Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how BER-CERTIFICATE.com collects, uses, stores and shares personal information when you use our website, request BER quotations, register as a BER assessor, submit quotations or otherwise use our services.

We respect your privacy and aim to handle personal information fairly, securely and transparently in accordance with applicable data protection law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

1. About BER-CERTIFICATE.com

BER-CERTIFICATE.com provides an online platform that enables property owners and other customers to request and compare quotations from BER assessors.

BER assessors using the platform operate independently. BER-CERTIFICATE.com facilitates the connection between customers and assessors but does not itself carry out BER assessments.

2. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you use the website.

When submitting a BER quotation request, information may include your name, email address, telephone number, property location or Eircode, property details and other information you provide in connection with your request.

When registering as a BER assessor, information may include your name, contact information, business or professional details, service area and information required to review or administer your assessor account.

We may also collect technical information relating to use of the website, such as IP address, browser information, device information, cookies and website activity where applicable.

3. Customer BER Quotation Requests

When a customer submits a request for BER quotations, we use the information supplied to create, administer and process that request and to make appropriate request information available to eligible BER assessors through the platform.

Information displayed to assessors before a booking is confirmed is limited so that the customer’s direct contact information remains private.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that information supplied through the website is accurate and that they have the right to provide that information.

4. BER Assessor Information

BER assessors may be required to provide information when registering for the platform. Registration information may be reviewed before an assessor is approved to access customer requests or submit quotations.

We may use assessor information to administer accounts, review registrations, operate the quotation system, facilitate bookings, communicate with assessors and maintain the security and integrity of the platform.

5. How We Use Personal Information

We may use personal information to:

• process and administer BER quotation requests;
• create and manage customer and assessor accounts;
• allow eligible BER assessors to submit quotations;
• allow customers to compare quotations and select an assessor;
• process and administer bookings and booking deposits;
• provide relevant contact information following a confirmed booking;
• send service-related emails and notifications;
• respond to enquiries and provide support;
• prevent misuse, fraud or security problems;
• maintain and improve the website and its services; and
• comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.

6. Sharing Information With BER Assessors

We take steps to limit the disclosure of customer contact information during the quotation stage.

Before a customer selects an assessor and completes the required booking process, assessors are not provided with the customer’s private contact details solely for the purpose of contacting the customer outside the platform.

Once a customer selects an assessor and the applicable booking deposit has been successfully completed, relevant customer contact and property information may be made available to the selected assessor so that the assessment can be arranged and completed.

Relevant assessor contact information may also be made available to the customer following assignment.

7. Booking and Payment Information

Where a booking deposit or other payment is made through BER-CERTIFICATE.com, payment processing may be provided by a third-party payment service provider.

BER-CERTIFICATE.com may receive information relating to the status and administration of a transaction, but complete payment-card details may be handled directly by the relevant payment provider rather than stored by BER-CERTIFICATE.com.

Information relating to bookings and payments may be retained where reasonably necessary for administration, accounting, dispute resolution, fraud prevention and legal compliance.

8. Email and Service Communications

We may use your email address to send communications necessary for operation of the platform. These may include email confirmation messages, quotation notifications, account information, booking information, administrative notices and responses to support enquiries.

Service-related communications may be necessary to provide the service you have requested and are different from optional marketing communications.

9. Cookies and Website Technology

BER-CERTIFICATE.com may use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for the website to function, maintain sessions, provide account functionality, improve security and remember relevant preferences.

Additional cookies or technologies may be used by services integrated into the website. Where consent is legally required for non-essential cookies, appropriate consent mechanisms should be provided.

You can also manage cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the operation of some website features.

10. Legal Basis for Processing

Depending on the circumstances, we may process personal information because it is necessary to provide a service requested by you, to take steps at your request before providing a service, to comply with a legal obligation, because we have a legitimate interest in operating and protecting the platform, or because you have provided consent where consent is required.

Where we rely on legitimate interests, we seek to balance those interests against the rights and interests of the individuals whose information is being processed.

11. How Long We Keep Information

Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including providing our services, administering accounts and transactions, resolving disputes and meeting legal, accounting or regulatory requirements.

Different categories of information may therefore be retained for different periods.

12. Data Security

We take reasonable organisational and technical measures intended to protect personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, loss or misuse.

No website or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users should also take appropriate steps to protect passwords, devices and account information.

13. Your Data Protection Rights

Subject to applicable data protection law, you may have rights in relation to your personal information, including the right to request access to your information, request correction of inaccurate information, request deletion in certain circumstances, request restriction of processing, object to certain processing and request data portability where applicable.

Where processing is based on consent, you may also have the right to withdraw that consent. Withdrawal of consent does not affect processing that was lawful before consent was withdrawn.

These rights are subject to applicable legal conditions and exceptions.

14. Third-Party Services

BER-CERTIFICATE.com may use third-party providers to support the operation of the website and services, including website hosting, email delivery, payment processing, security, backups, analytics or other technical services.

These providers may process information where necessary to provide their services. We seek to use appropriate providers and safeguards where personal information is processed on our behalf.

The website may also contain links to third-party websites. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies, and BER-CERTIFICATE.com is not responsible for the privacy practices of independent third-party websites.

15. International Data Transfers

Some service providers used in operating the website may process or store information outside Ireland or the European Economic Area. Where personal information is transferred internationally, appropriate safeguards should be used where required by applicable data protection law.

16. Children’s Privacy

BER-CERTIFICATE.com is intended for persons who are able to request property-related services or provide BER assessment services. The platform is not designed or intended specifically for children.

17. Complaints

If you have a concern about how your personal information is handled, please contact us first so that we have an opportunity to address your concern.

You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission in Ireland or another competent data protection supervisory authority.

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the website, our services, legal requirements or the way personal information is processed.

The current version published on BER-CERTIFICATE.com will apply when you use the website.

19. Contact Us

If you have a question about this Privacy Policy or wish to make a request concerning your personal information, please contact: