Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 5, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Latvian Textile Industry Association (“LvTex“, “we“, “us“) collects and processes personal data when you use our website lvtex.lv (the “Website“), including our member area, forms, and any services or content published on the Website. Membership-related data processing is also governed by our Charter (Statūti) and applicable internal regulations of the Association.

1. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us via the Contact Us page.

Responsible person for data protection: The Chair of the Board of LvTex is responsible for data protection matters. The Association does not currently appoint a separate Data Protection Officer (DPO), as it is not required under GDPR Article 37 for an organization of our size and processing scope. All data protection inquiries should be directed via the Contact Us page.

2. Categories of personal data we collect

Depending on how you use the Website, we may collect the following categories of personal data:

  • Contact and communication data: name, email address, message content, and any information you provide when contacting us via forms or email.
  • Membership/account data: information you provide during registration and account use (e.g., name, email, organization, position, and other information required for membership administration).
  • LvTex Community participants data: if you join LvTex Community (an associated structure for individuals without a registered company), we collect your name, email, age confirmation (registration is open from 18 years; minors aged 16-17 require documented parental consent), area of interest, and optionally your participation in any Community Committee.
  • Member portal data: if you have access to the member-only area, we log files you upload, download, and your activity within the portal for member services and audit purposes.
  • Beneficial ownership data: as required by EU anti-money laundering rules and our Charter, member legal entities declare their ultimate beneficial owners (individuals with 25% or more ownership or control) and affiliated legal entities. This data is collected for compliance and anti-takeover protections.
  • Compliance screening data: results of sanctions list checks, due diligence assessments and conflict-of-interest declarations performed during membership application and ongoing membership.
  • Event or opportunity applications (if applicable): information submitted via forms (e.g., application details, supporting documents, or references).
  • Technical and usage data: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, operating system, page views, referring URLs, approximate location derived from IP, and log data.
  • Cookies and similar technologies: identifiers stored in your browser to support Website functionality and preferences.

We do not intentionally collect special categories of personal data (e.g., health data) unless you explicitly provide them and there is a legal basis for processing.

3. Purposes and legal basis for processing

We process personal data only when we have a legal basis under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Typical purposes and legal bases include:

Purpose Examples Legal basis (GDPR)
Provide and maintain Website operation Load pages, prevent misuse, maintain security Legitimate interests; legal obligation (if applicable)
Respond to inquiries Contact forms, email requests Legitimate interests; pre-contractual steps (if applicable)
Membership administration Account creation, login, member services Contract; legitimate interests
Content and communications News updates, announcements, organizational communication Legitimate interests; consent (if required)
Analytics and improvements Performance measurement, user experience improvement Consent (if required for non-essential cookies); legitimate interests (if applicable)
Compliance and legal protection Record keeping, dispute resolution Legal obligation; legitimate interests
Anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance Beneficial owner declarations, sanctions screening, due diligence checks Legal obligation; legitimate interests
Anti-takeover protections Tracking affiliated entities to apply one-vote-per-affiliated-group rule (Charter Article 5.4) Legitimate interests; contract
LvTex Community administration Open registration, communication with participants, organization of Community Committees and events Consent; legitimate interests
Sponsored content / paid placements Publication of paid advertisements with the "Sponsored" label (transparency under EU Digital Services Act and Unfair Commercial Practices Directive) Contract; legitimate interests
EU project reporting Reporting participation in EU-funded projects (e.g., Horizon, Interreg, ESF+, Erasmus+) including youth engagement and civic participation metrics Legal obligation; legitimate interests

4. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to support Website functionality, remember preferences, and (if enabled) understand how visitors use the Website. Cookies may be set by us or by third-party service providers we use.

Cookie categories typically include:

  • Strictly necessary cookies (required for core functionality and security, including login sessions).
  • Preference cookies (remember settings such as language choice).
  • Analytics cookies (help us understand usage; activated only where appropriate and/or with consent).

You can control cookies in your browser settings (e.g., by blocking or deleting cookies). If you disable certain cookies, parts of the Website (such as member area login) may not function properly.

5. Sharing and disclosure of personal data

We may share personal data only where necessary for the purposes described above, including with:

  • Service providers (processors): hosting, email delivery, website maintenance, security, and (if enabled) analytics providers. These providers process personal data on our instructions and with appropriate contractual safeguards.
  • Professional advisors: legal, accounting, or audit services where required.
  • Authorities: where required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety.

We do not sell personal data.

6. International data transfers

If any service providers process data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (e.g., European Commission standard contractual clauses or adequacy decisions) as required by the GDPR.

7. Data retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Retention periods vary depending on data type and purpose:

  • Active member profiles and beneficial ownership data: for the duration of membership plus 5 to 10 years after membership ends, as required by Latvian law and EU AML rules.
  • LvTex Community participants: 12 months from the last sign of activity, then anonymization or deletion.
  • Form submissions (contact form, applications): 12 months, then deletion (subject to extension if related to a contractual or legal matter).
  • Sponsored placement records: 12 months for billing and DSA compliance, then archival.
  • Backup data with personal information: rotated every 12 months.
  • Security and access logs: typically 30 days, longer if needed for incident investigation.

8. Your rights (GDPR)

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal data
  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Request erasure of your data (in certain circumstances)
  • Request restriction of processing (in certain circumstances)
  • Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Request data portability (where processing is based on consent or contract and is automated)
  • Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)

To exercise your rights, please use the Contact Us page.

9. Complaints

If you believe your data protection rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority in Latvia (or, if applicable, in your country of habitual residence/place of work within the EEA).

The Latvian supervisory authority is the Data State Inspectorate (Datu valsts inspekcija, DSI):

10. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no online service can be guaranteed as 100% secure.

11. Data breach notification

In the event of a personal data breach, we will notify the Data State Inspectorate (DSI) within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach, in accordance with GDPR Article 33. If the breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of affected individuals, we will also notify those individuals without undue delay (GDPR Article 34). All breach incidents are documented in our internal breach log for compliance and review.

12. Sponsored content and paid placements

The Website may include paid placements (advertisements, sponsored articles, sponsored opportunities). All paid content is clearly marked with a visible "Sponsored" label, in accordance with the EU Digital Services Act (Article 26) and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. We screen advertisers against sanctions lists and apply internal editorial standards. We do not allow gambling, MLM schemes, fast fashion exploiting unethical labor, or content from sanctioned entities. A record of all paid placements is retained for at least 12 months for compliance purposes.

13. Children’s privacy

The Website and LvTex Community are intended for users aged 18 and over. Minors aged 16-17 may register for LvTex Community only with documented written consent from a parent or legal guardian. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If you believe a child under 16 has provided us with personal data, please contact us via the Contact Us page so we can delete the data.

14. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version on this page and update the “Last updated” date shown above.

Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how LvTex uses cookies and similar technologies on lvtex.lv, including when analytics are enabled.

1. What are cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. Similar technologies (e.g., local storage or pixels) may also be used for similar purposes.

2. How we use cookies

  • Strictly necessary: required for core functionality (including login sessions), security, and basic website operation.
  • Preferences: remember choices such as language and other settings.
  • Analytics: help us understand how visitors use the Website (e.g., pages visited, approximate location by IP, time spent, and aggregated performance metrics) to improve content and user experience.

3. Analytics and consent

If we use non-essential cookies (including analytics cookies), they will only be activated where appropriate and/or with your consent (e.g., via a cookie banner or preference tool). You can change your cookie preferences at any time using available controls (if provided) and/or browser settings.

4. Managing cookies

  • You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings.
  • If you disable certain cookies, parts of the Website (including member area login) may not function properly.
  • Some analytics or third-party tools may offer their own opt-out mechanisms (if applicable).

5. Updates

We may update this Cookie Policy as our cookie usage changes. Updates will be posted on this page.

Terms of Use

These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of lvtex.lv (the “Website“), including any files, documents, and materials published or available for download. By using the Website, you agree to these terms.

1. About us

The Website is operated by Latvian Textile Industry Association (“LvTex“). For questions, please use the Contact Us page.

2. Use of the Website

  • You agree to use the Website lawfully and not to misuse it (e.g., do not attempt unauthorized access, interfere with security, or upload malicious content).
  • We may restrict or suspend access (including member accounts) if we reasonably believe there is misuse or a security risk.

3. Member area (if applicable)

Certain content or features may be available only to registered members. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activities under your account.

4. Documents and downloadable files

  • Documents, templates, reports, and other files published on the Website are provided for informational purposes (and/or member use, where indicated).
  • Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the specific document or page, you may download and use materials for personal, internal, or organizational purposes. You may not resell, distribute, or publicly republish materials without prior written permission from LvTex (or the respective rights holder).
  • Some materials may belong to third parties and may be subject to their terms or licenses. Where applicable, those terms will govern your use.
  • We make reasonable efforts to keep files safe, but you are responsible for using appropriate security software and procedures when downloading content.

5. Intellectual property

All Website content (including text, design, and logos) is protected by applicable intellectual property laws and belongs to LvTex and/or its licensors, unless otherwise stated.

6. Links to third-party websites

The Website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for third-party content, security, or privacy practices. You use third-party sites at your own risk.

7. Disclaimers

The Website and materials are provided “as is” and “as available.” To the extent permitted by law, we make no warranties regarding availability, accuracy, or fitness for a particular purpose.

8. Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law, LvTex shall not be liable for indirect or consequential damages arising from the use of (or inability to use) the Website or materials, including downloaded files.

9. Applicable law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Latvia. Latvian courts have jurisdiction unless mandatory law provides otherwise.

10. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page, and continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.