Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website.
Last Updated: July 2, 2025
This Cookie Policy is part of our Privacy Policy and complies with applicable South African privacy laws.
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.
Cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. They also enable certain website functionalities and improve your browsing experience.
2.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be switched off. They include:
- Session cookies: Store information during your visit to maintain website functionality
- Security cookies: Help protect against security threats and ensure safe browsing
- Form cookies: Remember information you enter in forms (like the contact form)
- Authentication cookies: Keep you logged in to secure areas if applicable
Legal Basis: Legitimate interest - these cookies are essential for the website to function properly.
2.2 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website by collecting information anonymously:
- Google Analytics: Tracks website usage, page views, and user behavior
- Performance monitoring: Helps us identify and fix technical issues
- Traffic analysis: Shows us which pages are most popular
- User journey tracking: Helps us understand how users navigate our site
Data Collected: Page views, session duration, bounce rate, geographic location (country/city level), device type, browser type.
2.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance the functionality of our website and remember your preferences:
- Theme preferences: Remember if you prefer dark or light mode
- Language settings: Store your preferred language (if applicable)
- Font size preferences: Remember accessibility settings
- Region preferences: Remember your preferred regional office information
2.4 Communication Cookies
These cookies are related to our contact forms and newsletter subscription functionality:
- Form submission tracking: Prevent duplicate form submissions
- Newsletter preferences: Remember if you've subscribed to our newsletter
- Contact history: Store temporary information to improve user experience
- reCAPTCHA cookies: Used by Google reCAPTCHA to verify you're not a robot
Our website may use third-party services that set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies, but we provide information about the main third-party services we use:
Google Analytics
Purpose: Website analytics and usage tracking
Data Retention: 26 months (configurable)
Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
Google reCAPTCHA
Purpose: Spam protection for contact forms
Data Collected: IP address, browser information
Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
Hosting Provider
Purpose: Website hosting and content delivery
Data Collected: Server logs, IP addresses
Data Retention: As per hosting provider's policy
Email Service Provider
Purpose: Sending contact form responses and newsletters
Data Collected: Email addresses, delivery metrics
Usage: Contact forms and newsletter subscriptions
The information collected through cookies helps us:
- Ensure our website functions properly and securely
- Understand how visitors use our website and which content is most valuable
- Improve website performance and user experience
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Provide personalized content and functionality
- Protect against spam and abuse in our contact forms
- Analyze website traffic patterns and optimize our content
- Ensure newsletter subscriptions are processed correctly
5.1 Contact Form Cookies
When you use our contact form, we may set cookies to:
- Prevent duplicate form submissions
- Remember your form data temporarily in case of technical issues
- Track form completion for analytics purposes
- Ensure reCAPTCHA verification works properly
5.2 Newsletter Subscription Tracking
If you opt-in to our newsletter by checking the subscription checkbox:
- We may set a cookie to remember your subscription preference
- Track successful subscription confirmations
- Prevent duplicate subscription attempts
- Store preferences for future communications
Important: Newsletter subscription is optional and requires your explicit consent via the checkbox in our contact form.
Cookies are stored for different periods depending on their purpose:
| Cookie Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Session Cookies | Until browser closes | Essential website functionality |
| Analytics Cookies | Up to 26 months | Website usage analysis |
| Preference Cookies | Up to 12 months | Remember user preferences |
| Form Cookies | 24 hours | Form submission tracking |
| Security Cookies | Until browser closes | Security and authentication |
7.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can usually find these options in the "Privacy" or "Security" section of your browser settings. You can:
- Block all cookies
- Allow only essential cookies
- Delete existing cookies
- Set cookies to be automatically deleted when you close your browser
- Be notified when cookies are being set
7.2 Browser-Specific Instructions
Google Chrome
Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
Mozilla Firefox
Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari
Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
Microsoft Edge
Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
7.3 Third-Party Opt-Out
You can also opt out of specific third-party cookies:
- Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Google Advertising: Google Ad Settings
Important Note
Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are necessary for the website to function properly. This may impact features such as:
- Contact form functionality
- Newsletter subscription process
- Security features
- User preferences and settings
For mobile devices, cookie management depends on your mobile browser. Most mobile browsers have similar options to desktop browsers:
- iOS Safari: Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
- Android Chrome: Chrome Menu → Settings → Privacy and security
- Samsung Internet: Menu → Settings → Privacy and security
You can also clear cookies by clearing your browsing data or using private/incognito browsing mode.
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our use of cookies or applicable laws. When we make changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- We will post the revised policy on our website
- Significant changes will be communicated to newsletter subscribers
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council
Email: info@meibc.co.za
Phone: 011 484 5300
Address:
MEIBC House
265 West Avenue
Centurion, 0157
South Africa
For privacy-related inquiries, please also refer to our Privacy Policy.