Cookie statement

To make this site work properly, we sometimes place small data files called cookies on your device. Most big websites do this too.

What are cookies?

A cookie is a small text file that a website saves on your computer or mobile device when you visit the site. It enables the website to remember your actions and preferences (such as login, language, font size and other display preferences) over a period of time, so you don't have to keep re-entering them whenever you come back to the site or browse from one page to another.

A cookie can be classified by its lifespan and the domain to which it belongs. By lifespan, a cookie is either a:

  • session cookie which is erased when the user closes the browser or
  • persistent cookie which remains on the user's computer/device for a pre-defined period of time.

How do we use cookies?

There are broadly four reasons why a cookie might be stored on your device when visiting our website.

  • Cookies that make the website work properly for you and enable you to make use of the secure online services that we provide.
  • Cookies that collect data about your use of the website which is then anonymised and used to help us improve our online services.
  • Cookies that remember your preferences and make the site easier for you to use.
  • Cookies that are placed by third party services we make use of to enhance the information we present online. We have no control over these third party cookies.

A visit to our website may generate the following types of cookie:

Functionality cookies

  • SESS[Unique ID]: This cookie allows logging in and remembering which contact forms you have submitted. This cookie is essential for site functionality and the user experience.
  • Drupal.tableDrag.showWeight, Drupal.toolbar.collapsed, ais, ctools-collapsible-statem has_js: Our Content Management System, Drupal sets these cookies to store user interface preferences.

Analytics cookies

Website visitors are tracked using first-party cookies from the Google Analytics service and the Europa Analytics service, which measures the effectiveness and efficiency of our website.

In order to comply with privacy regulations, we have configured Google Analytics not to track personal data. We don't track the client ID, we anonymize your IP address and the _ga cookie is configured as a session cookie to expire when you close your browser session.

The following cookies _pk_ref, _pk_id, _pk_ses: are set by the web analytics service Europa Analytics. In order to comply with privacy regulations the analytics service does not track personal data, for example we anonymize your IP address.

Third-party cookies

Some website pages use third party services or software, such as maps, online videos or social networking features. Many of these services may set cookies on your device and we do not control their operation.

Enabling these cookies is not strictly necessary for the website to work but it will provide you with a better browsing experience. You can delete or block these cookies, but if you do that some features of this site may not work as intended.

The cookie-related information is not used to identify you personally. Cookies are used only for the purpose described here.

How to control cookies

Most browsers allow you to control whether or not they accept cookies. Instructions for configuring cookie settings in some of the most popular browsers are available from these pages:

Detailed step by step guidance on how to control and delete cookies is also available from www.aboutcookies.org.