1. Introduction & Scope
This Cookie Policy explains how The Charge Grid (operated by C&H EUROPE BV, BCE/KBO: 0729.731.988, Spoorwegstraat 51, 2600 Antwerp, Belgium) uses cookies, local storage mechanisms, and similar tracking technologies on our website, web portals, and mobile services in compliance with the EU ePrivacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC as amended) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR - Regulation (EU) 2016/679).
2. What Are Cookies & Local Trackers?
Cookies are compact text files stored on your computer, tablet, or smartphone by your web browser when you access online services. They allow our systems to recognize your device, maintain authenticated sessions, record linguistic preferences, and monitor platform performance.
In addition to standard HTTP cookies, we also utilize HTML5 LocalStorage and SessionStorage to cache configuration parameters, station search filters, and secure authentication tokens within our web applications.
3. Categorization of Cookies Used
3.1 Strictly Necessary / Essential Cookies
These technical cookies are vital for core platform operation and security navigation. Under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, they do not require prior consent. Disabling them will cause authentication, CSRF security, or ordering workflows to fail.
3.2 Functional / Preference Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced personalization by remembering choices such as language preference (EN, NL, FR), map filter configurations, and user interface theme settings.
3.3 Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect aggregated, privacy-preserving metrics concerning page response times, server latency, and navigation flow to help us optimize system responsiveness without directly identifying individual visitors.
3.4 Marketing & Conversion Cookies
These trackers evaluate campaign attribution and referral effectiveness. They are only deployed upon explicit opt-in consent.
4. Detailed Cookie Matrix
| Cookie Name | Provider | Category | Purpose & Description | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GRID_SESSION |
The Charge Grid | Strictly Necessary | Preserves encrypted PHP user session state across web page requests. | Session |
grid_csrf_token |
The Charge Grid | Strictly Necessary | Protects against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) on form submissions. | Session |
remember_token |
The Charge Grid | Strictly Necessary | Enables secure persistent login authentication when selected by the user. | 30 days |
grid_cookie_consent |
The Charge Grid | Strictly Necessary | Records your cookie category consent choices and preferences. | 12 months |
lang |
The Charge Grid | Functional | Stores user preferred display language (English, Dutch, French). | 12 months |
_grid_analytics_id |
The Charge Grid | Analytics | Generates anonymous aggregated telemetry metrics on page response times. | 13 months |
cookie_consent / cookie_preferences |
The Charge Grid | Strictly Necessary | Stores granular user consent states (Necessary, Functional, Analytics) in HTTP cookie and HTML5 LocalStorage. | 12 months |
_ga / _ga_* |
Google Analytics (GA4) | Analytics (Opt-In Only) | Measures anonymized visitor traffic and page navigation with IP anonymization enabled; blocked by default until explicit consent and purged upon revocation or GPC/DNT signal. | 13 months |
5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You can adjust your cookie settings at any time directly on our platform:
On-Site Cookie Settings
Update your consent choices for analytics and non-essential cookies.
6. Web Browser Cookie Controls
Most modern browsers allow you to manage or block cookies through their privacy settings:
- Google Chrome Instructions
- Mozilla Firefox Instructions
- Apple Safari Instructions
- Microsoft Edge Instructions
The Charge Grid honors the Global Privacy Control (GPC) and Do Not Track (DNT) browser header signals, automatically disabling non-essential trackers when detected.
7. Contact & Updates
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect technological or regulatory changes. For questions regarding our cookie practices, please contact privacy@thechargegrid.com.