1.1 | Cookies are small pieces of data stored in text files that are saved on your computer or other devices when websites are loaded in a browser. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to the site's owners. Cookies remember you and your preferences, either for a single visit (through a "session cookie") or for multiple repeat visits (using a "persistent cookie"). Cookies can be helpful because it generally helps to improve your online experience. 

1.2 | Session cookies are temporary cookies used during your visit to the Website and expire when you close the web browser. 

1.3 | Persistent cookies are used to remember your preferences within our Website and remain on your desktop or mobile device even after you close your browser or restart your computer. They ensure a consistent and efficient experience for you while visiting the Website and Services. This category encompasses all cookies that remain on your hard drive until you erase them or your browser does, depending on the cookie’s expiration date. All persistent cookies have an expiration date written into their code, but their duration can vary. 

1.4 | Cookies may be set on your device directly by the Website you are visiting ("first-party cookies"), or placed on your device, not by the website you are visiting but by third parties, such as those who serve content or provide advertising or analytics services on the Website ("third-party cookies"). These third-party cookies are subject to the respective third-party privacy policies. 

When you visit our Website, we may collect certain personal data automatically from your device, such as: 

• IP address; 
• domain name you requested; 
• the name of your internet service provider (ISP); 
• date and time of your visit to the website; 
• the length of your session; 
• the pages which you have accessed; 
• the number of times you access our Website within a month; 
• the file URL you look at and information relating to it; 
• the website which referred you to our Website; 
• the operating system which your computer uses; 
• we are using Google Analytics for tracking our Website traffic and the user data retention period is 24 months. 

Collecting this information enables us to better understand the visitor who comes to our Website, where they come from and what content on our Website is of interest to them. We use this information for our internal analytics purposes, and to improve the quality and relevance of our Website to our visitors. Information will be collected using cookies and similar tracking technology. 

We use cookies for several reasons including to ensure the Website functions properly, improve user experience, analyze Website performance, marketing and advertising. 

3.1 | Strictly necessary cookies 

Necessary cookies are essential for you to browse the Website and use its features such as accessing secure areas of the Website. Necessary cookies are always active on the Website and cannot be switched off in our systems. These cookies will generally be first-party session cookies and do not store any personally identifiable information. 

For example, strictly necessary cookies will allow web shops to hold your items in your cart while you are shopping online. 

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3.2 | Functional cookies or preference cookies 

Functionality cookies let us operate the Website and Services in accordance with the choices you make or you made in the past. These cookies help to provide a better user experience on this Website by enhancing functionality and personalization. 

These cookies remember if you have agreed to (or refused) this site’s cookie policy. 

These cookies are only used if you consent. 

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3.3 | Marketing cookies or targeting cookies 

These cookies may be set through our Website by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. 

These cookies are only used if you consent. 

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3.4 | Performance cookies or statistic cookies 

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our Website. These cookies collect information about how you use a website, like which pages you visited, which links you clicked on, which pages are the most and least popular... None of this information can be used to identify you. It’s all aggregated and therefore anonymized. 

For example, if you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our Website and will not be able to monitor its performance. 

These cookies are only used if you consent. 

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Necessary cookies will always be active on your device, but we ask for your consent to place cookies on your device. 

Every time you visit the Website, you will be prompt to accept or refuse cookies. The purpose is to enable the site to remember your preferences for a certain period of time. That way, you don’t have to re-enter them when browsing around the site during the same visit. 

If at any time, you want to change your cookies settings, including withdrawing your consent to this processing, we would encourage you to do this via this link. You may need to refresh the page before the changes to the settings take effect. 

5.1 | You can control and manage cookies in various ways, and you have the right to choose whether to accept cookies, and we explain how you can exercise this right below. 

You can change your cookie settings at any time on the cookie policy page. 

As an alternative, you can block all cookies by activating the setting on your browser that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some cookies. However, if you use your browser settings to block all cookies (including essential cookies), you may not be able to access all or parts of our site. 

If you accept some or all cookies on this Website, you still have the option of setting your browser to let you know when you receive a cookie, so that you may decide whether to accept it or not. 

Be aware that disabling cookies will affect the functionality of this and many other websites that you visit. Disabling cookies will usually result in also disabling certain functionality and features of this website. Therefore, it is recommended to not disable cookies. 

5.2 | Do not track preferences 

Do Not Track is a function that allows visitors not to be tracked by websites. Do not track options are available in many browsers including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari, Opera. 

Please be aware that some areas of our website may not work if your browser doesn’t allow cookies. 

When we post changes to this Cookie Policy, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this Cookie Policy. If we make any material changes in the way we collect, use, and/or share information held in cookies, we will let you know by prominently posting notice of the changes on the Website. We recommend that you check this page from time to time to inform yourself of any changes in this Cookie Policy or any of our other policies. 

You acknowledge that you have read this Policy and agree to all its terms and conditions. By accessing and using the Website you agree to be bound by this Policy. If you do not agree to abide by the terms of this Policy, you are not authorized to access or use the Website. 

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Cookie Policy or the use of cookies, we encourage you to contact us using the details below: 

The Gold Standard Foundation
Chemin de Balexert 7-9
CH-1219 Chatelaine - GE, Switzerland 

[email protected]