Cookie policy

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small text file which may be stored on your computer when you visit a website. This text file contains information such as the language you choose on a website. When you visit that website again later, this cookie is sent to that website once more., This way, so that the website recognises your browser as well as your choice of language.

Cookies generally have an expiration date. Certain cookies are for instance automatically deleted when you close your browser (session cookies), whereas others can remain much longer on your computer, sometimes until you delete them manually (persistent cookies).

Different types of cookies

There are different types of cookies, as described below.

1. Purpose based

Technical essential cookies: they are essential for pure technical reasons when using a website, for example authentication that are stored when visiting a website.

Functional cookies: they are placed to ensure the proper functioning of the website according to the user’s expectations, like for example the language preference.

In order to use essential technical and functional cookies, no prior user consent is required. The purpose of their use lies in the legitimate interest of the internet user or the data controller.

2. Owner based

First party cookies are installed by the website you are visiting. Only this site can read them.

Third party cookies: these are cookies which are not installed by the website you are visiting, but because the website makes use of social media or advertisements. They are not used on this site.

3. Duration based

Session cookies: they only exist during the session and are automatically deleted as soon as the user closes their browser.

Persistent cookies: they are stored on your device and remain there until the date of expiration, unless the user deletes them before the expiration date.

Why do we use cookies?

Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment the administrator of the website, uses two types of cookies on the Passenger Locator Form:

  • essential cookies;
  • functional cookies.

What cookies are used on the website?

List of essential cookies

It is indispensable these cookies are installed on your device to enable a normal visit of the website. These cookies are installed automatically from the moment you visit the website, and you cannot refuse them.

NameExpiryContentParty
PHPSESSIDAt the end of the sessionSession cookie 
BIGipServer~At the end of the sessionLoad balancerFirst party
9613e68f71e2… *At the end of the sessionSession cookieFirst party
5e2e918619e3… *At the end of the sessionSession cookieFirst party
   *can also be displayed as 'hex(32)'

List of functional cookies

Functional cookies remember the choices you make during your visit. If you want to us our website, you cannot refuse them. Nevertheless, we only install them after your confirmation.

NameExpiryContentParty
orejime90 daysRemembers your choice of cookies; whether you have accepted them or not.First party

How can I see which cookies are saved on my device and how can I delete them?

If you wish to know which cookies have been saved on your device or if you can delete them, you can use a parameter of your browser. You will find more information on how to do it via the following links.

FirefoxChromeSafariInternet Explorer
Firefox (mobile)Chrome (mobile)Safari (mobile)Microsoft Edge

If you use another browser, you can check if the procedure for your browser is mentioned in this explanatory website.