Valumat, the management body for extended manufacturer responsibility for mattresses

Privacy and cookie policy

This website or application (“Website”) is an initiative of Valumat, non-profit association under Belgian law, with company number BE 0677.948.539 and with its registered office at Hof ter Vleestdreef 5, 1070 Brussels (“Valumat” of “we”). Any user of or visitor to the Website (“User”, “Visitor” of “you ”) shall provide personal data by visiting and/or using the Website as further explained below. Valumat acts as the responsible entity for processing with regard to personal data collected via the Website.

Valumat strives to collect and process your personal data in accordance with the applicable legal framework, such as the Belgian Privacy Act of 8 December 1992 and the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 (hereinafter “GDPR”).

You declare that you have read this Privacy and Cookie Policy (“Policy”), and therefore accept the processing of your personal data as described herein.

This Policy is subject to future adjustments and changes by Valumat. Valumat will clearly communicate such adjustments or changes, after which you expressly accept these changes. It is therefore up to the Visitor or User to consult this Policy on a regular basis.

1. Who processes your personal data?

Valumat acts as the controller for the processing. Valumat also uses a number of processors who process your personal data on behalf of Valumat, and who ensure the proper technical functioning of the Website.

Valumat makes use of the following categories of processor in the context of the Website:

  • Processors who are responsible for hosting or creating the Website
  • Processors who collect and display statistics from the Website
  • Processors who provide email marketing and other communication services

2. Why is your personal data processed?

Valumat collects and processes your personal data in order to offer you a safe, optimal and personal user experience of the Website. Data processing is essential for the proper functioning of the Website and the associated services. The processing is done for the following purposes and other compatible purposes:

  • To provide the User with access to his or her user profile with which he or she can perform actions on our Website;
  • To offer a general and personalised service;
  • Sending communications of a commercial or non-commercial nature;
  • Informing about the activities and services of Valumat;
  • Checking declarations and paying premiums if applicable;
  • Managing customers, suppliers and other business partners;
  • Providing support in the event of questions or comments;
  • Follow-up of complaints regarding the operation of our Website;
  • Performing analyses and drawing up reports;
  • Performing audits to verify the relevant figures;
  • Announcing and registering for events;
  • Promoting our cooperation with you;
  • Detection of and protection against fraud, errors, criminal or illegal behaviour and/or any other action that contravenes the terms of our Website.

Valumat processes and stores your personal data for as long as this is necessary for the purposes described above.

3. On what grounds are your personal data processed?

Valumat processes your personal data collected via the Website on the basis of (i) your acceptance of this Policy, and/or (ii) the preparation and execution of the agreement concluded between you and Valumat through the Website (iii) compliance with our legal obligations, and/or (iv) promotion of the legitimate interest of Valumat, such as conducting direct marketing, preventing fraud, managing internal administration or monitoring appropriate network and information security.

4. How is your personal data collected?

Your personal data is obtained on the one hand by you, for example, creating your profile or filling in online forms, on the other hand by various technical means employed by the Website to optimise the User– and Visitor experience and to detect any (technical) errors in the Website, such as cookies (see article 7) and log information.

5. Which categories of personal data are processed?

Valumat collects the following categories of personal data, insofar as applicable to you:

  • Identification data: Surname, first name
  • Contact details: E-mail address, telephone number
  • Professional data: Position, employer, company number
  • Personal characteristics: Gender, language
  • Payment details: Bank account number
  • IP address, time of consultation, probable location of consultation, data relating to the device used.

6. Will my data be transferred to third parties within the EU?

Your personal data can be shared with the categories of processors as defined in Article 1 of this Policy, business partners of Valumat and with authorities or government.

Your personal data will not be sold, passed on or communicated to third parties.

7. Cookies

Introduction to cookies

We find it important that you can make full use of our website and related online services. Therefore, we make use of techniques such as cookies and scripts. We refer to these techniques as ‘cookies’.
In this cookie policy, we give you a clear and transparent explanation about which cookies we use and why we do this.

What are cookies?

Cookies make the use of our website easier, so that your experience on our website and related internet services is optimal.
Cookies and web storage technologies such as local and sessional storage (“cookies”) are – for example – small text files that are installed on your device by your browser when you visit our website. These files contain unique codes which – for example – allow your browser to recognize you when you visit an online service.
Third-party web technologies such as scripts, pixels, and tags that we integrate into our website also place cookies on your device.

Where do cookies come from?

Based on the origin of cookies, a distinction is made between so-called first-party cookies and third-party cookies.

First-party cookies are cookies that we manage and use on the website you are currently visiting and any related online internet services. It is that website or online service which creates and places the cookies in order – for example – to function properly.

Third-party cookies are cookies that are not placed by us, the operator of the website you are currently visiting, but by third parties. By placing cookies, these third parties can receive information – for example – when you have loaded a page on the website.

If you do not want to allow third-party cookies, you will only get the functions on the website that are guaranteed to work without them. In that case, parts of the website, and any related online services, which may contain third-party content (and may therefore set third-party cookies) will not be available to you.
If you wish to use the content of the website, you must give permission for the use of third-party cookies.
You can give permission for the use of these cookies in your cookie settings.

Why do we use cookies?

Firstly, cookies are used to improve your user experience and make our online services work better. Cookies make your online experience smoother and more interactive in several ways.
For example, by using cookies you do not always have to enter the same information, such as your login details.
In addition, cookies can be used to make the content of our website(s) and (mobile) applications more interesting for you. This is done by adapting certain content to your personal taste and needs.
Cookies are also used to track your surfing behaviour. For example, how you arrived at the website. By analysing this data, we can improve the website and possibly related online services where necessary and respond to the preferences and needs of you and other users. Finally, this data can be used to fulfil certain reporting obligations.

What cookies do we use and for what purposes?

Different types of cookies may be placed through the website and possibly related online services. These cookies can be divided into different categories, which we will explain in more detail below.

Essential cookies
Are used:

  • For the website to function as intended.
  • To read browser settings in order to display the website optimally on your screen.
  • To load the website evenly, always keeping it accessible.
  • To give you the possibility to react on the website.

Essential cookies, also called strictly necessary cookies, are cookies that are necessary for our website and any related online services to work optimally. No permission is required to use these cookies, so it is not possible to disable or refuse them.

Functional cookies
Are used:

  • To deliver multimedia content according to your needs and interests.
  • To keep your details safe when you are logged in.
  • To remember settings and data you have selected and entered.

Functional cookies, also called recommendation cookies, allow a website to save data en settings already entered, such as usernames and language choices, so that it can offer you better and smarter functions. Functional cookies also allow us to make more targeted recommendations and suggestions.
You can always enable or disable these cookies in the cookie settings.

Analysis and optimization
Are used:

  • To see how you visit the website
  • To find out more about your personal visit to different pages on the website.
  • To improve and adapt the website to your needs.

Performance cookies, also called statistical or analytical cookies, collect information about how the website and possibly related online services are used. This information allows statistical analyses to be made. The results of these statistical analyses enable us to make the website and any related online services as user-friendly as possible. For example, by adjusting the structure, navigation, and content. In this way, we try to improve your experience on the website.
You can always enable or disable these cookies in the cookie settings.

Marketing cookies
Are used:

  • To make advertising content on websites or online banners more relevant to you and your specific interests.
  • To create online advertising that appeals to the right people with the right information.
  • To prevent the same ads from appearing repeatedly.

Marketing cookies, also called targeting or advertising cookies, track your browsing habits on our website and any related online services to build a profile that is used to show you relevant ads that match your personal interests. Marketing cookies only collect data that tells us something about your media usage. Personal data duck as your name, address and so on are not used for this purpose.
You can always enable or disable these cookies in the cookie settings.
To clarify: Disabling these cookies will not prevent you from seeing advertising. The advertising you see will only be less relevant because it is not tailored to your - presumed - interests. Marketing cookies ensure that the advertising you see is ‘tailored’ to you interests.

Social media cookies
Social media cookies are used to enable the integration of social networking sites, such as Facebook and YouTube, on the website. The website may contain embedded elements from third parties, or buttons to share certain elements on the website on a social networking site. Those third parties may place cookies through the website to collect data. TREE has no influence on what those third parties do with this data. For more information about these cookies, please refer to the statements these third parties provide about them on their own website and online services. These statements may change regularly.

Here is a detailed list of the cookies used on this website:


How long do cookies last?

Based on how long cookies exist, a distinction can be made between temporary and permanent cookies.
Temporary cookies are stored temporarily in your browser or (mobile) application. As soon as you close your browser or (mobile) application, these cookies are deleted.
Permanent cookies remain on your computer or mobile device even if you close your browser or (mobile) application. Thanks to these cookies we can recognize you when you visit the same website or (mobile) application later. Persistent cookies remain on your device until a predetermined, automatically determined, end date is reached, until a new cookie is installed, or until you delete them in the settings of your browser, (mobile) application or mobile device.

How do I manage cookies?

You can manage the use cookies on this website or via your browser settings.

Via this website
When you visit this website for the first time, you will have the opportunity to accept the different types of cookies. Later, you can change the chosen settings at any time in the provided cookie settings, which can be reached by clicking on the relevant link in the footer of each page on this website or by clicking on a link in this privacy and cookie policy that refers you to the cookie settings. If you wish to enable or disable a certain type of cookie, you need to check or uncheck the relevant category in the cookie settings and the click ‘save my choice’.
Only the essential cookies cannot be disabled; these cookies are used to enable the website and any related online services to function. The data collected via these essential cookies is always anonymous.

Via the browser
You can also manage the installation of cookies via your browser settings. Cookies already installed on your device can be removed at any time. How you adjust these settings differs per browser. The links below will direct you to the manual for the most used browsers.

Can this cookie policy change?

This cookie policy may be modified if our services or the applicable legislation so require. In case of important changes, this will be clearly communicated. We will also ask for your permission if required.

8. What are my rights?

You can exercise a number of rights regarding your personal data with regard to Valumat, insofar as you have those rights under applicable law.

You can exercise these rights via privacy@Valumat.be, accompanied by proof of your identity. Valumat will respond to such requests and may or may not comply with such requests in accordance with applicable law and in principle within a period of one month, also in accordance with applicable law.

You can also address or submit a complaint to the Data protection authority (Belgian Privacy Committee).

Right to object

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your specific situation, to the processing of your personal data that is based on Valumat's legitimate interest, and to object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing.

Right of access and inspection

You have the right to inspect your personal data and to obtain a copy of this personal data. You also have the right to certain information regarding the processing of your personal data, including the purposes of this processing, the categories of personal data, the categories of recipients, etc.

Right to improvement

You have the right to have incorrect personal data corrected or to supplement personal data. In the first instance, you can change your data yourself in your profile.

Right of erasure

You have the right to have your personal data deleted if and to the extent:

  1. your personal data is no longer necessary for the purposes;
  2. (there is no longer a legal basis for processing;
  3. you object to processing and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for processing by Valumat;
  4. your personal data has been processed unlawfully; or
  5. your personal data must be deleted in order to comply with a legal obligation placed on Valumat.

Right to restriction of processing

You have the right to have the processing of your personal data restricted by Valumat if and to the extent:

  1. you dispute the accuracy of the personal data, for a period that enables Valumat to verify its accuracy;
  2. the processing is unlawful and you oppose the deletion of the personal data and instead request the restriction of its use;
  3. Valumat no longer needs the personal data for the purposes, but you need it for a legal claim;
  4. you have objected to processing, pending the answer to the question as to whether Valumat's legitimate grounds outweigh those of the User or Visitor.

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your specific situation, to the processing of your personal data that is based on Valumat's legitimate interest, and to object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing.

In the event of restriction of processing, the data may still be stored by Valumat.

Right to data portability

For the personal data that (i) are processed in the context of the execution of the agreement, (ii) were provided by yourself and (iii) are processed via an automated proces, you have the right to obtain it from Valumat in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable form, as well as to transfer that data to a similar supplier or have it transferred directly, if this is technically possible.

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