UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018: Primary legislation governing how personal data must be collected, processed, and stored in market research activities. Includes requirements for data subject rights, lawful bases for processing, and international data transfers.
Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR): Regulations covering electronic communications, including rules about marketing communications, cookies, and electronic research methods.
Consumer Rights Act 2015: Legislation protecting consumer rights and defining obligations for businesses, relevant when conducting consumer-focused market research.
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008: Prohibits unfair commercial practices and sets standards for business-to-consumer interactions in research contexts.
Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008: Governs business-to-business marketing practices and prevents misleading advertisements, relevant for B2B market research.
MRS Code of Conduct: Industry-specific guidelines from the Market Research Society defining professional standards and ethical requirements for market research.
ICC/ESOMAR International Code: International standards for market and social research, providing ethical guidelines and professional standards.
Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977: Controls the use of unfair terms in contracts, particularly relevant for service agreements and research participant agreements.
Commercial Agents Regulations 1993: Regulations governing relationships with commercial agents who might be involved in market research activities.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988: Protects intellectual property rights in research outputs, methodologies, and materials.
Employment Rights Act 1996: Governs employment relationships if research involves hiring staff or contractors.
Equality Act 2010: Ensures non-discrimination in research practices and employment, promoting equality in research participation and employment.
Competition Act 1998: Prevents anti-competitive practices in market research activities and ensures fair market behavior.
Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018: Sets security requirements for digital systems and networks used in research data collection and storage.
Enterprise Act 2002: Provides framework for fair business practices and competition law, relevant for market research operations.
