GDPR Information

Last updated: January 2024

This page provides information about how mellowhelm Environmental Consulting complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Our Role as Data Controller

mellowhelm Environmental Consulting acts as the data controller for personal information collected through this website and in the course of our business activities. As data controller, we determine the purposes and means of processing personal data and are responsible for ensuring compliance with data protection legislation.

Lawful Basis for Processing

Under the UK GDPR, we must have a valid lawful basis for processing personal data. We rely on the following bases:

• Consent (Article 6(1)(a)): Where you have given explicit consent for us to process your personal data, such as subscribing to communications or submitting enquiry forms.
• Contractual Necessity (Article 6(1)(b)): Where processing is necessary for the performance of a contract or to take pre-contractual steps at your request.
• Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f)): Where processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, provided these do not override your rights. Our legitimate interests include operating our business, improving our services, and maintaining security.
• Legal Obligation (Article 6(1)(c)): Where we must process data to comply with legal requirements.

Your Rights Under UK GDPR

The UK GDPR provides you with the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right to Be Informed

You have the right to receive clear, transparent information about how we use your personal data. This page and our Privacy Policy fulfil this obligation.

Right of Access

You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you. This is commonly known as a Subject Access Request (SAR). We will respond to valid requests within one month.

Right to Rectification

You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data. We will make corrections within one month of a valid request.

Right to Erasure

Also known as the "right to be forgotten", you may request deletion of your personal data where:

• The data is no longer necessary for its original purpose
• You withdraw consent and no other legal basis exists
• You object to processing and no overriding legitimate grounds exist
• The data has been unlawfully processed
• Erasure is required for legal compliance

Right to Restrict Processing

You may request restriction of processing where:

• You contest the accuracy of the data (during verification)
• Processing is unlawful but you oppose erasure
• We no longer need the data but you require it for legal claims
• You have objected to processing (pending verification of grounds)

Right to Data Portability

Where processing is based on consent or contract and carried out by automated means, you have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format and to transmit it to another controller.

Right to Object

You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes. Upon objection, we will cease processing unless we demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds that override your interests, rights, and freedoms.

Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making

You have the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing, including profiling, that produce legal or similarly significant effects. We do not currently engage in such automated decision-making.

Data Protection Officer

Given the nature and scale of our data processing activities, we have not appointed a formal Data Protection Officer. However, data protection matters are overseen by our senior management team. For any data protection enquiries, please contact us at the address below.

Data Breach Procedures

We have procedures in place to detect, report, and investigate personal data breaches. Where a breach is likely to result in a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify the Information Commissioner's Office within 72 hours and, where required, communicate the breach to affected individuals without undue delay.

International Data Transfers

Where we transfer personal data outside the United Kingdom, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Transfers to countries with adequate data protection standards
• Standard contractual clauses approved by the ICO
• Binding corporate rules where applicable

Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected. Retention periods are determined based on:

• The nature and sensitivity of the data
• The purposes for which it is processed
• Applicable legal, accounting, or reporting requirements
• The statute of limitations for potential legal claims

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of your rights under the UK GDPR, please contact us:

mellowhelm Environmental Consulting
47 Wellington Street
Leeds, LS1 4JQ
United Kingdom

Email: [email protected]

We will respond to valid requests within one month. In complex cases or where we receive numerous requests, this period may be extended by a further two months, with notification provided.

Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with how we handle your personal data or have concerns about our data protection practices, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire, SK9 5AF

Website: ico.org.uk

We would appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns before you approach the ICO, so please contact us first if possible.