NEWS19 May 2010
US— The Council of American Survey Research Organisations (Casro) has formed an independent subsidiary to audit and certify US research companies wishing to comply with the international market research standards ISO 20252 and 26362.
The ISOs set minimum quality standards for the most common survey processes, with ISO 26362 relating specifically to online and offline access panel research.
Neither standard has yet gained a strong foothold in the US, though uptake has been noticable among international research groups and in certain countries in Europe and Asia.
Casro president Diane Bowers told Research in an interview last year that “for companies involved in international research [the ISO] is a very important credential to consider, particularly when working with international clients”.
As well as launching the Casro Institute for Research Quality as an ISO certification body, Casro said it had also developed a number of educational and informational services to help companies prepare for certification.
Bowers said: “These new services are in line with our mission to help member companies improve their businesses and expand their presence internationally.”