Last updated: 7 September 2026

SME EUROPE is committed to protecting personal data and providing clear information about how personal data is used in connection with this website, website-related communications and event registrations.

1. Controller

The controller responsible for the processing of personal data is:

Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Europe AISBL (SME EUROPE)
Rue d’Arlon 46
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Email: office@smeeurope.eu
Website: www.smeeurope.eu

2. Personal data we process

We may process personal data when you visit our website, contact us, subscribe to updates or invitations, register for an event through our website or a registration service linked from it, or otherwise interact with us in connection with the website.

This may include your name, organisation, job title, email address, country, communication preferences, information contained in messages you send to us and event-registration information.

Limited technical information generated when using the website may also be processed, such as IP address, browser information and technical server logs necessary for the operation and security of the website.

For certain events held at the European Parliament, additional information may be required for visitor accreditation and security purposes. Depending on the applicable requirements, this may include nationality, date of birth, European Parliament access-badge status, identity-document type, ID or passport number and document expiry date.

Such information is collected only for the purpose of arranging the required visitor accreditation and event access and may be provided to the European Parliament or the relevant accreditation or security services. Accreditation and identity-document information is not used for marketing purposes.

3. Purposes and legal basis

We process personal data for purposes including:

• *  operating and securing the website;
• *  responding to enquiries;
• *  managing event registrations and participation;
• *  arranging event access and accreditation;
• *  sending SME EUROPE updates, invitations or other communications where permitted;
• *  and complying with applicable legal obligations.

Depending on the processing activity, the legal basis may be your consent, the performance of a contract or steps taken at your request, compliance with a legal obligation, or SME EUROPE’s legitimate interests in operating its website, organising events, communicating about its activities and maintaining website and IT security.

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time.

Where personal data is used for updates, invitations or similar direct communications, you may unsubscribe or object to such processing at any time.

4. Cookies and website technologies

The SME EUROPE website may use cookies or similar technologies that are necessary for the technical operation, security and functionality of the website or for remembering cookie preferences.

We currently do not use Google Analytics or other analytics cookies for general website visitor analytics.

Non-essential cookies, analytics or tracking technologies are used only where permitted by applicable law and, where required, with your consent.

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services, including social-media platforms. When you follow such links, the respective third-party provider is responsible for its own processing of personal data.

5. Sharing of data

We do not sell personal data.

We may share personal data with service providers where necessary to operate our website and related activities, including hosting, IT, email, event and administrative service providers.

For certain events, registration may be processed through Eventbrite. When you register through Eventbrite, personal data may be processed by Eventbrite in accordance with its own privacy information and, where applicable, on behalf of SME EUROPE.

Where an event requires access to the European Parliament, necessary accreditation information may be provided to the European Parliament or the relevant accreditation or security services.

Where a service provider processes personal data outside the European Economic Area, appropriate safeguards are used where required under applicable data-protection law.

We may also disclose personal data where required by law.

6. Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law.

In particular:

• *  event-registration information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the organisation and follow-up of the relevant event;
• *  accreditation and identity-document information is retained only for as long as necessary for the relevant accreditation and event-access process;
• *  communication data may be retained for as long as necessary to manage the relevant correspondence or relationship; and
• *  subscription information is retained until you unsubscribe, withdraw your consent or object to the relevant processing.

Limited information may be retained where necessary to document and respect an unsubscribe request or objection.

7. Your rights

Under applicable data-protection law, you may have the right to:

• *  request access to your personal data;
• *  request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data;
• *  request deletion of your personal data;
• *  request restriction of processing;
• *  receive certain personal data in a portable format;
• *  object to processing based on legitimate interests;
• *  and withdraw your consent where processing is based on consent.

To exercise your rights or ask a question about the processing of your personal data, please contact:

office@smeeurope.eu

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority:

Autorité de protection des données / Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit
Rue de la Presse 35
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Email: contact@apd-gba.be
Website: www.dataprotectionauthority.be

8. Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the website, our processing activities or applicable legal requirements.

The latest version will be published on this page.