Australian Association Launches 'Trustmark'

Australian research body AMSRO has launched a 'Trustmark', guaranteeing its members' adherence to ethical standards including data protection and respect for privacy.

AMSRO (the Association of Market & Social Research Organisations) announced the launch at its Leaders Forum in Sydney. The Association is celebrating its quarter-century this year, and has recently redeveloped its 11-year-old code of conduct and released a draft Market and Social Research Privacy Code 2014 for public consultation.

To win the Trustmark, members must adhere to the Market & Social Research Privacy Code and the AMSRS Code of Professional Behaviour, and must also hold the ISO 20252 International Standard. An independent ISO audit will back up the standard, and holders must also participate in ongoing member training.

AMSRO President Nicola Hepenstall (pictured), who also serves as Hall & Partners Open Mind MD, said: 'At its heart, the AMSRO Trustmark reduces risk for both buyers of research and people who engage in research... The new Privacy Amendment Act, which came into effect on March 12, together with the redevelopment of AMSRO's own Privacy Code, means that it is the right time to launch our Trustmark. The appetite for data from business and government to guide critical decision- making has never been greater, so it's more important than ever that buyers of research are assured they are working with legitimate research professionals they can trust.'

Hepenstall says the association has a ten-year record without a privacy breach, and adds: 'We have worked collaboratively with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at every step. The public consultation is the final step in having our code approved by the Commissioner and ready to go.'

The body's web site, including a copy of the consultation draft, is at www.amsro.com.au .

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