Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 10, 2024

This Website is owned and operated by the Cool Roof Rating Council, Inc. (“CRRC”), a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Maryland, U.S.A. This Privacy Policy outlines the information collected from users of coolroofs.org and also, as applicable, the CRRC Online Rating Portal (collectively, the “Website”) and how that information is used, shared, and protected by CRRC. In addition to this Privacy Policy, users of the Website should review the CRRC’s Terms of Use (available at coolroofs.org/terms), for any additional terms or conditions that may apply. All information provided to CRRC by a User through this Website (including, without limitation, information submitted through the Online Rating Portal and downloaded forms and materials that are subsequently emailed or submitted to CRRC) shall be governed by this Privacy Policy.

What Personal Information is Collected and How CRRC Uses It:

CRRC collects personally identifiable information through the Website, including names, addresses, zip or postal codes, email addresses, title, company, telephone number, website, employer contacts, employer’s services, proposed membership category, reason for joining, information about your testing laboratory, sales volume, and other information (including, as applicable, product rating information), when voluntarily submitted by a user. CRRC only collects personally identifiable information that is voluntarily submitted, and users may correct, modify, or delete any personal information collected by CRRC by request. Website access is not contingent on user registration or disclosure of personal information, though some Website services may only be available to CRRC members and licensees.

This website utilizes Google Analytics to get aggregate metrics on website usage. We may collect and use non-personally identifiable information relating to your use of the Website through Google Analytics to better understand Website performance and usage and to improve its functionality, and to perform statistical analyses of user behavior and characteristics to measure interest in and use of the various areas of the Website. Please refer to the following policies on Google’s website for more information: https://policies.google.com/privacy and https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/analyticsjs/cookie-usage.

To opt out: Users can opt out of Google Analytics through the Google Opt Out Browser Add-on found here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Additional uses of your personally identifiable information include processing your membership, requests for licenses, answering your questions/requests and communicating with you, providing you with other services, products, or information you have requested, to alert you to new projects, research, events, or other activities, for research and development, for general business purposes, including but not limited to program operations, fraud detection, marketing, promotions, fundraising activities and communications, to run/administer our Website and for internal operations, to measure or understand the effectiveness of our Website and to analyze and improve our services, to audit and/or administer our accounts; to report on the impact and effectiveness of our work, and to satisfy legal obligations which are binding on us. CRRC may also use provided information to provide services to users concerning their product ratings, information requests or memberships. Any financial information voluntarily provided is collected securely.

CRRC may send promotional emails pertaining to CRRC or CRRC-approved third parties, such as co-sponsored events. Users may request confirmation as to whether or not their personal data is being processed. Users may further opt-out of receiving marketing communications from CRRC and CRRC-approved third parties and request correction, modification, or deletion from CRRC contact databases by sending an email to us at [email protected].

How We Share Personal Information We Collect:

Except where set out in this Policy, we do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes. However, in general, we may disclose your personal information to third parties in order to achieve the purposes set out in this Policy. For example, we may share personally identifiable information with third-parties:

1. When the person providing the information authorizes us to share it, such as including it as part of one of our online directories;
2. When the information is shared with a service provider in furtherance of our operations or operations of the Website, for example to process a financial transaction that you make or to fulfill a request that you make, such as is necessary for the product rating program;
3. To comply with legal processes such as a subpoena or court order or to otherwise protect your or our legal rights; or
4. For other purposes for which you provided the information.

CRRC has no control over or responsibility for the data collection or use practices of third parties that process online transactions. If, for example, you make a financial transaction using PayPal or a similar third-party payment provider, information necessary for processing the transaction is transmitted to the payment provider and is subject to that third party’s own privacy policy.

Protecting User Privacy:

The CRRC uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical data security practices to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of personal data. The CRRC, however, cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information users transmit to us, and users do so at their own risk. We have taken reasonable steps to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of personally identifiable information that users may provide; however, no transmission or electronic storage of information can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.

We maintain security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure. However, no exchange of data over the Internet can be 100% guaranteed secure. While we make every effort to protect your personal information shared with us through our Website, you acknowledge that the personal information you voluntarily share with us through this Website could be accessed or tampered with by a third party. CRRC will notify users of any breach or compromise of such information as required by applicable law. You agree that we are not responsible for any intercepted information shared through the Website without our knowledge or permission. Additionally, you release us from any and all claims arising out of or related to the use of such intercepted information in any unauthorized manner.

CRRC’s website is hosted by servers in the United States. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, any data you voluntarily provide to us will be transferred to the United States. By submitting such data, you consent to its transfer and storage in the United States and its use in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Policy will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law. The exclusive venue for any mediation, arbitration, or court proceeding based on or arising out of this Privacy Policy will be in the state or federal courts located in the State of Maryland and you hereby consent and submit to the venue and personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of such action.

Children's Privacy:

The CRRC is committed to protecting children's privacy on the Internet, and does not knowingly or intentionally collect personal information from children. As noted in the Terms and Conditions, the Website is intended for use only by individuals who are at least 13 years old. Parents and guardians may contact CRRC at [email protected] to review and remove the personal information of their children that may have been inadvertently collected from their child’s website access.

Links To Other Websites:

The Website may contain links to other CRRC affiliated websites and third party websites (“linked sites”) for users’ convenience and information. Linked sites may have their own privacy policies or notices, which we strongly suggest users review should they visit any linked sites. CRRC is not responsible for the content of any websites that are not affiliated with CRRC, any use of those websites, or the privacy practices of those websites.

Privacy Policy Updates:

The CRRC will periodically review and update this Privacy Policy as necessary and reserves the right to change or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes to this Policy will be effective upon being posted to the Website unless stated otherwise. Users are encouraged to periodically review the Website for the latest information on our privacy practices. Use of the Website constitutes acceptance of the terms of this Privacy Policy.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions concerning the Privacy Policy, please contact CRRC at [email protected].

This Policy is effective January 10, 2024.