Merck Privacy Policy
Merck Pty Limited ABN 25 005 064 791 'Merck' is serious about the importance of privacy protection. This Privacy Policy applies to our operations in Australia.
As part our commitment to privacy protection, we comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (as amended) (the 'Privacy Act') and the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act.
This document sets out Merck's policy in respect of privacy and is in response to Principle 5 of the National Privacy Principles regarding 'Openness'.
For information concerning how to contact us about this policy and any matters raised by it (including access to information) please refer to the 'Contact Details' at the end of this document.
Note: In this Policy, terms which are defined in the Privacy Act have the same meanings.
Collection, Use and Disclosure
Merck only collects personal information that is necessary for one or more of our functions or activities.
We collect personal information from you to supply our products and services, or information about our products and services, to you.
You are able to gain access to personal information collected by us from you by contacting us via the 'Contact Details' set out at the end of this document.
We do not disclose personal information collected from you to a third party (other than our related companies) without your consent, unless required by law, or for the particular purposes set out below. However, if you request information from us, we may disclose your name and mailing address to a third party mail distribution service provider but only so that it can provide you with information about Merck and Merck products and services and we will provide you with an opportunity to opt-out of receiving further information.
Merck does not use or disclose personal information about you, except as set out above, unless we reasonably believe that the use or disclosure is required by law, is allowed under the Privacy Act, or is necessary to lessen or prevent:
• a serious and imminent threat to an individual’s life, health or safety; or
• a serious threat to public health or public safety.
We may not be able to supply you with our products or services if you fail to provide us with your name and address or other requested personal information.
Insofar as it is reasonable and practicable to do so, we will only collect personal information about you from you.
Data quality and Data security
Merck takes reasonable steps to:
• ensure that the personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date; and
• protect the personal information we hold from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure; and
• destroy or permanently de-identify personal information if it is no longer needed for any purpose for which the information may be used or disclosed under National Privacy Principle 2.
Access and correction
Merck will provide you with access to any personal information collected from you unless we determine that we are unable or unwilling to do so. If we are unwilling or unable to provide you with complete access, we will provide you with as much access as we determine appropriate in the circumstances (if any) and a reason or reasons for our refusal to allow complete access.
We are committed to respecting the privacy of individuals from whom we collect personal information and allowing them access to their collected information and will only refuse access in the circumstances allowed for under the Privacy Act.
We charge for providing access to personal information but do not charge for lodging a request for access.
If we hold personal information about you and you are able to establish that the information is not accurate, complete and up-to-date, we will take reasonable steps to correct the information so that it is accurate, complete and up-to-date.
If we disagree with you about whether the information is accurate, complete and up-to-date, we will, at your request, take reasonable steps to allow you to associate with the information a statement claiming that the information is not accurate, complete or up-to-date.
Merck will provide reasons for a refusal to correct personal information.
Identifiers and Anonymity
Merck does not use or disclose identifiers for individuals as assigned by others, including government departments, except for an individual's name and, if appropriate, an ABN (as defined in the 'A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act' 1999).
Wherever it is lawful and practicable, individuals have the option of not identifying themselves when entering transactions with Merck.
Transborder data flows
Merck will only transfer personal information about you to someone (other than our organisation or you) who is in a foreign country if it is necessary to facilitate our dealings with you and/or you consent.
Sensitive information
Merck does not collect sensitive information (as defined in the Privacy Act) about you unless one or more of the following apply:
• you have consented; or
• the collection is required by law; or
• the collection is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of any individual, where the individual whom the information concerns:
o is physically or legally incapable of giving consent to the collection; or
o physically cannot communicate consent to the collection; or
o the collection is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal or equitable claim.
Contact Details
Merck Pty Limited ABN 25 005 064 791
207 Colchester Road
KILSYTH Victoria 3137
Telephone: 61 3 9728 5855 Email: mm.aus@merckgroup.com
Facsimile: 61 3 9728 1351 Website: http://www.merckmillipore.com.au
More information about privacy can be found at www.privacy.gov.au.
DISCLAIMER: Merck is not responsible for the privacy policy of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner's website, nor any other website to which that website is linked.
