efamro to Establish Plan for European Self-Regulation

Industry body efamro has agreed to establish a self-regulation system for conducting market, social, and opinion research across 15 countries in Europe.

Efamro (the European Research Federation) represents more than 900 research businesses, accounting for 28% of the global research industry, or EUR 6.4 billion. The organisation was set up with a remit to influence legislation and public opinion in favour of research, promote best practice, and enforce compliance with the principles of international standards.

Through its new initiative, efamro will develop or adapt national self-regulation schemes based on common principles, and supported by best practice guidelines.

The plan builds on work on standards and self-regulation it has undertaken since becoming part of the Global Research Business Network, which it helped establish with market research associations APRC and ARIA in April, to promote adherence to worldwide ethical research practices.

Andrew Cannon (pictured), efamro President, commented: '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 will be a conference for national associations to be held in Berlin in early 2013, hosted by ADM, the German national trade association.

Web site: www.efamro.eu .

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