CIRQ, an accredited International Organization for Standardization (ISO) audit and certification body and subsidiary of the Insights Association, has announced that ICF has been recertified to the ISO 20252:2019 Standard—Market, opinion and social research, including insights and data analytics. ICF originally achieved certification in August 2017, and the new certification extends through August of 2029.
ISO 20252 addresses market research stakeholder needs and includes requirements related to research processes, data practices and project management. The internationally recognized standard establishes consistent terminology and service requirements designed to support transparent, well-documented and quality-focused approaches to conducting and managing research.
ICF provides full-service quantitative and qualitative survey research services to government, commercial and nonprofit clients, primarily in the United States. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, ICF’s certification covers its domestic survey research practices, including remotely managed survey research operations and data collection activities conducted through secure remote work environments throughout the United States.
ICF’s certification encompasses four areas of the ISO 20252:2019 standard: sampling, including access panels; fieldwork; self-completion; and data management and processing, in accordance with Annexes A, B, E and F. Its certified research capabilities include probability and non-probability sampling; telephone and face-to-face interviewing; qualitative participant recruiting; online/web, IVR, text and mail/paper surveys; and comprehensive data management and processing services.
“We’re proud to earn our ISO 20252 recertification, reinforcing our commitment to delivery excellence in survey research,” said James Dayton, ICF senior vice president for survey research. “Maintaining this globally recognized standard validates the strength of our research processes and gives clients confidence in our ability to provide high-quality, reliable, secure and transparent research services aligned with industry best practices.”
“ICF’s continued ISO 20252 certification demonstrates a sustained commitment to quality and consistency across its survey research operations,” commented CIRQ Managing Director Juliana Wood. “Maintaining certification over nearly a decade requires more than strong processes—it requires an organization-wide commitment to continually applying and upholding internationally recognized research standards.”
ICF is a leading global solutions and technology provider. With decades of academic rigor and project experience across all 50 states, the company combines deep industry expertise with leading-edge technologies and advanced analytics to deliver high-quality research on time and on budget, helping clients make smarter, more informed decisions.