This is the privacy and cookie policy of Bernaerts Auctioneers BV, with registered office at Verlatstraat 16-22, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium, and company registration number 0789.572.080.
Bernaerts Auctioneers BV is responsible for the processing of personal data through its websites and services, as described below. This policy may be amended when our services, data processing activities, or applicable legislation change. The most recent version is always published on our website.
1. What data do we process?
Depending on your use of our services, we may process, among other things, your name, address, e-mail address, phone number, language preference, business and billing details, bank details, data relating to purchases, sales and bids, correspondence, and data from your customer account.
Where necessary, we may also process identification documents.
When you visit our offices, showroom or auction room, CCTV footage may also be processed for security purposes and to prevent theft.
2. What do we use your data for?
We process personal data only to the extent necessary for:
- providing our services and performing our contracts;
- processing purchases, sales, bids and payments;
- managing your customer account;
- responding to your questions and communicating with you;
- sending newsletters and information, where a valid legal basis exists for doing so;
- operating, securing and improving our website and systems;
- securing our offices, showroom and auction room, and preventing and detecting theft;
- complying with legal and administrative obligations.
Depending on the purpose, processing is based on the performance of a contract, a legal obligation, our legitimate interest, or your consent.
3. Who do we share your data with?
We may share personal data with service providers who support us with, among other things, IT, hosting, communication, payments, administration and transport. These parties are only given access to the data necessary for their assignment.
We may also disclose data where required by law or when requested by a competent government or judicial authority.
For online auctions, external platforms may be used, such as Auction Mobility, Invaluable and Drouot. Your use of these platforms may be subject to their own privacy terms. This may involve a transfer of data outside the European Economic Area (EEA); in that case, we ensure this takes place with appropriate safeguards, such as the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.
4. Retention period
We do not retain personal data for longer than necessary for the purposes for which it is processed, and in particular observe the following periods:
- Administrative and accounting documents (invoices, statements): statutory retention period of 10 years.
- Customer account data: for as long as your account remains active, unless a longer statutory retention period applies.
- Identification documents: for as long as necessary for the relevant file, unless a longer statutory retention period applies.
- Newsletter and marketing: until you unsubscribe or withdraw your consent.
- CCTV footage: generally no longer than 1 month, unless needed as evidence in connection with a specific incident.
5. Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies.
- Strictly necessary cookies may be used to operate and secure the website and to provide functionality you have requested.
- Non-essential cookies, including analytical or marketing cookies, are only placed or used after you have given your consent, where this is legally required.
You can change your cookie preferences or withdraw your consent at any time via the cookie settings on our website.
6. Your rights
Subject to the applicable legal conditions, you have the right to:
- request access to your personal data;
- have inaccurate data corrected;
- have your data erased;
- have processing restricted;
- object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing;
- have your data transferred, where legally applicable;
- withdraw your consent where processing is based on it.
You can exercise these rights by contacting us at info@bernaerts.be or in writing at:
Bernaerts Auctioneers BV
Verlatstraat 16-22, 2000 Antwerp
We may ask you to confirm your identity.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority:
Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA)
Drukpersstraat 35, 1000 Brussels
Website: www.dataprotectionauthority.be
E-mail: contact@apd-gba.be
7. Security
Bernaerts takes appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against loss, misuse, and unauthorised access or processing.
8. Third-party websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. Bernaerts is not responsible for their privacy or cookie policies. Those websites are subject to their own terms.
Last updated: 30 August 2026