EMA
Data Privacy Policy

Introduction

At EMA we recognize the importance of securing and protecting all data and the privacy of certain basic personally identifiable data, such as contact information, demographic information and payment processing information. We do not collect data from individuals unless provided to us voluntarily and knowingly and with access to update and change the data at will. We have adopted this Data Privacy Policy to guide how we and our affiliates (i.e. account holders, members, vendors, staff, chapter leadership) use such information. This policy meets the requirements of GDPR.

Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to balance our legitimate business requirements in collecting and using information with the reasonable expectation of privacy and security which may be held by those providing such information.

Data Collection

It is necessary for us to collect and store information to provide requested member and customer communication and related services and for billing purposes. Many state and federal laws require the collection and retention of some or all of such information for a determinate period of time. At EMA we collect data via four methods: membership registration, event activities, vendor partnerships, and purchases.

Membership and Account Holder Information

We collect key information from our members to provide valuable member services and for operational effectiveness. Members provide data directly when filling out applications and can update preferences via the web portal. We collect additional data upon engagement with our website using cookie based technology.

We specifically collect these types of data:

• Name and contact data. We collect your first and last name, phone number, address, email address, and other related data.
• Demographic data. We collect data about you such as your gender, chapter membership, and country.
• Payment data. We collect data necessary to process your payment if you make purchases (such as a credit card number).
• Credentials. We collect passwords, password hints, and similar security information used for authentication of accounts.
• Session Tracking. At times we record user sessions on our website to identify how we can provide better features and services.

Event Information

At times, EMA receives and collects personal information through informal methods such as business cards, sign up lists, and event registration. In these cases, we only use this information to provide member services and stated purposes outlined upon collection.

Vendor Partnerships

We partner with third-party vendors who provide additional services such as membership management. These partners may maintain member data specific to their provided service. All vendors are vetted to ensure they have proper data privacy and security procedures.

Data Privacy Options

You have choices about the data we collect. When you are asked to provide personal data, you may opt out. However, please note certain contact information is required for EMA membership.

To update your data or change preferences, please email [email protected].

Security

The security of data is very important to us and we are committed to protecting the information we collect. We collect information only in a manner deemed reasonably necessary to serve our legitimate business purposes and comply with our legal obligations. We use commercially reasonable efforts to make our collection of information consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. We exercise care in providing secure transmission and storage of information. Unfortunately, no data transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot warrant that all data we transmit, store and collect will be completely secure. We take commercially reasonable efforts to create and maintain firewalls, restricted access and secure socket layers, and other appropriate safeguards to ensure that, to the extent we control information, it is used only as authorized by us and consistent with this Policy, and that information is not improperly altered or destroyed. Our privacy protection practices help us maintain accurate, timely, complete and relevant information for our business purposes. Our communication system, software and database practices have been designed to aid us in supporting authenticity, integrity and confidentiality.

Data Breach Policy

We want to ensure that your identity and data stays secure; therefore, if an incident does occur, and for incidents that occur at our third-party vendors, we will promptly inform affected individuals as may be required by law or our policies.

Data Use

We may use your information to offer goods and services we believe will be of value to members on behalf of EMA, our affiliates and our partners. We may use contact data to inquire or survey about conference experiences, education opportunities or general membership satisfaction. We may also create and use aggregate information that is not personally identifiable to understand more about the common profiles and interests of our members and website visitors.

Cookies

Our website utilizes “cookie” technology. “Cookies” are encrypted strings of text that a Web site stores on a user’s computer. Our Web site uses cookies throughout the online process to maximize website performance. In addition, cookies are used to:

• Measure usage of various pages on our website to help us make our information more pertinent to your needs and easy for you to access;
• Provide functionality such as online registration and other functionality that we believe would be of interest and value to you; and
• Serve advertisements and business opportunities to users, and allow EMA to serve online advertisements through remarketing and programmatic channels also known as behavioral advertising.

We do not use cookies to gather any personally identifiable information about you apart from what you voluntarily provide us in your dealings with us. Our cookies do not corrupt or damage your computer, programs or computer files.

Upon arrival to www.commissioning.org, a cookie policy notification and acceptance will be presented. Website users may set browser preferences to block cookies (consult browser provider for specific instructions or choose to allow EMA to use cookies on your machine by accepting cookie policy or continuing to use the website.) Disabling cookies will adversely affect your ability to perform certain transactions, use certain functionality, and access certain content on our website.

Compliance with Law

We may disclose Member Information to law enforcement agencies, or may be required to disclose it during the discovery process in litigation, pursuant to a court order, or in compliance with any applicable law, regulation, rule or ordinance.

Affiliated Sites/Links

EMA provides members with various URL links that may be beneficial or of interest to our membership. Many of these sites are owned and operated by independent companies and organizations that are neither owned nor controlled by EMA. Each URL or link may collect information and use such information for its own purposes. EMA does not control the use or access of such information collected by these sites. EMA is not responsible in any manner for damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, advertising, services, products or other material on or available from such sites.

Questions or Comments

Any questions or comments that relate to the EMA Privacy Protection Policy may be directed to us at EMA Headquarters, 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20037, and [email protected].

Copyright and Trademark Notices

All contents of this website are protected by United States and International Copyright and Trademark law. Any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited and may subject a violator to civil and criminal penalties. All rights reserved.

Privacy Protection Policy Changes

In the future, we may need to change this Policy. EMA reserves the right to modify this Data Privacy Policy at any time without prior notice. All changes will be included on this Website so that you will always know what information we gather, how we might use that information and whether we will disclose it to anyone. This Policy was last updated on December 11, 2020.