Industry Code of Practice for Market and Social Research

Revised July 2015 - (Based on the ICC/ESOMAR International Code on Market and Social Research)

Purpose of the Code

This Code is designed primarily as a framework for self-regulation. It sets minimum standards of ethical conduct to be followed by all members and is to be applied against the background of applicable New Zealand and international law and of any stricter standards or rules that may be required in any specific market, e.g. Privacy Act, Commerce Act, Human Rights legislation, etc.

Research Association New Zealand members, through their membership, are bound by this Code, which is intended to fulfil the following objectives:

1. To set out the ethical rules which researchers (companies, individuals or clients) shall follow;
2. To enhance the public’s confidence in research by emphasizing the rights and safeguards to which they are entitled
   under this Code;
3. To emphasize the need for special responsibility when seeking the opinions of children and young people;
4. To safeguard freedom for researchers to seek, receive and impart information (as embodied in article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights);
5. To minimise the need for governmental and/or inter-governmental legislation or regulation;
6. To provide a framework by which complaints against Research Association New Zealand members can be heard.