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Privacy Statement

Last Updated: 25.03.2025

Environmental Certification Organisation (ECO) respects your right to privacy. This Privacy Statement explains who we are, how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information, and how you can exercise your rights regarding your personal data.

If you have any questions or concerns about our use of your personal information, please contact us at info@environmentalcertificationorganisation.com.

About ECO

ECO is a global, not-for-profit organisation headquartered in South Africa. The organisation develops, publishes, and maintains certification standards related to the illegal wildlife trade, aligning with the commitments outlined in the Buckingham Palace Declaration. For more information about ECO, please visit the "About Us" section of our website.

Collection & Use of Personal Information

ECO collects personal information that you provide voluntarily when you interact with us. This may include when you subscribe to our newsletters or updates, contact us with inquiries, or engage with our services and certification processes. The information collected typically includes your name, email address, phone number, and other relevant details. This data is used to keep you informed about our initiatives, research, events, and updates related to our mission.

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information from your device, including your IP address, geographic location (such as city or country), device type, browser type, and operating system. We also track website usage patterns, including pages visited and links clicked, to improve the website experience and ensure security. Some of this data is collected using cookies and similar tracking technologies, which are further explained in our Cookie Policy.

ECO may also receive personal information from third-party sources such as reCAPTCHA, owned by Google, to prevent spam and abuse, and email marketing services like MailChimp to manage communications. Additionally, if you engage with our content on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, we may collect information in accordance with those platforms’ privacy policies and your privacy settings.

How ECO uses your Personal Information

ECO processes your personal data to provide and improve our services and website functionality, to communicate with you about our initiatives, reports, and events, and to ensure the security of our website by preventing fraudulent activities. The organisation also processes personal data to comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements.

Sharing of Personal Information

ECO shares personal information only when necessary. Information may be shared with trusted service providers who support our website and communications, regulatory authorities when required by law, or other parties when you have provided explicit consent. ECO does not sell or rent your personal data to third parties.

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

ECO processes personal data based on legitimate interests, which include operating the website, communicating with users, and improving services. Personal data may also be processed with your consent, such as for marketing communications, or when required to comply with legal and regulatory obligations. When relying on legitimate interests, ECO ensures that data processing does not override your privacy

Data Protection & Security

ECO employs appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. These measures include encryption, access controls, and secure data storage practices.

International Data Transfers

As a global organisation, ECO may transfer personal data to countries outside your jurisdiction. These transfers comply with South African data protection laws as well as international safeguards, including the use of standard contractual clauses where necessary.

Data Retention

ECO retains personal data only as long as necessary to fulfil operational, legal, and regulatory obligations. Once the information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised. If data is stored in backup archives, it is securely protected and isolated from further processing until deletion is possible.

Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the right to access, correct, update, or request deletion of your personal information. You may also object to or restrict data processing, withdraw consent for marketing communications, and request data portability. To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@environmentalcertificationorganisation.com.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

ECO uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. More details can be found in our Cookie Policy.

Updates to this Privacy Statement

ECO may update this Privacy Statement periodically to reflect changes in legal, technical, or operational requirements. Any updates will be posted on our website with the revised "Last Updated" date.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Statement or your personal data, please contact us at:
Email: info@environmentalcertificationorganisation.com

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ECO is committed to setting the standard for environmental excellence, ensuring a sustainable future for businesses and communities alike. Through rigorous certification and assessment, we drive meaningful change, helping industries reduce their impact and operate responsibly.

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