The Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ) welcomes you to our website. In accordance with Article 13 of the Swiss Federal Constitution and applicable data protection legislation, every person has the right to privacy and protection against the misuse of their personal data. Data protection is important to us, and we comply with the relevant provisions relating to visits to our website.
Personal data is processed only to the extent necessary for the operation of the website and the provision of our content and services. Below, we outline which personal data the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ) collects, how it is used, and whether it is processed by third parties.
1. Server log files
When you access the website aaq.ch, certain access data is collected and stored in server log files. This data includes:
- IP address of the device used to access the site
- URL of the previously visited website (referrer URL)
- Date and time of the request
- Web browser used
- Operating system used
- Transfer protocol used (e.g., HTTP)
This information is automatically transmitted by your browser and is required for technical reasons to ensure the availability and proper functioning of our website.
The website and its content are hosted on servers belonging to METANET AG (Switzerland), located in Switzerland.
2. Use of our own cookies
Our website uses cookies. Cookies are data files stored on your device when you visit a website (e.g., the website of the AAQ). The cookies used on our website are limited to ensuring the proper functioning of the site and its features (e.g., language settings, security). No cookies are used for other purposes, such as analyzing user behavior.
Depending on your browser and its configuration, the following information may be transmitted to us when you visit the website:
- User ID
- Time of first visit
- Time of last visit
- Number of visits
Some cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them. They allow us to recognize your browser the next time you visit our website. Most web browsers provide options to block the acceptance of new cookies or to delete cookies already stored. You can usually find instructions for this in your browser’s help function. Please note, however, that disabling cookies may limit the full functionality of our website.
3. Newsletter
Our electronic newsletter keeps you informed about current topics and events related to the AAQ. To subscribe to the newsletter, you must register by email. For the purpose of sending the newsletter, we collect and store your first and last name as well as your email address until you unsubscribe.
Contacts are managed and emails are sent by the company Picnic Terminal Visuelle Kommunikation in Switzerland, to whom we provide an updated list of newsletter subscribers’ first and last names and email addresses. For the newsletter distribution service, the company CleverReach GmbH & Co. KG in Germany is used. These third-party providers will also delete your data if you unsubscribe from the newsletter.
You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time. Each newsletter email includes an unsubscribe link. You may also revoke your consent to the use of your email address at any time by contacting us using the details provided below (section 5).
4. Contact and/or registration forms
You have the option of contacting us voluntarily through our website or registering for an event using a registration form. If you choose to contact us, we collect the following information from you via the input form:
- First and last name*
- Email address*
- Subject
- Message
To register for an event organized by the AAQ, you will be asked to provide the following information via a registration form. The exact information required may vary slightly depending on the specific event:
- First and last name*
- Institution*
- Function*
- Email address*
- Phone number*
- Spoken languages*
- Language preferences*
- Catering requirements*
- Participation in previous events
- Interest and experience in event topics
* Required fields
We use the data exclusively to process and respond to your enquiry or event registration.
The data is stored internally by the AAQ on its own servers. For certain events, some of your data, such as your name and organization, may appear on the list of participants. This list is shared with all participants of the same event. Email communication related to events is handled using the services of CleverReach GmbH & Co. KG. (see section 3 above).
5. Your rights
You have the right to request information about the personal data we process concerning you. You may also request the correction of your data, the restriction of its processing, or the disclosure of certain personal data for transfer to another entity. In addition, you have the right to request the deletion of your personal data, unless we are legally required or otherwise entitled to retain it under applicable laws and regulations.
If your data is processed with your consent, you may withdraw this consent at any time. This will affect only future processing of your data.
Please contact us by email at datenschutz@aaq.ch.
6. Changes to the privacy policy
As our website evolves or new technologies are introduced, this privacy policy may need to be updated. Any changes will apply from the time they are published. The version published at the time of your visit to the website shall apply.
7. Contacting the responsible parties
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding data protection, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ)
Effingerstrasse 15
P.O. Box
3001 Bern
Phone: +41 31 380 11 50
Email: datenschutz@aaq.ch