ISO Certification

Company Certification

Why Seek Certification to ISO Quality Standards?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies, recognized globally as the authority on quality management. The Insights Association encourages companies to become certified to the ISO standards designated applicable to the market research and insights industries as a pathway to increasing data quality across the project lifecycle.

WHICH ISO QUALITY STANDARDS SHOULD IA members CONSIDER?

ISO 20252 – Market Research Standard
The ISO Research Standard (ISO 20252 - Market, Opinion and Social Research, including Insights and Data Analytics) can provide tangible benefits to marketing research and analytics companies, to the clients of research companies, and to the general public.

ISO 27001 – Information Security Standard
ISO 27001 is the most widely recognized and internationally accepted information security standards. ISO 27001 provides a framework for companies to manage their data security, establishing requirements for information controls regarding people, processes and technology. 

what is the certification institute for research quality (CIRQ)?

CIRQ is a subsidiary of the Insights Association, established to provide assessment and certification services to market research firms seeking certification to ISO 20252:2019 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022. A non-profit entity, CIRQ is committed to providing timely, thorough, and impartial assessments of its customers' research process management or information security management systems in regard to certification to corresponding standards.

CIRQ was established in compliance with all ISO requirements for certification bodies that provide auditing and certification services and is fully accredited by ANSI’s National Accreditation Board (ANAB). To conform to its mandate of objective and impartial audits to these ISO standards, CIRQ is independently operated and managed under the oversight of an independent Board of Directors and undergoes annual reviews through ANAB assessments, a requirement for accredited certification bodies.

While it serves clients worldwide, CIRQ remains the only established certification body in the US to provide these services. 

To learn about audit and certification services for your business, visit CIRQ here or contact Juliana Wood at juliana.wood@cirq.com or 202-370-6318.

  • What is CIRQ?
  • Market Research Standard
  • Information Security Standards
  • ISO 20252 Implementation Support
The Certification Institute for Research Quality, also known as CIRQ, is a subsidiary of the Insights Association. It was established to provide assessment and certification services to market research firms seeking certification to ISO 20252:2019 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022. A non-profit entity, CIRQ is committed to providing timely, thorough, and impartial assessments of its customers' research process management or information security management systems in regard to certification to corresponding standards.
 

To conform to its mandate of objective and impartial audits to these ISO standards, CIRQ is independently operated and managed under the oversight of an independent Board of Directors and undergoes annual reviews through ANAB assessments, a requirement for accredited certification bodies.

While it serves clients worldwide, CIRQ remains the only established certification body in the US to provide these services.

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Market Research Standard

The ISO Research Standard (ISO 20252 - Market, Opinion and Social Research, including Insights and Data Analytics) can provide tangible benefits to marketing research and analytics companies, to the clients of research companies, and to the general public.
 

WEBINAR: Getting to Know the ISO 20252 Standard
Learn about the preparation, process, and many benefits of certification from those who have done it. Featuring Jessica Santos, Global Compliance and Quality Director, Oracle Life Sciences (fmr Kantar Health & Cerner Enviza) & Eric Thomas, Senior Group Operations Director, Naxion.

For questions, program support and invoicing options, contact Juliana Wood, CIRQ's Managing Director at juliana.wood@cirq.com or 202-370-6318.

To learn more about how ISO 20252 can increase data quality across our industry, visit cirq.org/qualityforall

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Information Security Standards

ISO 27001 is the most widely recognized and internationally accepted information security standard. ISO 27001 provides a framework for companies to manage their data security, establishing requirements for information controls regarding people, processes and technology.

As a first step to any implementation, purchasing the standard is key to the process. Please visit the ANSI webstore to secure a copy of:

  • ISO 27001:2022: Information security management systems*
  • ISO 27002:2022: Normative reference to ISO 27001

Need a recommendation? We’re happy to recommend an Expert Information Security Consultant!

An information security management system (ISMS) consultant can be a valuable resource to help with an implementation timeline, and we can recommend providers who have worked with company members through their successful audit and certification.

WEBINAR:  Keeping your Client Data Safe: Updates to ISO 27001 & ISO 27002
In late 2022, the global information security management system standard (ISO 27001), and the standard that serves as its normative reference (ISO 27002), were updated. Learn how changes to ISO 27001:2022 effect certified companies and those thinking about getting certified from Juliana Wood, Managing Director, Certification Insititute for Research Quality (CIRQ), and Ron Bernard-Rivera, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor for CIRQ.
 
WEBINAR:  Getting to Know the ISO 27001 Information Security Standard
Learn about the preparation, process, and many benefits of certification from those who have done it - featuring Bill Baird, Chief Security Officer, Phoenix Marketing International & Chanttel Allen, Managing Director, The Olinger Group.
 


For questions, program support and invoicing options, contact Juliana Wood, CIRQ's Managing Director at juliana.wood@cirq.com or 202-370-6318.

*Note: ISO 27001:2013 audit and certification services will be offered through March 2024. After that time, new clients interested in audit and certification are required to certify to ISO 27001:2022. If you represent a company implementing the 2013 version of the standard, and need guidance on the requirements to ensure your system is ISO 27001:2022 compliant and ready to schedule an Initial Certification Audit, contact CIRQ today for assistance.

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ISO 20252 Implementation Support

How does IA/CIRQ make ISO 20252 implementation easier?

IA and CIRQ have eliminated one of the biggest hurdles to initiating ISO 20252 implementation. The Research Process Management System Quality Manual demystifies the ISO implementation process, helping organizations understand how their current processes, procedures, management, personnel and business services align with those required for compliance to the standard.

Research Process Management System Quality Manual


The manual’s template provides everything needed to customize the document to establish a system that provides consistent and reproduceable results.

The template offers step-by-step guidance on how to implement the standard with pro tips from the CIRQ auditor team. This includes embedded templates regarding processes and procedures, in language that maps directly to the standard and ensures a high likelihood of a successful external review. The template is delivered as a Word document, with no extraneous graphics to edit. It is intended to be individualized!

Internal Auditor Training Program

The Internal Auditor Training Program helps companies fulfill the requirement for internal compliance personnel, a key component to ISO 20252 conformity and organizational success. Developing personnel as internal auditors ensures companies identify and remediate deviations from the standard’s requirements before a formal external review. Additionally, internal auditors achieve a deeper subject matter expertise of the standard, increasing responsibilities and value as quality and compliance managers.

The program’s modular on-demand training includes short assessments that test the user’s knowledge about the requirements of ISO 20252 and ISO 27001. It also includes a deep review of auditor theories and competencies and includes Risk Rating Matrix and Internal Audit Report templates, customizable to your company’s compliance needs.

Upon successful completion of the program, users are issued certificates that document their grasp of audit techniques. They are now ready to conduct the required internal audits for compliance and certification.

CIRQ’s ISO 20252:2019 program is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board to ISO 17065:2012, the ISO standard for certification bodies that provide auditing and certification services.

To learn about audit and certification services for your business, visit CIRQ here or contact Juliana Wood at juliana.wood@cirq.com or 202-370-6318.

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