MRS Adds 'International Affiliate' Status

In the UK, the MRS (Market Research Society) has launched a new designation, 'International Affiliate', intended as a sign of research excellence and standards observance for research businesses and client side research teams operating outside the UK.

The mark builds on the MRS Company Partner accreditation, and indicates that the Society believes an organisation is operating best practice in research and insight delivery. MRS Affiliates can use an appropriate logo, access online training and development programmes, and receive expert advice about data privacy and codes of conduct. International Affiliates will be required to support their local research association, to promote standards in their national market; and to employ at least one MRS Certified Member.

CEO Jane Frost comments: 'Maintaining the highest-possible standards is critical for building and preserving trust in research and insight and ensuring its long-term commercial success. This new recognition, alongside our MRS Company Partners Accreditation, acts as a marker of industry excellence and means projects can be commissioned with the upmost confidence'.

The MRS recently formed an international triumvirate of research organisations with its Australian and US counterparts; and is a founder member of the Global Research Business Network (GRBN). In 2013 MRS launched the Fair Data trust mark that demonstrates which organisations handle their customers' personal data fairly.

The Society is online at www.mrs.org.uk .