This privacy policy sets out how Surface Measurement Systems use and protect any information that you give Surface Measurement Systems, in accordance with data protection law and specifically the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This policy is employed across our global operations.

The term Surface Measurement Systems or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the organization collecting data and the owner of the website whose registered office is Unit 5 Wharfside, Rosemont Road, Alperton, London, HA0 4PE. Our company registration number is 2448058. The term ‘you’ refers to the individuals whom we collect data from or the user/viewer of our website. ‘Personal information’ refers to information that could identify you as an individual, any unique-to-you data, your personal/unique contact details, private or professional.

Surface Measurement Systems is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

Surface Measurement Systems may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. Should we need to make changes, we will inform you of the change that has been made.

What we collect
We may collect the following information:

• name and job title
• contact information including business email address or personal email address (if and only supplied
• by you and with your permission to collect the information)
• demographic information such as professional affiliation, business address, postcode, business telephone numbers, preferences, and interests

When do we collect information?

We collect information from you when you register on our site, subscribe to a newsletter, respond to a survey, fill out a form, Open a Support Ticket, or enter information on our site.

What we do with the information we gather
We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, in particular for the following reasons:

• We may use the information to improve our products and services
• We may periodically send emails about scientific publications, new products, application notes and case studies, scientific events, or other information which we think you may find interesting and according to your preference using the email address which you have provided.
• If you are a customer, from time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for customer satisfaction survey purposes. We may contact you by email, phone or mail.
• We may also use the information to customize the website according to your interests.
• The information is stored in a centralized system in our headquarters in the United Kingdom and only authorized personnel have access to it. This is controlled and managed through a CRM system also hosted in the United Kingdom.

The GDPR Seven Principles for Data Processing

Surface Measurement Systems will reflect and enforce the GDPR’s Seven Principles of Data Processing in all handling of Personal Information. For your reference, these principles are:

Article 5(1) requires that personal data shall be:  

(a) processed lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner in relation to individuals (‘lawfulness, fairness, and transparency’);

(b) collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes shall not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes (‘purpose limitation’);

(c) adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed (‘data minimization’);

(d) accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay (‘accuracy’);

(e) kept in a form that permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes subject to the implementation of the appropriate technical and organizational measures required by the GDPR in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals (‘storage limitation’);

(f) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organizational measures (‘integrity and confidentiality’).”

Article 5(2) adds that:

“The controller shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate compliance with, paragraph 1 (‘accountability’).”

What are your Data Rights under GDPR

Under GDPR, those we hold personal information for have 8 Data Subject Rights which Surface Measurements Systems are committed to ensuring:

1. The right to be informed

Organizations need to tell individuals what data is being collected, how it’s being used, how long it will be kept, and whether it will be shared with any third parties. This information must be communicated concisely and in plain language.

2. The right of access

Individuals can submit subject access requests, which oblige organizations to provide a copy of any personal data they hold concerning the individual.

Organizations have one month to produce this information, although there are exceptions for requests that are manifestly unfounded, repetitive or excessive.

3. The right to rectification

If an individual discovers that the information an organization holds on them is inaccurate or incomplete, they can request that it be updated. As with the right of access, organizations have one month to do this, and the same exceptions apply.

4. The right to erasure

Individuals can request that organizations erase their data in certain circumstances – for example when the data is no longer necessary, the data was unlawfully processed, or it no longer meets the lawful ground for which it was collected.

This includes instances where the individual withdraws consent.

The right to erasure is also known as ‘the right to be forgotten’.

5. The right to restrict processing

Individuals can request that an organization limits the way it uses personal data.

It’s an alternative to requesting the erasure of data and might be used when an individual contests the accuracy of their personal data.

An individual can also exercise this right when they no longer use the product or service for which it was originally collected, but the organization needs it to establish, exercise or defend a legal claim.

6. The right to data portability

Individuals are permitted to obtain and reuse their personal data for their own purposes across different services. This right only applies to personal data that an individual has provided to data controllers by way of a contract or consent.

7. The right to object

Individuals can object to the processing of personal data that is collected on the grounds of legitimate interests or the performance of a task in the interest/exercise of official authority.

Organizations must stop processing information unless they can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing that overrides the interests, rights, and freedoms of the individual.

They can also refuse this right if the processing is for the establishment or exercise of defense of legal claims.

8. Rights related to automated decision making including profiling

The GDPR includes provisions for decisions made with no human involvement, such as profiling, which uses personal data to make calculated assumptions about individuals.

There are strict rules about this kind of processing, and individuals are permitted to challenge and request a review of the processing if they believe the rules aren’t being followed.

Security
We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect.

Controlling your personal information
You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

• whenever you are asked to fill in a form you will be informed of any information being collected, making you aware of what will be stored and giving you the opportunity to not submit the information.
• if you have previously agreed to us to use your personal information for communication, you may change your mind at any time by emailing us at [email protected], writing to the postal address provided earlier, or amending your subscription settings by using the link offered in all our marketing emails.

Channel Partners
Surface Measurement Systems partners with Channel distributors in many countries around the world. Certain data information may be given to our registered partners to ensure we provide unparalleled service.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We will not use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties.

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by the EU. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please email us at [email protected], or write to us at Surface Measurement Systems Ltd. Unit 5 Wharfside Rosemont Road, Alperton, London, HA0 4PE, United Kingdom. Please allow us one (1) month from the date of receipt to provide the information.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

Website

Cookies and web analytics
Our website uses “cookies” (text files saved on your computer) to track and monitor page traffic and user interaction history. This is done both to monitor website traffic and to record advertisement performance and session information. You can consent to these cookies using the Privacy Bar that appears on first entry to our website. The cookies employed on our site do not capture personal information, and any information gathered on your visit is protected, stored securely on Pantheon web host servers, and only used for website reporting purposes. Our website also uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses cookies to help the website analyze how you use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. If this website anonymizes IP addresses, your IP address will be truncated by Google within an EU member state or other EEA state before being transmitted to the US. Only in exceptional situations will your full IP address be transmitted to Google servers in the United States and truncated there. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however, please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above. You can also prevent Google from collecting information (including your IP address) via cookies and processing this information by downloading this browser plugin and installing it: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Further information concerning the terms and conditions of use and data privacy can be found in the Google Analytics Terms of Service or at the Google Analytics Privacy Overview. Please note that on this website, Google Analytics is supplemented by “gat._anonymizeIp();” to ensure anonymized collection of IP addresses (IP masking).

Links to other websites
Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we are not responsible for the protection and privacy of any information, which you provide whilst visiting such sites, and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Browsing the websites
If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Surface Measurement Systems Ltd’s relationship with you in relation to this website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

• The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
• This website uses web analytics and uses cookies, as detailed earlier in this policy.
• Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. We recommend that you take further advice or seek further guidance before taking any action based on the information contained on this website.
• Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
• All materials contained in this website are protected by intellectual property rights, including trademarks and copyright, and either belong to us or are licensed to us to use. Materials include, but are not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance, graphics, images, videos, and documents on the website, as well as other content such as articles, stories, specifications, guidance notes, details of our products, regulatory information, company profiles, and other text.
• All trademarks reproduced in this website that are not the property of, or licensed to, the operator is acknowledged on the website.
• We do not guarantee that this website will be compatible with all or any hardware and software which you may use. We do not guarantee that this website will be available all the time or at any specific time. We reserve the right to withdraw or modify this website at any time.
• We are only liable to you for losses that you suffer as a result of a breach of these terms and conditions by us. We are not responsible to you for any losses which you may incur which were not a foreseeable consequence of us breaching these terms and conditions, for example, if you and we could not have contemplated those losses before or when you access this website. Our liability to you shall not in any circumstances include any business losses that you may incur, including but not limited to lost data, lost profits, or business interruption.
• From time to time this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
• Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Third-party disclosure

• We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your Personally Identifiable Information.
• We do not include or offer third-party products or services on our website.

Contact information

If you have any queries about our Privacy Policy or any data we hold for you, please contact John Dowd at [email protected].

Last updated: 15 December 2021.