This privacy policy explains how we use any information collected from you as you use this website, including our use of cookies. The Bed Bug Foundation CIC (BBF) is committed to protecting and preserving the privacy of our visitors when visiting our websites and communicating with us.

We may change this policy from time to time so please check this page occasionally to ensure you’re happy with any changes. Continued use of the website implies acceptance of the policy.

How do we collect information?

BBF collects and processes data about you when:

• you provide information by filling in an application form on the BBF website
• you register for access to the BBF Members Area
• you sign up to receive email newsletters
• you complete surveys that we use for research purposes
• you make purchases from the BBF website
• you visit our website, leaving information about your computer and visits
• you contact us via phone, email or in person, when we may keep your contact details
• you submit information to one of our affiliated scent detection schools

The information is used to manage member access, canine scent detection team certification, and the display of your website and contact information on the BBF websites: bedbugfoundation.org & bbf-k9.org.

You may choose to opt-out of these at any time.

If you make a purchase from us, your card information is not held by us, it is collected by our third-party payment processors (PayPal and Stripe), who specialise in the secure online capture and processing of debit/credit card transactions. If you have any questions regarding secure transactions, please contact us.

How is your information used?

We may use your information:

• to provide you with information relating to membership of BBF, information related to our website, services which you request from us or for the registration of events;
• to provide you with information on other services that we feel may be of interest to you in line with those you have previously expressed an interest in via our website, interest groups or events;
• to seek your views or comments on the services we provide;
• for our internal purposes including statistical or survey purposes, site performance and evaluation to improve our website;
• to administer this website;
• for our affiliated schools to contact you regarding our scent detection training and certification programme.
• to advertise your company through the our sister site: bbf-k9.org

As a member organisation we have obligations to ensure all our members receive certain information, including on governance matters.

We will hold your personal information on our systems for as long as it is necessary for the relevant activity, or as long as it is set out in our contract with the Member company.

BBF members

BBF Members who pass Canine Scent Detection certification will have their contact details and company logo displayed publicly on this website (bedbugfoundation.org) and our sister site, bbf-k9.org.

You may opt to have this information updated or removed entirely at any time, form either platform.

To terminate your membership or update the information we store and/or publicly display about you, please email [email protected].

Who has access to your information?

BBF will not sell, share or lease the personal information we collect about you with any third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so.

We are required to share some of your personal details with partners who act on our behalf to provide you with Member benefits. They will not use your details for marketing purposes.

Security precautions in place to protect the loss, misuse or alteration of your information

When you give us personal information, we take steps to ensure that it’s treated securely on all our systems. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

Where we have given you (or where you have chosen) a password which enables you to access certain parts of the BBF website, you are responsible for keeping this password confidential. We ask you not to share your password with anyone.

You have a right to complain to the ICO if you think there is a problem with the way BBF are handling your data.

Use of cookies on the BBF website

Like many other websites, the BBF website uses cookies. ‘Cookies’ are small pieces of information sent by an organisation to your computer and stored on your hard drive to allow that website to recognise when you visit. Cookies are sometimes used to improve the website experience of a visitor to a website and help deliver a better and more personalised service.

There are different types of cookies based on their use:

• Some cookies we use to remember your preferences for tools found on our website, so you don’t have to re-enter them each time you switch a page or each time you visit. They will remember your user login, the language you prefer and help speed up your searches.
• Some are created and used by web analytics software (such as Google Analytics) to track how many individual unique users we have and how often they visit the website. Unless you are signed into the site, these cookies cannot be used to identify you personally. If you are logged in, the login process links you to your stored membership record that includes your username and email address.
• When you register with us, we generate cookies which signal whether you are signed in or not. We use these cookies to determine which account you are signed in with, and if you should get access to a service.

You may refuse to accept cookies by activating the setting on your browser which allows you to refuse the setting of cookies. However, if you select this setting you may be unable to access certain parts of our website. Unless you have adjusted your browser setting so that it will refuse cookies, our system will issue cookies when you log into our website.

Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Website terms and conditions

If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern the Bed Bug Foundation’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.

The term the Bed Bug Foundation or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is Priors Loft, Coleford Road, Tidenham, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 7JD, UK. Our company (CIC) is registered in England and Wales, company number 12231220. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

• The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
• This website uses cookies to monitor browsing preferences. If you do allow cookies to be used, personal information may be stored by us for use.
• Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
• Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
• This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
• All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website.
• Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.
• From time to time, this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).

Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Website disclaimer

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by the BBF and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of the Bed Bug Foundation. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, the Bed Bug Foundation takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.

Complaints procedure

The BBF takes complaints seriously.

Complaints about this website and its content should be directed to [email protected].

Complaints about the conduct of teams listed on this site should be directed to the appropriate country representative. The contact details of the country representatives can be found here: https://www.bedbugfoundation.org/contact/

Please note we cannot accept anonymous complaints or complaints about non-BBF detection dog companies.

Copyright notice

This website and its content is copyright of the Bed Bug Foundation CIC. All rights reserved.

Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:

• you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only
• you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material

You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system without prior permission.