CIRQ

CIRQ (the Certification Institute for Research Quality) is a specialized certification body headquartered in Washington, D.C. As a non-profit entity, CIRQ provides objective audit and certification services specifically tailored to the global market research and data analytics industries. The organization focuses on verifying that research firms maintain the highest standards of operational excellence and data security.

With a commitment to technical rigor, CIRQ maintains accredited status to deliver assessments against the following international standards:

• ISO 20252:2019 – Market, opinion, and social research, including insights and data analytics.

• ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – Information security management systems (ISMS).

By focusing on these core competencies, CIRQ serves as a vital resource for organizations seeking to demonstrate compliance and build trust with stakeholders. Their global reach ensures that research firms regardless of location can achieve professional certification through an auditing process designed by industry experts. This specialized focus eliminates the learning curve often found with generalist registrars and ensures a thorough, knowledgeable evaluation of research-specific protocols.