Codes & guidelines

The ICC/ESOMAR Code

ICC/ESOMAR Code (English)
PDF (281 Kb)

The ICC/ESOMAR Code on Market and Social Research, which was developed jointly with the International Chamber of Commerce, sets out global guidelines for self-regulation for researchers and has been undersigned by all ESOMAR members and adopted or endorsed by more than 60 national market research associations worldwide and is available in 15 languages.

ESOMAR has also issued notes to provide more detailed guidance on how to apply the ICC/ESOMAR International Code on Market and Social Research.

Guidelines

Guideline on Research via Mobile Phone

Guideline on Research via Mobile Phone: issued in June 2011
DOC (867 Kb)

Guideline on Research via Mobile Phone: issued in June 2011 (print version)
PDF (104 Kb)

Guideline on Social Media Research

Guideline on Social Media Research: issued in July 2011
DOC (292 Kb)

Guideline on Social Media Research: issued in July 2011 (print version)
PDF (131 Kb)

Guideline for Online Research: updated in August 2011

Distinguishing market research from other data collection activities
PDF (133 KB)

Passive data collection, observation and recording
PDF (156 KB)

Interviewing children and young people
PDF (147 KB)

Customer satisfaction studies
PDF (121 KB)

ESOMAR/WAPOR guide to opinion polls
PDF (393 KB)

How to Commission Research
PDF (262 KB)

Mutual rights and responsibilities of researchers and clients
PDF (133 KB)

Mystery shopping studies
PDF (136 KB)

26 Questions to help research buyers of online sample

Disciplinary procedures