The Insights Association has urged the federal government to add the market research ISO 20252 to the list of approved and accepted certifications for federal contractors.
The leading nonprofit for the market research, analytics and insights industry called upon the General Services Administration (GSA) on July 14, 2025 "to add ISO 20252 to the agency’s list of approved and accepted certifications for contractors and providers."
GSA is still listing outdated and irrelevant ISO certifications when seeking to acquire market research services. The agency "needs a measure of research transparency and quality for partners in the marketplace that can provide reassurance to the federal government in its procurement of market research, insights and analytics services. A key such measure is ISO 20252 (Market, Opinion and Social Research)," said IA.
As explained in IA's letter, "ISO 20252 addresses market research stakeholder needs and includes data practices, ethical requirements, and clauses on data management security. Processes outlined in ISO 20252 are designed to produce transparent, consistent, well-documented, and error-free methods of conducting and managing research projects. ISO eliminates any doubt in regard to an organization’s adherence to internationally recognized standards -- criteria that can be met in any myriad of ways, as it’s tailored to each applicant. The requirements of the global market research ISO standard are not easily met, and they may not make sense for all companies and organizations, but they can help GSA and other federal government agencies make decisions when considering research providers they can trust."
IA concluded that, "While ISO 9001 is accepted by the GSA and remains the global standard for quality management systems, its requirements are too generalized for market research and insights providers as they establish an ISO-compliant research process management system. The requirements of ISO 20252 have been developed by a committee of global experts, academics, and certification bodies to serve as industry-specific best practices. Adding ISO 20252 to GSA’s list of approved and accepted certifications will recognize that companies/organizations certified to ISO 20252 may make trusted partners in research studies. The Insights Association recently advised the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) in a similar vein."
For questions relating to certification, ISO 20252 and otherwise, contact Juliana Wood.
About the Author
Based in Washington, DC, Howard is the Insights Association's lobbyist for the marketing research and data analytics industry, focusing primarily on consumer privacy and data security, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tort reform, and the funding and integrity of the decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Howard has more than two decades of public policy experience. Before the Insights Association, he worked in Congress as senior legislative staffer for then-Representatives Christopher Cox (CA-48) and Cliff Stearns (FL-06). He also served more than four years with a science policy think tank, working to improve the understanding of scientific and social research and methodology among journalists and policymakers.
Howard is also co-director of The Census Project, a 900+ member coalition in support of a fair and accurate Census and ACS.
He has also served previously on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and and the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
Howard has an MA International Relations from the University of Essex in England and a BA Honors Political Studies from Trent University in Canada, and has obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) and the Public Policy Certificate (PPC).
When not running advocacy for the Insights Association, Howard enjoys hockey, NFL football, sci-fi and horror movies, playing with his dog, and spending time with family and friends.