ISO 20252 : 2006 Market, opinion and social research - Vocabulary and service requirements
If you carry out, commission or buy market research, demonstrating best practice is a powerful driver to potential clients, consumers and competitors.
ISO 20252:2006 market, opinion, social research, vocabulary and service requirements is the new international standard that unites and supersedes existing national standards and sets a common level of quality for market research globally.
Driven by the global market research industry and professional and trade associations, including European Society for Opinion and Market Research (ESOMAR) and Market Research Quality Standards Association (MRQSA), the standard provides an internationally recognized framework for market researchers to work to.
Cultural, social and behavioural differences between countries make conducting, monitoring and relying upon international research very difficult. The implementation and certification of a quality management system based on ISO 20252 enables you to regulate these differences and carry out cross-border, multi-country research studies with the assurance that working procedures are compatible.
Who is it relevant to?
It is suitable for any organization that undertakes research, both nationally and internationally. The most common business sectors implementing and certifying to the standard tend to be in healthcare, automotive, finance, media and social research.
Benefits
ISO 20252 can provide a number of benefits for organizations commissioning, buying and carrying out market research and opinion polls. If you carry out or commission market research, ISO 20252 establishes the terms and definitions as well as the service requirements for organizations and professionals conducting market, opinion and social research, especially when operating on an international scale. ISO 20252 requires an effective quality system to be implemented. Demonstrating best practice is a potent statement to consumers and competitors.
ISO 20252 will help organizations:
- overcome barriers to trade by demonstrating that local requirements have been met
- maximize revenue by gaining worldwide market access
- improve efficiency and risk management by streamlining business processes and eliminating waste
- inspire client confidence by demonstrating quality and reliability of service
- comply with regulations and professional codes (such as MRS* Code of Conduct) in a cost-effective manner
- ensure research is carried out in full accordance with the Data Protection Act.
*Market Research Quality Standards Association (MRQSA) - this is an all-industry body which brings together a number of trade and professional bodies, including the MRS. MRQSA was set up to develop minimum standards for market research, data collection and data processing.