Data Privacy Framework - Messer Cutting Systems

Messer Cutting Systems, Inc. (together “Messer CS,” “we,” “our,” and “us”) complies with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy program Framework (EU-U.S. DPF) and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy program Framework (Swiss-U.S. DPF) as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Messer-CS has certified to the U.S. Department of Commerce that it adheres to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program Principles (EU-U.S. DPF Principles) with regard to the processing of personal data received from the European Union in reliance on the EU-U.S. DPF. Messer CS has certified to the U.S. Department of Commerce that it adheres to the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program Principles (Swiss-U.S. DPF Principles) with regard to the processing of personal data received from Switzerland in reliance on the Swiss-U.S. DPF. If there is any conflict between the terms in this privacy policy and the EU-U.S. DPF Principles and/or the Swiss-U.S. DPF Principles, the Principles shall govern. To learn more about the Data Privacy Framework (DPF) program, and to view our certification, please visit https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/.

With respect to personal data received or transferred pursuant to the Privacy Frameworks, Messer CS is subject to the regulatory and enforcement powers of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

“Data Subject” means the individual to whom any given Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy refers.

“Personal Data” means any information relating to an individual residing in the European Union, UK, and Switzerland that can be used to identify that individual either on its own or in combination with other readily available data.

“Sensitive Personal Data” means Personal Data regarding an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade-union membership, physical or mental health, or sexual life.

To see what data we collect and how we use that data please see our privacy policy (Link Here)

Scope and Responsibility

This Privacy Policy applies to Personal Data pertaining to customers of Messer CS transferred from European Union member countries, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland to Messer CS’s operations in the U.S. in reliance on the respective Privacy framework and does not apply to Personal Data transferred under Standard Contractual Clauses or any approved derogation from the EU Directive.

All employees of Messer CS that have access in the U.S. to non-HR, customer Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy are responsible for conducting themselves in accordance with this Privacy Policy. Adherence by Messer CS to this Privacy Policy may be limited to the extent required to meet legal, regulatory, governmental, or national security obligations, but Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy shall not be collected, used, or disclosed in a manner contrary to this policy
without the prior written permission of Messer CS’s Chief Privacy Officer.

Messer CS employees responsible for engaging third parties to which Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy will be transferred are responsible for obtaining appropriate assurances that such third parties have an obligation to conduct themselves in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Privacy Principles, including any applicable contractual assurances required by Privacy Policy.

Privacy Principles

Messer CS notifies Data Subjects covered by this Privacy Policy about its data practices regarding Personal Data received by Messer CS in the U.S. from European Union member countries, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland in reliance on the respective Privacy framework, including the types of Personal Data it collects about them, the purposes for which it collects and uses such Personal Data, the types of third parties to which it discloses such Personal Data and the purposes for which it does so, the rights of Data Subjects to access their Personal Data, the choices, and means that Messer CS offers for limiting its use and disclosure of such Personal Data, how Messer CS’s obligations under the Data Policy Framework are enforced, and how Data Subjects can contact Messer CS with any inquiries or complaints.

If Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy is to be used for a new purpose that is materially different from that for which the Personal Data was originally collected or subsequently authorized or is to be disclosed to a non-agent third party, Messer CS will provide Data Subjects with an opportunity to choose whether to have their Personal Data so used or disclosed. Requests to opt-out of such uses or disclosures of Personal Data should be sent to: legal.us@messer-cutting.com.

If Sensitive Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy is to be used for a new purpose that is different from that for which the Personal Data was originally collected or subsequently authorized or is to be disclosed to a third party, Messer CS will obtain the Data Subject’s explicit consent prior to such use or disclosure.

3. Accountability for Onward Transfer

In the event we transfer Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy to a third party (e.g., in connection with a potential business transaction such as a sale, merger, or reorganization) acting as a controller, we will do so consistent with any notice provided to Data Subjects and any consent they have given, and only if the third party has given us contractual assurances that it will (i) process the Personal Data for limited and specified purposes consistent with any consent provided by the Data Subjects, (ii) provide at least the same level of protection as is required by the Privacy Principles and notify us if it makes a determination that it cannot do so; and (iii) cease processing of the Personal Data or take other reasonable and appropriate steps to remediate if it makes such a determination. If Messer CS has knowledge that a third party acting as a controller is processing Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy in a way that is contrary to the Privacy Principles, Messer CS will take reasonable steps to prevent or stop such processing.

With respect to our agents, we will transfer only the Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy needed for an agent to deliver to Messer CS the requested product or service. Furthermore, we will (i) permit the agent to process such Personal Data only for limited and specified purposes; (ii) require the agent to provide at least the same level of privacy protection as is required by the Privacy Principles; (iii) take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure that the agent effectively processes the Personal Data transferred in a manner consistent with Messer CS’s obligations under the Privacy Principles; and (iv) require the agent to notify Messer CS if it makes a determination that it can no longer meet its obligation to provide the same level of protection as is required by the Privacy Principles. Upon receiving notice from an agent that it can no longer meet its obligation to provide the same level of protection as is required by the Privacy Principles, we will take reasonable and appropriate steps to stop and remediate unauthorized processing.

To see the types of third parties we disclose data to please see our privacy policy. (Link Here)

In certain situations, we may be required to disclose personal data in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.

Messer CS’s accountability for personal data that it receives in the United States under the Privacy Policy and subsequently transfers to a third party is described in the Privacy Principles. In particular, Messer CS remains responsible and liable under the Privacy Principles if third-party agents that it engages to process personal data on its behalf do so in a manner inconsistent with the Principles unless Messer CS proves that it is not responsible for the event giving rise to the damage.

Messer CS takes reasonable and appropriate measures to protect Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction, taking into due account the risks involved in the processing and the nature of the Personal Data.

5. Data Integrity and Purpose Limitation

Messer CS limits the collection of Personal Data covered by this Privacy Policy to information that is relevant for the purposes of processing. Messer CS does not process such Personal Data in a way that is incompatible with the purposes for which it has been collected or subsequently authorized by the Data Subject.

Messer CS takes reasonable steps to ensure that such Personal Data is reliable for its intended use, accurate, complete, and current. Messer CS takes reasonable and appropriate measures to comply with the requirement under the Privacy Policy to retain Personal Data in identifiable form only for as long as it serves a purpose of processing, which includes Messer CS’s obligations to comply with professional standards, Messer CS’s business purposes and unless a longer retention period is permitted by law, and it adheres to the Privacy Principles for as long as it retains such Personal Data.

Pursuant to the Privacy Frameworks, EU, UK, and Swiss individuals have the right to obtain our confirmation of whether we maintain personal information relating to you in the United States. Upon request, we will provide you with access to the personal information that we hold about you. You may also correct, amend, or delete the personal information we hold about you. An individual who seeks access, or who seeks to correct, amend, or delete inaccurate data transferred to the United States under Privacy Policy, should direct their query to legal.us@messer-cutting.com. If requested to remove data, we will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

7. Recourse, Enforcement, and Liability

In compliance with the EU-US Data Privacy Framework Principles, Messer CS commits to resolve complaints about your privacy and our collection or use of your personal information transferred to the United States pursuant to the DPF Principles. European Union and Swiss individuals with DPF inquiries or complaints should first contact legal.us@messer-cutting.com

Messer CS has further committed to refer unresolved privacy complaints under the DPF Principles to an independent dispute resolution mechanism, Data Privacy Framework Services, operated by BBB National Programs. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint, or if your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed, please visit https://bbbprograms.org/programs/all-programs/dpf-consumers/ProcessForConsumers for more information and to file a complaint. This service is provided free of charge to you.

If your DPF complaint cannot be resolved through the above channels, under certain conditions, you may invoke binding arbitration for some residual claims not resolved by other redress mechanisms. See https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/article/G-Arbitration-Procedures-dpf?tabset-35584=2

Messer CS agrees to periodically review and verify its compliance with the Privacy Principles and to remedy any issues arising out of failure to comply with the Privacy Principles. Messer CS acknowledges that its failure to provide an annual self-certification to the U.S. Department of Commerce will remove it from the Department’s list of Privacy participants.

8. Changes to this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be amended from time to time consistent with the requirements of the Data Privacy Framework. Appropriate notice regarding such amendments will be given.

9. How may you contact us?

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or if you believe that your personal information is not handled in accordance with applicable law or this Privacy Policy, you may contact the Messer CS Legal Department at legal.us@messer-cutting.com or W141 N9427 Fountain Boulevard, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 53051.