Legal & Privacy
Cookie policy
This policy explains what cookies are, which ones we use on rcaquatics.com, why we use them, and how you can control them. It applies to visitors from both the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Last updated: April 2026
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device — computer, phone, or tablet — when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work properly, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to website owners about how their site is being used.
Cookies can be session cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, or persistent cookies, which remain on your device for a set period of time or until you delete them. They can be set by the website you are visiting (first-party cookies) or by third-party services running on the page (third-party cookies).
Types of cookies we use
We use four categories of cookies on this website. Essential cookies are always active as they are required for the site to function. All other categories require your consent under UK and EU law.
Essential Always on
These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to work. They enable core functions like shopping cart, account login, and secure checkout. They cannot be switched off, and no consent is required to set them.
Functional Optional
These cookies remember your preferences and settings to improve your experience — such as remembering your login or language choice. They are not strictly necessary but make using the site more convenient.
Analytics Optional
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our site — such as which pages are visited most and where visitors come from. This information helps us improve the website. All data is aggregated and anonymous.
Marketing Optional
Marketing cookies may be used in the future to track visitors across websites and display relevant advertising. We will update this policy and request fresh consent before any marketing cookies are activated.
Cookies we set on this site
The tables below list the specific cookies set on rcaquatics.com, including those placed by WordPress and WooCommerce.
Essential cookies — WordPress & WooCommerce
| Cookie name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| woocommerce_cart_hash | Stores a hash of the cart contents so WooCommerce can detect when the cart changes. | Session | Essential |
| woocommerce_items_in_cart | Tracks whether the visitor has items in their cart, used to display the cart widget correctly. | Session | Essential |
| wp_woocommerce_session_* | Contains a unique ID linking each visitor to their session data in the database — including cart contents and checkout details. No personal data is stored in the cookie itself. | 2 days | Essential |
| woocommerce_recently_viewed | Tracks which products you have recently viewed to power the “recently viewed” feature. | Session | Essential |
| wordpress_logged_in_* | Set after login to identify you as a logged-in user and maintain your session across pages. | Session / 14 days | Essential |
| wordpress_sec_* | Used to securely authenticate logged-in users and restrict access to the admin area. | Session / 14 days | Essential |
| wp-settings-* | Stores user preferences for the WordPress admin interface. Only set for logged-in users. | 1 year | Essential |
| wordpress_test_cookie | A temporary cookie used to check whether your browser accepts cookies. Deleted immediately after the check. | Session | Essential |
| PHPSESSID | A standard PHP session cookie that maintains your session state on the server. | Session | Essential |
Functional cookies
| Cookie name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| wc_fragments_* | Helps WooCommerce update cart fragments dynamically without a full page reload, improving performance and user experience. | Session | Functional |
| comment_author_* | Remembers your name and email address if you leave a comment or product review, so you don’t have to retype them next time. | ~1 year | Functional |
Legal basis for using cookies
United Kingdom — UK PECR & UK GDPR
- The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) require that we obtain your consent before setting any non-essential cookies.
- Essential cookies are exempt from consent requirements as they are strictly necessary for the service you have requested.
- The UK GDPR requires that consent is freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous — pre-ticked boxes do not constitute valid consent.
- You have the right to withdraw consent at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of prior processing.
European Union — EU GDPR & ePrivacy Directive
- The ePrivacy Directive (as implemented in each EU member state) requires prior informed consent for all non-essential cookies.
- The EU GDPR sets the standard for what constitutes valid consent — it must be active, informed, and as easy to withdraw as to give.
- Essential cookies are permitted without consent under the legitimate interest ground, provided they are truly necessary.
- EU visitors have all rights under the GDPR including access, erasure, and portability in relation to any personal data processed via cookies.
How to control or delete cookies
You can control and manage cookies in several ways. Please be aware that removing or blocking cookies may impact your user experience and some functionality may no longer be available — in particular, blocking essential cookies will prevent the shopping cart and checkout from working.
Via your browser settings
All major browsers allow you to view, manage, block, and delete cookies through their settings menus. Here are direct links to cookie management guidance for the most common browsers:
Google Chrome
Manage cookies in ChromeMozilla Firefox
Manage cookies in FirefoxApple Safari
Manage cookies in SafariMicrosoft Edge
Manage cookies in EdgeOpera
Manage cookies in OperaAll browsers
aboutcookies.org guideVia our cookie consent banner
When you first visit rcaquatics.com, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site, or by contacting us directly.
Changes to this policy
We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in the law, or other operational reasons. The date at the top of this page indicates when it was last revised. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
If we introduce any new non-essential cookies, we will update this policy and request fresh consent from visitors before setting them.
Data controller & contact
RC Aquatics is the data controller for personal data processed through this website. If you have any questions about this cookie policy, wish to exercise your rights under UK or EU data protection law, or want to withdraw consent for non-essential cookies, please contact us:
- Email: customerservices@rcaquatics.com
- WhatsApp: +44 7502 221336
For independent guidance on your privacy rights in the UK, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). For EU residents, you may also contact your national data protection authority.
Questions about cookies or your privacy?
We’re happy to explain how any cookie on this site works.