MR Bodies Respond to EC Data Concerns

Market research trade associations efamro and ESOMAR have submitted a response to the European Commission (EC) regarding its consultation on the protection of personal data.

Last May the EC launched its review of the current Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC with its conference entitled 'Personal Data - more use, more protection?' Its consultation on the legal framework for the right to protect personal data was published in July, when feedback was requested on the challenges to protecting individuals' data.

efamro (The European Federation of Associations of Market Research Organisations) and ESOMAR (the World Association of Research Professionals) are leading the response on behalf of the European research sector. This follows a three-month consultation with stakeholders across market, social and opinion research, including 31 associations in 25 countries.

Their feedback to the EC highlights the issues relating to data protection and how they impact on research - including cloud computing, online data collection and the need for privacy by design in the development of new technologies.

'It is vital that we make a strong representation on this issue to protect all those engaged in the sector,' said efamro President Stig Holmer. 'Our priority is to ensure that current research exemptions are maintained and that, if the Commission decides to amend the legislation, research concerns are given proper consideration.'

Holmer added that the research industry already has 'robust' self-regulated codes, and that it is the responsibility of all research organisations to ensure they understand the legislation and implement it correctly.

The response can be found here: www.efamro.eu/Files/2009-12-17%20efamro-ESOMAR%20submission.pdf .

Web sites: www.efamro.eu and www.esomar.org .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.