What Are Cookies?
In English, the word “cookie” means a small biscuit, but in web browsing a cookie is something quite different. When you visit our Website, a small text file—called a cookie—is stored in your browser. This text contains various information about your browsing, habits, preferences, content customisation, and so on.
Other technologies work in a similar way and are also used to collect data about your browsing activity. In this document we refer to all such technologies as “cookies.”
The specific uses we make of these technologies are described below.
Why Are Cookies Used on This Website?
Cookies are an essential part of how the Website works. Their main purpose is to enhance your browsing experience—for example, by remembering your preferences (language, country, etc.) during the current visit and on future visits. The information collected by cookies also helps us improve the site, adapt it to your interests, speed up searches, and more.
In certain cases, and only with your prior informed consent, we may use cookies for additional purposes—such as displaying advertising based on an analysis of your browsing habits.
What Are Cookies Not Used For Here?
We do not store sensitive personal-identification information in the cookies we use (such as your name, address or password).
Who Uses the Information Stored in Cookies?
The information stored in cookies on our Website is used exclusively by us, except for those identified below as “third-party cookies,” which are used and managed by external entities providing services that improve the user experience—for example, statistics on visitor numbers and the most-viewed content.
How Can You Avoid the Use of Cookies on This Website?
If you prefer to avoid cookies, you can REJECT their use entirely or CONFIGURE which ones you wish to block or allow. (Below, we give full details of each cookie type, its purpose, recipient, duration, etc.)
Once accepted, we will not ask you again unless you delete the cookies from your device as explained in the next section. To withdraw consent you will need to delete the cookies and configure your preferences again.
How Do I Disable or Delete Cookies?
You can restrict, block or delete cookies from this Website (and those used by third parties) at any time by changing your browser settings. Each browser has a different configuration process:
- Firefox
- Google Chrome
- Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
What Types of Cookies Are Used on This Website?
Every website uses its own cookies. On ours we use the following:
ACCORDING TO THE ENTITY THAT MANAGES THEM
- First-party cookies:
Sent to the user’s device from a server or domain managed by the publisher itself, providing the requested service. - Third-party cookies:
Sent to the user’s device from a server or domain that is not managed by the publisher but by another entity that processes the data obtained through the cookies. If cookies are served from a domain managed by the publisher yet the information is handled by a third party for its own purposes (e.g., improving its services or providing advertising), they are considered third-party cookies.
ACCORDING TO THEIR PURPOSE
- Technical cookies:
Necessary for browsing and the proper functioning of the Website—for example, controlling traffic and data communication, identifying sessions, accessing restricted areas, processing event registrations, counting visits for software-licence billing, using security elements, storing content for video or audio playback, or enabling dynamic content (e.g., loading animations). - Analytics cookies:
Allow us to quantify the number of users and thus measure and analyse how they use the Website. - Preference or personalisation cookies:
Remember information so that the user can access the service with specific characteristics that may differentiate their experience from other users—such as language, the number of results displayed in a search, or the appearance of content depending on browser type or region.
ACCORDING TO THEIR DURATION
- Session cookies:
Designed to collect and store data while the user accesses a web page. They are typically used to store information needed only for the service requested in a single session (e.g., a list of purchased products) and disappear when the session ends. - Persistent cookies:
Data remain stored on the device and can be accessed and processed for a period set by the cookie’s controller, which may range from a few minutes to several years. Persistent cookies should be used sparingly; privacy risks can often be reduced with session cookies. Whenever persistent cookies are installed, their duration should be limited to what is strictly necessary for their purpose. According to WP29 Opinion 4/2012, for a cookie to be exempt from informed-consent requirements, its expiry must be related to its purpose. Session cookies are therefore more likely to be exempt than persistent ones.