Privacy policy

Last updated: 13/07/2026

 

1. Introduction

Euro Coop aisbl is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of individuals with whom we interact. We process personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) and applicable data protection legislation.

This Privacy Policy explains how Euro Coop collects, uses, stores and protects personal data in connection with our website, membership activities, Member Area, events, communications and interactions with our members, partners, stakeholders and other individuals.

 

2. Who we are

Euro Coop aisbl, the European Community of Consumer Co-operatives, is an international non-profit association established under Belgian law.

Euro Coop acts as the data controller for the personal data processed as described in this Privacy Policy.

Contact details:

Euro Coop aisbl
Avenue Milcamps, 105 – 1030 Schaerbeek
Belgium

Email: info@eurocoop.coop

If you have any questions regarding the processing of your personal data, you may contact us using the above details

 

3. Personal data we collect and how we use it

3.1 Website visitors

When you visit our website, we may collect certain technical information, such as:

  • IP address;
  • browser type and device information;
  • information about your use of our website;
  • pages visited and interaction with website content.

This information may be processed to ensure the proper functioning, security and improvement of our website.

Where cookies or similar technologies requiring consent are used, we will request your consent through our cookie management tool.

The website uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Tag Manager to analyse website traffic, understand how visitors interact with the website, improve user experience and monitor the performance of the website. Where required by applicable legislation, these technologies are activated only after the user’s consent has been obtained through the website’s cookie management tool. 

The website may embed or integrate third-party services, including Mailchimp subscription forms, Google reCAPTCHA for spam protection and social media content where applicable. These services may process certain technical information in accordance with their own privacy policies.

 

3.2 Members of Euro Coop

When an organisation becomes a member of Euro Coop, we process personal data of individuals representing our member organisations.

This may include:

  • name;
  • job title and role;
  • organisation name;
  • professional contact details;
  • participation in Euro Coop activities, meetings and events;
  • correspondence and interactions with Euro Coop.

We use this information to:

  • manage our relationship with members;
  • provide membership-related services;
  • communicate information relevant to Euro Coop activities;
  • organise meetings, working groups and events;
  • facilitate cooperation and networking among members;
  • maintain accurate membership records.

The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interest in managing and developing our membership activities and, where applicable, the performance of our relationship with members.

 

3.3 Member Area

Euro Coop provides a secure Member Area on its website, accessible only to authorised representatives of its member organisations.

User accounts are created and managed by Euro Coop.

To provide access to the Member Area, we process the following personal data:

  • name;
  • email address;
  • member organisation;
  • role within the organisation.

This information is processed for the purpose of:

  • providing authorised access to documents and information reserved for Euro Coop members;
  • administering user accounts;
  • managing membership-related services;
  • ensuring the secure operation of the Member Area.

The legal basis for this processing is the performance of our membership services and our legitimate interest in providing secure access to resources reserved for our members.

The Member Area contains internal working documents relating to Euro Coop’s activities. Where necessary, these documents may include personal data, such as names, roles or contact details of representatives of member organisations, participants in meetings or other individuals involved in Euro Coop’s activities.

Access to these documents is strictly limited to authorised users.

Users cannot modify their personal information directly through the Member Area. If any personal data needs to be updated or corrected, users should contact Euro Coop at info@eurocoop.coop.

The Member Area does not record user login activity.

User passwords are securely stored using WordPress’ built-in password hashing mechanisms. Passwords are never stored or accessible in plain text. 

The Member Area itself does not intentionally collect additional user activity logs. However, standard server logs, including IP addresses, timestamps and technical request information, may be automatically generated by the hosting infrastructure and security services for security, maintenance and troubleshooting purposes.

Euro Coop implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect the personal data processed within the Member Area.

 

3.4 Stakeholders and other contacts

We may process personal data relating to individuals representing European and national institutions, partner organisations, civil society organisations, businesses, researchers, journalists and other stakeholders.

This information may include:

  • name;
  • organisation;
  • professional position;
  • contact details;
  • correspondence history.

We use this information to:

  • maintain professional relationships;
  • communicate about Euro Coop’s activities, publications, policy positions and events;
  • exchange information relevant to our mission and objectives.

The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interest in maintaining professional relationships and carrying out our activities as a European representative organisation.

 

3.5 Contact forms and requests

When you contact Euro Coop through our website or by email, we may collect the personal data you provide, such as:

  • name;
  • email address;
  • organisation;
  • any information included in your message.

We process this information to respond to your request and manage our correspondence with you.

The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interest in responding to enquiries and maintaining communication records.

Contact form submissions are securely stored in the website database and forwarded to the appropriate Euro Coop email address to enable efficient processing of enquiries and communication records.

 

3.6 Newsletter and communications

Where you subscribe to receive Euro Coop communications, we process your personal data, such as your name and email address, to send you newsletters, publications, policy updates, invitations to events and information about our activities.

The processing of your personal data for these communications is based on your consent.

Euro Coop uses Mailchimp, a third-party email communication platform, to manage and distribute newsletters and institutional communications.

Mailchimp processes your personal data on behalf of Euro Coop as a service provider under appropriate contractual safeguards and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

You may withdraw your consent and unsubscribe from our communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link included in each email or by contacting us at info@eurocoop.coop.

 

3.7 Events and meetings

When you register for or participate in Euro Coop events, we may process personal data such as:

  • name;
  • organisation;
  • professional position;
  • contact details;
  • dietary or accessibility requirements where relevant;
  • information required for security access to venues.

We process this information to organise and manage events, communicate practical information and follow up after events.

During Euro Coop events, photographs or videos may be taken for communication purposes, including publication on our website, social media channels or publications.

Where required, appropriate information or consent will be provided.

 

3.8 Service providers

When individuals representing suppliers or service providers interact with Euro Coop, we may process professional contact details such as:

  • name;
  • organisation;
  • position;
  • contact details;
  • correspondence relating to services provided.

We use this information to manage contractual and professional relationships.

 

4. Sharing of personal data

Euro Coop does not sell personal data.

We may share personal data with trusted third-party service providers that support our activities, such as:

  • website hosting providers;
  • IT service providers;
  • newsletter and communication platforms;
  • event management providers;
  • other technical service providers.

Euro Coop currently uses the following third-party service providers:

  • Hosting provider: OVHcloud
  • Content Delivery Network (CDN) and Security: Cloudflare
  • Website analytics: Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
  • Tag management: Google Tag Manager
  • Newsletter platform: Mailchimp
  • Email and collaboration services: Google Workspace
  • Spam protection: Google reCAPTCHA

These providers process personal data only where necessary to provide services to Euro Coop and under appropriate contractual arrangements in accordance with GDPR requirements.

 

5. Third-party websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including websites of Euro Coop members or partners.

Euro Coop is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites.

 

6. International transfers

Some of our service providers may process personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

Where personal data is transferred outside the EEA, Euro Coop ensures that appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with GDPR requirements.

 

7. Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure its proper functioning and, where applicable, to analyse website usage and improve our services.

A complete and up-to-date list of cookies, including their purpose, category, provider and retention period, is available through the website’s Cookie Consent Platform, where users can manage or withdraw their consent at any time.

 

8. Security of personal data

Euro Coop takes appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

These measures include appropriate access controls, secure systems and procedures designed to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of personal data.

The website is protected using HTTPS (SSL/TLS encryption) to ensure secure communication between users and the website. Regular backups are performed and retained as part of Euro Coop’s maintenance procedures. WordPress core, themes and plugins are regularly updated to maintain security and stability. Access to the website administration is restricted to authorised users through individual user accounts and appropriate authentication measures. Cloudflare security services are also used to enhance the protection and availability of the website.

 

9. Retention of personal data

Euro Coop keeps personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

Retention periods may vary depending on:

  • the nature of the relationship with Euro Coop;
  • legal obligations;
  • organisational requirements;
  • the need to maintain historical records of our activities.

When personal data is no longer required, it will be securely deleted or anonymised.

 

10. Your rights

Under the GDPR, you have the right to:

  • request access to your personal data;
  • request correction of inaccurate data;
  • request deletion of your data where applicable;
  • request restriction of processing;
  • object to certain processing activities;
  • request data portability where applicable;
  • withdraw your consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise your rights, please contact us at:

info@eurocoop.coop

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Autorité de protection des données / Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit).

 

11. Changes to this Privacy Policy

Euro Coop may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our activities, legal requirements or the services we use.

The latest version will always be available on our website with the date of the most recent update.