Self Regulation

The associations of efamro, the European Research Federation, have agreed to build a European self regulation system for market, social and opinion research. The decision taken in Warsaw this week will lead to comprehensive and co-ordinated self-regulation of research across 15 countries.

The plan calls for the development or adaption of national self-regulation schemes based on common principles and supported by best practice guidelines. These schemes will in turn be linked by a cross border complaints mechanism. The plan builds on work on standards and self regulation undertaken by efamro since April 2012 as part of the Global Research Business Network.

Andrew Cannon, efamro President, commented, “Comprehensive, robust and consistent self regulation is key to the continued success and development of the European market research sector. Self regulation at the national level is the foundation of our approach for three reasons: members of the public can complain, and researchers can receive advice, in their national language; codes can be drafted and applied with confidence according to national legislation; and, it builds local knowledge and experience, spreading knowledge of best practice across Europe, rather than concentrating it in a central body.”

The next stage of development will be a conference for national associations to be held in Berlin in early 2013, hosted by ADM, the German national trade association.