accept All" to allow all categories, "Reject" to keep only strictly necessary cookies, or "Cookie Settings" to make a detailed choice between analytics and marketing. Your selection is stored so that we can respect it on future visits.
Strictly necessary cookies are always enabled because the site depends on them. All other categories require your active, informed consent, which you can change or withdraw whenever you wish.
5. Managing your preferences
You can review and update your choices at any time. If you wish to change your selection after your first visit, you can clear the stored preference in your browser, which will cause the consent banner to appear again, allowing you to choose afresh.
- Use "Cookie Settings" in the banner to toggle analytics and marketing individually.
- Select "Reject" to limit cookies to the strictly necessary category.
- Clear site data in your browser to reset all preferences.
6. Browser controls
Most browsers let you view, manage, and delete cookies through their settings. You can usually block cookies entirely or be warned before they are set. Please note that blocking strictly necessary cookies may affect how parts of the website function. Guidance for managing cookies is available in the help section of your particular browser.
7. Third-party cookies
Some features may rely on trusted third-party services that can set their own cookies, for example when delivering analytics. Where this happens with your consent, those providers process information according to their own policies. We choose providers carefully and aim to keep any such use limited and transparent.
8. Updates to this policy
We may revise this Cookie Policy as our practices or the relevant rules change. The date at the top of the page shows when it was last updated. Significant changes may also be reflected in the consent banner so you can review your choices again.
9. Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please reach out through our contact page or using the details on our Impressum. For more on how we handle personal data, see our Privacy Policy.