ESOMAR Whips In Reps after Anderson's Dismissal

ESOMAR has revoked Tom Anderson's status as its US representative, following his public criticisms of the introduction of ISO quality standards to the US. The body is now urging its global representatives to sign a charter agreeing they adhere to its 'mission and values'.

In recent posts on his blog (www.tomhcanderson.com ) and on LinkedIn, Anderson has openly condemned the Council of American Survey Research Organizations' (CASRO) decision to establish a committee to audit US companies on their adherence to the ISO quality standards, ISO 20252 and 26362.

In one instance, Anderson wrote that: 'anyone who knows anything about the US market research business should know that ISO certification is unnecessary, wasteful and will fail'.

ESOMAR, which is a keen supporter of the quality standard, contacted Anderson to state that as one of its US representatives, his role should be to promote those standards which it supports. Then earlier this week, the body asked him to stand down from his role as East Coast representative.

Following this move, ESOMAR has now e-mailed all 82 country reps, requesting that each signs a charter which commits them to act in ESOMAR's 'best commercial, members' and international interests'.

Signing the charter also commits them to 'adhering to the mission and values of ESOMAR' in promoting professional standards and professional development, and to being willing to 'spend time and energy' in being an ESOMAR rep and maintaining the body's number of fully paid-up members.

DRNO has received a copy of the charter from an ESOMAR rep who describes himself as 'uncomfortable with the idea of signing it - both from a legal perspective and in principle'.

Web sites: www.esomar.org and www.casro.org .