Cookie Policy

1.1 Cookies

A cookie is a small text file stored on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work efficiently and to provide information to site operators.

Cookies are generally categorised by lifespan (session cookies deleted when you close your browser; persistent cookies remaining for a defined period), by origin (first-party set by wlfenergy.de; third-party set by other domains), and by purpose.

1.2 Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, the Website may use local storage, session storage, pixel tags / web beacons, and software development kits (SDKs). Throughout this Cookie Policy, the term "cookies" includes these similar technologies unless otherwise specified. We do not use fingerprinting for tracking purposes.

Cookie use is governed by German TDDDG § 25 (any storage on your device requires prior consent, unless strictly necessary) and GDPR Article 6 (any subsequent processing of personal data must have a valid lawful basis).

2.1 Strictly Necessary — No Consent Required

Cookies required for the Website to function cannot be switched off. Legal basis: § 25(2)(2) TDDDG and Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in operating the Website).

2.2 All Other Cookies — Consent Required

Legal basis: § 25(1) TDDDG in conjunction with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR. You may withdraw your consent at any time, with effect for the future.

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Essential for the Website to function properly. They enable security, navigation, load balancing, session management, and remembering your cookie preferences.

• Session identifiers maintaining your session as you navigate between pages
• Cookies that store your cookie consent preferences
• Cookies that prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF) and other security risks
• Load balancing and routing request cookies

3.2 Functional Cookies

Enable enhanced functionality and personalisation such as remembering your language preference, region, or form data. If you do not consent, some Website features may be limited.

3.3 Analytics / Performance Cookies

Help us understand how visitors interact with the Website — collecting and reporting information anonymously or pseudonymously.

• Google Analytics — Google Ireland Ltd. / Google LLC, with IP anonymisation enabled.
• Hotjar — Hotjar Ltd. (Malta). Heatmaps, scroll tracking, anonymised session recordings.

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

Used to deliver relevant advertising, measure campaign effectiveness, and recognise you across websites for retargeting purposes.

• Meta Pixel (Facebook) — Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd.
• LinkedIn Insight Tag — LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Co.

The following table is an illustrative overview. For the live, authoritative list, access the cookie management tool via "Cookie Settings" in the Website footer.

Several cookie providers (notably Google, Meta, and LinkedIn) may transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area, principally to the United States. Where such transfers occur, we ensure appropriate safeguards in accordance with Chapter V of the GDPR:

• Adequacy decisions — where the recipient is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework
• Standard Contractual Clauses — adopted by the European Commission under Article 46(2)(c) GDPR
• Supplementary measures — additional technical or contractual measures based on a Transfer Impact Assessment

6.1 Cookie Banner at First Visit

When you first visit the Website, you will see a cookie banner allowing you to accept all cookies, reject all non-essential cookies, or customise your preferences by category. Your choice is stored in a strictly necessary cookie (wlf_consent).

6.2 Updating Your Preferences

Change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking "Cookie Settings" in the footer. Your updated choices take effect immediately. Changes do not retroactively delete data already collected with prior consent.

6.3 Withdrawing Consent

You may withdraw your consent for analytics, functional, and marketing cookies at any time and as easily as you gave it, using the cookie management tool. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of cookie use carried out before withdrawal.

6.4 Browser-Level Controls

Most browsers allow you to view, delete, and block cookies. Browser-specific instructions are available for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

6.5 Do Not Track

Our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals. There is no industry consensus on how DNT signals should be honoured. We rely instead on the affirmative consent mechanism described above, which is consistent with EU law.

Each provider is independently responsible for the cookies it sets. We recommend reviewing their privacy notices for further information.

• Google Analytics — Google Ireland Limited / Google LLC. policies.google.com/privacy
• Meta Pixel — Meta Platforms Ireland Limited. facebook.com/privacy/policy
• LinkedIn Insight — LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company. linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
• Hotjar — Hotjar Limited (Malta). hotjar.com/legal/policies/privacy
• Kinsta Hosting — Kinsta Inc. kinsta.com/legal/privacy-policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, the legal landscape, or our internal practices. The updated Policy will be published on this Website with a revised effective date.

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us: