Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Privacy Policy

Version 10 / 2002, 12/09/2002
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (the “Company” or “METTLER TOLEDO”) operates an Internet site (the “Site”) intended for business, professional and academic visitors and their organizations (the Site visitor and his or her organization hereinafter referred to, collectively, as the “User”). Portions of this Site are available to all Users; access to certain portions is restricted to Users who register or otherwise qualify for such access. This Site is not intended for general public consumers.
The individual using this Site acknowledges and agrees that he or she is doing so in a business, professional, or academic capacity, and that the individual and the business, professional, or academic organization on whose behalf the individual is using this Site are subject to the Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Terms and Conditions of Use (the "Terms and Conditions"), and accept them in full, as they may be modified by METTLER TOLEDO from time-to-time and posted on this Site. The terms “you,” “visitor”, or “User” refer to both the individual visitor to the Site and his or her organization.

This Privacy Policy (the “Policy”) describes the type of information that the Company collects from Users, what the Company does with this information, and how Users can update and control the use of information provided by using the Site. The Terms and Conditions incorporate this Policy by reference. This Policy may change from time to time, so Users are advised to check it frequently.
By visiting the Site, Users accept and consent to the practices described in this Policy.
1. Personal Information Gathered by the Company
The information that the Company receives from and about Users helps it to personalize and continually improve the Site and services provided on or through the Site. Users acknowledge and agree that the Company owns all information collected on or through the Site.

Types of information gathered by the Company include:
Information Users Give the Company
The Company receives and stores any information that Users enter on the Site or send to the Company in any other way. Examples of information collected by the Company include: information provided by Users when they search, contribute submissions, buy, post, participate in a forum, or questionnaire, or communicate with customer service. For example, Users provide information when they search for information or for a product; make an order; provide personal or company information to establish a account; communicate with the Company by phone, e-mail, or otherwise; complete a questionnaire; and participate in discussion boards.
As a result of those actions, Users might supply the Company with information such as the User’s name, address, phone number and other contact information; the User’s e-mail; the User’s profession and interests related thereto; the User’s employer; the User’s professional licensing information and credentials; fulfillment of continuing education requirements; credit card information; e-mail addresses that User wishes to send a greeting card to; fields of interest; people to whom purchases have been shipped, including address and phone number; the content of e-mails to the Company; and financial and personal information, including identifying account numbers.
A User can choose not to provide certain information, but then the Company might not allow the User to take advantage of many of the Site’s features. The Company uses the information provided by Users for purposes such as responding to Users’ requests, customizing the Site, improving the Site’s services and products, and communicating with Users.

Users should be aware that when they voluntarily disclose personally identifiable information on the Interactive Areas of the Site, such as the website’s guestbook, information disclosed by the Users can be collected and used by third parties and may result in unsolicited messages from third parties. Such activities are beyond the Company’s control and the Company is not responsible for such activities or the discoverability of any User’s identity.
Automatic Information
The Company receives and stores certain types of information whenever Users interact with the Company and the Site. For example, the Site uses "cookies" and/or comparable technologies, and the Company obtains certain types of information when a Web browser accesses the Site. Examples of the information that the Company collects and analyzes include the Internet protocol (“IP”) address used to connect Users’ computers to the Internet; e-mail addresses; computer and connection information such as browser types and versions, operating systems, and platforms; the full Uniform Resource Locators (“URL”) clickstream to, through, and from the Site, including dates and times; cookie numbers; and products and services viewed or searched for. It is not possible for a User to delete all traces of his or her activity on the Site, including any messages posted to Interactive Areas of the Site. A number of companies offer utilities designed to help users visit Web sites anonymously.
Although the Company may not be able to provide Users with a personalized experience at the Site if the Site cannot identify them, it does not prohibit Users from using these tools.
Cookies and Comparable Technologies
Cookies are alphanumeric identifiers that the Company transfers to Users’ computer hard drives through their Web browsers to enable the Company’s systems to recognize Users’ browsers. Cookies allow Users to take full advantage of some of the Site’s features. New information technologies are always being developed and the Company may use such technologies for information collection purposes. Use of these new technologies is contemplated by and consistent with the terms of this Policy.
E-mail Communications
To assist the Company, the Company may receive a confirmation when a User opens e-mail from the Company if the User’s computer supports such capabilities. The Company may also compare the Company’s customer list to lists received from other companies, and use such other lists to supplement the Company’s own information.
Information from Other Sources
To improve, enhance, or expand the Site and services offered on or through the Site, (for example, providing better information and products or special offers), the Company might receive information about Users and/or their organizations from other sources and add it to the Company’s account information. The Company also sometimes receives updated delivery and address information from its shippers or other sources so that the Company can correct its records and deliver purchases and communications more easily. The Company may also receive reports from parties that provide information received from or about Users of the Site or potential users of the Site. The Company may collect information on or through the Site directly, or it may rely on agents or independent contractors to collect and/or analyze such information.
2. The Company’s Sharing of Information
Information about Users is an important part of the Company’s business. The Company shares customer information with its affiliates and with non-related distributors as described below. Additionally, the Company may sell information it has compiled to third parties.
Business Partners that the Company Does Not Control
The Company works closely with other businesses, which include the Company’s business partners such as distributors, suppliers and service providers. In some cases, these businesses sell offerings to Users on the Site or offer products and services on the Site. In other cases, the Company provides services or sells products jointly with these businesses. The Company may share customer information with these businesses. In addition, the Company may provide third parties with aggregate statistics and non-identifying information about Users, trends, transactions, or other activities.
Users acknowledge and agree that in instances where any information considered to be confidential is made available through public disclosure or otherwise, the Company will not be liable for any claim arising from or in connection with the disclosure of such information. Other companies that advertise or link on the Site may use cookies or collect other information about Users when Users go to their site. The Company does not control the collection or use of information by these companies. Users should contact these companies directly if they have any questions about the collection or use of information about them.
Agents or Contractors
The Company and its affiliates may employ other companies and individuals to perform functions on the Company’s behalf, including with respect to User information. Examples include providing services, providing or collecting information, fulfilling orders, delivering packages, sending postal mail and e-mail, removing repetitive information from customer lists, analyzing data, providing marketing assistance, processing payments, and providing customer service.
Promotional Offers
The Company may send offers to selected groups of Users on its own behalf and on behalf of other businesses.
Business Transfers
As the Company continues to develop its business and the Site, the Company might sell or buy other companies or assets. In such transactions, customer information generally is one of the transferred business assets. Also, in the event that substantially all of the Company’s stock or assets were acquired, User information would, of course, be one of the transferred assets.
Protection of the Company and Others
We may exchange information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection and credit risk reduction. In addition, we can release account and other personal information when we have a good faith belief that the release is appropriate to comply with law; enforce or apply our Terms and Conditions, or agreements; protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company; or protect the rights, property, or safety of the Site, Users, or others.
With Users' Consent
Users have the opportunity not to disclose personal information on the Site. When personal information is provided the User consents to the Company's use of the information as provided in this Policy.
3. Security of Information About Users
The Company works to protect the security of certain Users’ information during transmission by using Secure Sockets Layer (“SSL”) software, which encrypts certain information input by Users.

The Company will protect credit card and/or other account information when confirming orders. Of course, the Company may transmit the entire credit card and/or account number to the appropriate credit card or financial institution company during order processing.

It is important for Users to protect against unauthorized access to passwords and to computers. Users should be sure to sign off when they are finished using a shared computer.
4. Information that Users Can Access
The Company gives Users access to information about their accounts for the limited purpose of viewing and, in certain cases, updating that information. This includes viewing and updating information about your personal data, personalization preferences, and any subscriptions or communities.
5. Choice
Users may choose not to provide information, though that might prevent the User from making a purchase or taking advantage of some Site features.

Users can add or update certain account information as described in Section 4 above. When Users update information, the Company usually keeps a copy of prior versions of the account information for its records.

The "help" portion of the toolbar on most browsers describes how to prevent the browser from accepting new cookies, how to have the browser notify Users when a new cookie is received, or how to disable cookies altogether. If a User does not use cookies, some features of the Site may become unavailable.

6. Children
The Site, and the products, services and information on the site, are not intended for children. If a User is under 16, the User should not use the Site.
7. Conditions of Use, Notices, and Revisions
If Users choose to visit the Site, the visit and any dispute over privacy is subject to this Policy and the Terms and Conditions, including limitations on damages, arbitration of disputes, and application of the law of Switzerland without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions. If a User has any concern about privacy at the Site, please send a thorough description to webmaster@mt.com. The Site and the Company’s business change constantly. This Policy and the Terms and Conditions will change also, and use of information that the Company gathers now is subject to the Policy in effect at the time of use. Users should check the Site frequently to see recent changes.
8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR EUROPEAN MEMBERS AND USERS.
IF A USER IS AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE USER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE COMPANY MAY COLLECT, USE, DISCLOSE, AND TRANSFER THE USER’S PERSONAL DATA AS DESCRIBED IN THIS POLICY, OR ANY AMENDMENTS HERETO. THE USER FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT THE COMPANY MAY TRANSFER THE USER’S PERSONAL DATA OUTSIDE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, INCLUDING TO THE UNITED STATES, FOR PURPOSES CONSISTENT WITH THIS POLICY. THE USER MAY ONLY USE THE SITE IF THE USER CONSENTS TO THE TERMS OF THIS POLICY. THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT BEEN DEEMED TO PROVIDE “ADEQUATE” DATA PROTECTIONS COMPARABLE TO THOSE MANDATED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.

(Version 10/2002)

©2003 Mettler-Toledo, Inc.,Terms and Conditions