Belgian and Swiss MR Bodies Join efamro

The Belgian Federation of Market Research Institutes (Febelmar) and the Swiss Market and Social Research Association (vsms-asms) are the latest trade bodies to join the European Research Foundation (efamro).

Febelmar was founded in 1980 and represents 33 research businesses, while vsms-asms was founded in 1998 and represents 34 research businesses and more than 300 individual researchers.

efamro has a remit to influence legislation and public opinion in favour of research, while promoting best practice, and enforcing compliance with the principles of international standards. The body represents 900 research businesses across fourteen countries, which account for 28% of the global research industry's revenue, or EUR 6.4 billion.

Earlier this month, efamro agreed to establish a self-regulation system for conducting market, social and opinion research across fifteen countries in Europe.

Commenting on the latest expansion, efamro President Andrew Cannon (pictured) says: 'efamro members are developing a comprehensive programme of work to support national associations, so that they can be as effective as possible in serving their members. We are delighted by this vote of confidence from Febelmar and vsms-asms and I wholeheartedly welcome them to the federation.'

Association Presidents Johan Schockaert (Febelmar) and Roland Rosset (vsms-asms) say efamro will provide a platform for their members to share ideas and best practices with other national federations and members.

Web sites: www.efamro.eu , www.febelmar.be and www.vsms-asms.ch .