ISO 20252 is the verification mark for organizations dealing in Market, Opinion, and Social Research, guaranteeing that organizations comply with quality standards and adopt best practices in their research processes. To achieve certification to ISO 20252, the following steps are involved:
Step-1. Get acquainted with the standard: Acquire familiarity with the full contents of the ISO 20252 standard. It sets out the requirements for quality management in market research processes pertaining to the topics of research design, data collection, processing, and reporting.
Step-2. Evaluation of your company’s present practices: Further, assess your organization’s current practices versus those defined in the standard in order to assess your quality management system (QMS) against the requirements of ISO 20252 Certification and to develop a set of overriding practices that exist in certain sections of ISO 20252.
Step-3. Set up a quality management system (QMS): You would need to create such a system if there were no existing quality management systems for your organization meeting the requirements of ISO 20252. Such a system will have to include policies and procedures that will guarantee quality at each and every stage of the research project.
Step-4. Document Processes: Standardized documentation is mandatory under the regulations. Therefore, document procedures, protocols, and processes related to all research work, including design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Step-5. Make Changes and Train Staff: Implement all changes related to findings from the gap analysis. Ensure all staff involved in any Research processes have full understanding and ISO training concerning the new or updated procedures by ISO 20252.
Step-6. Conduct Internal Audits: Carry out internal audits to assess compliance with ISO 20252 in the processes before applying for certification. Non-conformities need to be corrected, ensuring that the QMS is running effectively.
Step-7. Select a Certification Body: The body for certification will be accredited and will operate with ISO certifications. Expect the certification body to check that your organization meets the requirements of the ISO 20252 standard.
Step-8. The Certification Audit: The body certifier will audit your QMS, review your documentation, observe processes, and interview staff. It will evaluate whether your company complies with the ISO 20252 standard.
Step-9. Corrective Actions (if warranted): If there are any non-conformities or weaknesses during the audit, you will have to take corrective actions to address them. After resolution, the certifying body will do a follow-up to check on the satisfactory handling of the issues.
Step-10. Become Certified: If the audit is successful, and your processes fulfill ISO 20252 requirements, you will be issued certification. This certification is generally valid for three years and will be subject to periodic audits for maintenance.
Step-11. Continual Improvement: After certification, ensure your compliance by routinely reviewing and improving your processes. This guarantees that you will continue to conform to ISO 20252 and any changes or amendments thereof.
Following these steps will prove useful to your organization's attainment of ISO 20252 certification, thus increasing your credibility in the market research field.
