• Self-regulation of unsolicited telephone surveys
• What does personal data entail exactly? - A European definition
• Barem Research International celebrates its 25th year with Quality Accreditations
• ASSIRM accepts Directive on Interviewing Physicians

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* Self-regulation of unsolicited telephone surveys

There are certain consumers who do not wish to receive items of unsolicited advertising; particularly if they are addressed to them personally.
The same applies to unannounced (telephone) market research; the exact opposite effect to what market researchers are in fact are looking to achieve.

Driven both by the pressure of public opinion and consumer organizations, systems are gradually being set up in an increasing number of countries, whereby consumers are able to indicate whether or not they are open to unsolicited advertising in the form of printed matter or sales conducted by telephone.

The market research sector is faced with a dilemma: sit back and see what happens, whilst risking the fact that legislators or consumer organizations may incorporate Direct Marketing and (telephone) market research under the same, or opt instead for pro-active self-regulation. The favoured option will be determined by local circumstances, whereby the priorities of legislators and association boards will in the end be the overriding factor. Efamro will keep you up to date regarding developments among its members as they happen; this time the focus is on the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has upheld an operational opt-out system for telephone market research since 2004. The infrastructure (INFOFILTER) was set up in conjunction with the Direct Marketing sector, and is in part financed by market research agencies.

In May 2007, some 5% of households declared they did not wish to be able to participate in market research by telephone. Of a total of 17% of the number of households that make use of the Infofilter, the number of market research opt-outs is limited.

In addition, it must be noted that after several years, the number of new market research opt-outs is showing a downward trend, and the aggregated total number of those opting out of participating in telephone market research is expected to remain stable at approximately 10 % of the total number of households by 2010.
 
This in all respects is an acceptable level when considering that the standard non-response is many times the aforementioned percentage level of 10%, and that these households would not have taken part in any case.

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* What does personal data entail exactly? - A European definition

At last the time had arrived for the document drawn up by the “Article 29 Data Protection Working Party” to be presented, providing insight into what precisely is meant by Personal Data.

This matter is generating a degree of uncertainty and vagueness within the member states of the European Union, which in turn can lead or has already led to divergence within legislation. A must-read for all those interested in data privacy issues. Downloads are available via the Efamro website under the tag: Recent

The document strongly emphasizes that the market research codes and guidelines are in essence in accordance with those definitions stipulated.

The most significant amendments are those concerning a widening of the definition of personal data.
This covers the following:
 
- Mood boards created by respondents
- Videotapes featuring footage whereby individuals are clearly recognizable
- Dynamic IP addresses
- Names of doctors when they are carrying out a patient diagnosis

All things considered, this is a document which should be read through carefully; it should be essential reading for those who have the task of formulating codes and guidelines, or who wish to verify government operations at local level when legislation is being drawn up on a certain issue.
An appeal to this directive can help strengthen your arguments.

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* Barem Research International celebrates its 25th year with Quality Accreditations

This coming October, Barem RI will be enjoying its 25th anniversary. In order to mark this exciting event, Barem RI has initiated a “total quality project” comprising several steps it intends to achieve by that date.
As a pioneering research company that has taken up a premier position due to its consistently high standards, Barem RI ensured they were the first agency in Turkey to receive an ISO 20252 certification. Barem Research International is therefore now elated to be able to announce that it was the first agency in Turkey to successfully complete the ISO 20252 accreditation for marketing & social research and field operations last April; joining the small number of agencies around the world so far to have achieved this.

Efamro congratulates Barem on this achievement and hopes that many agencies, not just in Turkey, but also in other parts of the world, will follow suit.

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* ASSIRM accepts Directive on Interviewing Physicians

For Assirm, the EFAMRO initiative to develop a directive for interviewing physicians was the reason for drawing up an Italian version of the proposed Efamro directive. The Italian directive is fully in line with the Efamro directive, but is more detailed, with a more pronounced emphasis on its execution, and has been adapted to local customs and regulations.

Constructive comments regarding the first EFAMRO draft version of the directive on Interviewing Physicians was provided by MRS and Syntec; this input was incorporated to help form a revised version. At this moment in time discussions are still being held in various other nations.

The key issues are as follows:
What can be constituted an acceptable remuneration level, and how can remuneration bias be prevented?
Can the interviews be conducted during working hours, or do these need to be carried out during the specialist’s own time?
When and by whom should emergency situations (adverse drug events) be reported?