Translation services

In a world where communication knows no borders, accurate and culturally appropriate translation is the key to connecting people, businesses, and governments across languages. As globalization accelerates, the demand for high-quality translation services has grown tremendously. However, maintaining consistency, accuracy, and professionalism in translation is not always easy. To address this challenge, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed ISO 17100:2015, the globally recognized standard that defines quality requirements for translation service providers (TSPs).

This standard helps organizations deliver translations that are accurate, reliable, and aligned with clients’ expectations — ensuring effective cross-cultural communication and long-term trust.

What is ISO 17100:2015?

ISO 17100:2015 is the international standard for translation services, setting out the requirements for core processes, resources, and competencies essential to deliver professional translation work. It specifies everything from translator qualifications and project management to revision procedures and client communication.

The standard was introduced to replace the earlier EN 15038 (a European standard), making ISO 17100 the universal benchmark for translation quality worldwide. Its purpose is not to define linguistic quality directly but to establish a structured management framework that ensures consistent quality outputs in every translation project.

ISO 17100 applies to translation service providers of all sizes, whether independent translators, agencies, or large language service companies.

Objectives of ISO 17100

The core objective of ISO 17100 is to create a consistent, reliable, and transparent framework for translation services. It ensures that all processes are properly planned, executed, and verified to meet client requirements. The main goals include:

• Enhancing the quality and accuracy of translation projects.

• Ensuring the competence and professionalism of translators, revisers, and project managers.

• Standardizing workflows and communication across the translation process.

• Building client trust by ensuring confidentiality and accountability.

• Encouraging continuous improvement in service quality and customer satisfaction.

Key Components and Requirements of ISO 17100

To be certified under ISO 17100, a translation service provider must meet a series of defined requirements covering human resources, processes, and quality management.

1. Qualified Human Resources

ISO 17100 sets clear criteria for translator competence. Translators must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• A recognized degree in translation, or

• An equivalent qualification in another field plus two years of professional experience in translation, or

• At least five years of professional translation experience.

Revisers, reviewers, and project managers must also demonstrate proven linguistic, technical, and subject-matter expertise.

2. Project Management

Effective project management is at the heart of ISO 17100. Each translation project must be properly planned, documented, and monitored. This includes:

• Understanding the client’s requirements and expectations.

• Selecting qualified translators and revisers.

• Managing timelines, terminology, and style consistency.

• Maintaining transparent communication throughout the process.

3. The Translation Process

The standard defines a clear four-step workflow for every project:

1. Pre-Production: Understanding client needs, setting project scope, and preparing resources.

2. Production: Translating the content using qualified translators.

3. Revision: Reviewing the translation by a second linguist to ensure accuracy and completeness.

4. Post-Production: Delivering the final translation, collecting client feedback, and making necessary improvements.

4. Quality Assurance and Confidentiality

ISO 17100 requires translation service providers to maintain strict quality assurance systems. This includes tracking project performance, handling client feedback, and implementing corrective actions when needed. Confidentiality is equally vital — all information, documents, and data must be securely handled and protected.

5. Client Relationship and Communication

Effective and transparent communication with clients is an essential requirement. Service providers must clearly define project parameters — including timelines, pricing, language pairs, format, and objectives — and keep clients informed about progress or issues that arise.

Benefits of ISO 17100 Certification

Obtaining ISO 17100 certification delivers a wide range of benefits for translation service providers and their clients.

1. Superior Translation Quality

The standard ensures that every translation is handled by qualified professionals and goes through proper revision. This leads to higher accuracy, consistency, and cultural relevance.

2. Increased Client Confidence

Clients can trust certified providers to follow globally recognized quality procedures, ensuring reliable and professional service delivery. This fosters long-term business relationships.

3. Streamlined Processes and Efficiency

Standardized workflows reduce errors, delays, and rework. With better planning and monitoring, organizations can deliver translations faster and more efficiently.

4. Competitive Advantage

Certification distinguishes a translation company from its competitors. Many clients and government tenders now prefer or require ISO 17100-certified providers, making it a strong marketing asset.

5. Risk Reduction and Legal Compliance

By defining confidentiality and documentation controls, ISO 17100 helps reduce legal risks related to data handling, intellectual property, and privacy.

6. Continuous Improvement

The standard promotes a culture of feedback, review, and improvement — ensuring that translation quality and service efficiency evolve with time and client needs.

How to Implement ISO 17100

Implementing ISO 17100 involves adopting a systematic approach to quality management in translation services. The general steps include:

1. Understanding the Standard: Familiarize yourself with ISO 17100 requirements and assess your current processes.

2. Gap Analysis: Identify areas where your operations fall short of the standard.

3. Process Development: Establish or improve documentation, workflows, and resource management systems.

4. Training: Ensure translators, revisers, and project managers meet qualification requirements and understand the standard.

5. Internal Audits: Review and test your systems to ensure compliance before certification.

6. External Certification Audit: Engage an accredited certification body to assess compliance and issue certification.

Who Can Benefit from ISO 17100?

• Translation Agencies: To ensure consistency, professionalism, and client trust.

• Freelance Translators: To demonstrate competency and adherence to international standards.

• Corporate Translation Departments: To standardize internal processes and vendor management.

• Government and Legal Organizations: To guarantee translation accuracy and confidentiality in official documents.

Conclusion

In an interconnected global economy, effective multilingual communication is vital — and quality translation is at the heart of that process. ISO 17100:2015 provides a robust, internationally recognized framework to ensure that translation services meet the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and professionalism.

By implementing ISO 17100, translation service providers not only enhance their internal efficiency and client satisfaction but also demonstrate their commitment to delivering trustworthy, high-quality language solutions. In a competitive industry where precision and credibility are everything, ISO 17100 certification is more than a badge of quality — it is a mark of excellence and global trust.