The ISO 17100 /2015 Translation Services Standard

The ISO 17100:2015 International Standard specifies requirements for all aspects of the translation process directly affecting the quality and delivery of translation services. It includes provisions for Translation Service Providers (TSPs) concerning the management of core processes, minimum qualification requirements, the availability and management of resources, and other actions necessary for the delivery of a quality translation service.

Application of ISO 17100:2015 also provides the means by which a translation service provider (TSP*) can demonstrate conformity of specified translation services to ISO 17100:2015 and the capability of its processes and resources to deliver a translation service that will meet the client's and other applicable specifications. Applicable specifications can include those of the client, of the TSP itself, and of any relevant industry codes, best-practice guides, or legislation.

The Standard covers

1. Professional competences of translators:

   • Translation competence

   • Linguistic and textual competence in the source language and the target language

   • Competence in research, information acquisition, and processing

   • Cultural competence

   • Technical competence

   • Domain competence

2. Translator qualifications:

   • The TSP will obtain documented evidence that the linguists can meet at least one of the following criteria:

     • a recognised graduate qualification in translation from an institution of higher education;

       or

     • a recognised graduate qualification in any other field from an institution of higher education plus two years of full-time professional experience in translating;

       or

     • five years of full-time professional experience in translating.

3. Competence of translation project managers

4. Recording regular maintenance and updating of required competences

5. Technical and technological resources

The Process

1. Pre-production processes and activities:

1. Enquiry and feasibility

2. Quotation

3. Client-TSP agreement

4. Handling of project-related client information

5. Project preparation

2. Administrative activities:

1. Project registration

2. Project assignment

3. Technical aspects of project preparation:

1. Technical resources

2. Pre-production activities

3. Linguistic specification

4. Source language content analysis

5. Terminology

6. Style guide

4. Production process:

1. Translation service project management

2. Translation

3. Check

4. Revision

5. Review

6. Proofreading

7. Final verification and release

5. Post-production processes:

1. Feedback

2. Closing administration