The ISO 17100:2015 Quality Standard for Translation Services
ISO 17100 is the international standard that defines requirements for professional translation services, including qualified translators, independent revision (bilingual editing), project management, and documented workflows.
ISO 17100 Quality Standard – requirements for translation services
ISO 17100:2015 supersedes UNE-EN 15038:2006 (PDF) . The standard sets requirements for translation service providers (TSPs) regarding core process management, qualification criteria, resource management, and the actions needed to deliver consistent translation quality.
In practical terms, ISO 17100 specifies requirements for all aspects of the translation process that directly affect quality and delivery: from quoting and feasibility checks to revision, final verification, and customer feedback management.
What ISO 17100 covers
- Resources & competences: defines qualifications and professional competences for translators, revisers (bilingual editors), reviewers (monolingual editors), and project managers. Competences must be maintained and documented.
- Pre-production processes: requirements for quotation requests, enquiry handling and feasibility assessment, client-provider agreements, administration, technical project preparation, and linguistic specifications.
- Production process: translation project management, translation + self-check, independent revision by a second linguist, optional review (domain specialists) and proofreading, plus final verification and release by a qualified project manager.
- Post-production processes: client interaction, change requests, claims/feedback handling, customer satisfaction assessment, and documented project closure.
Translation + independent revision (bilingual editing)
A core element of ISO 17100 is the defined translation workflow. Translation is only one step in a controlled process. Quality is not ensured without independent revision by a second qualified linguist. ISO 17100 also clarifies the required competences of the participants: translators, revisers, and translation project managers.
Translator competences under ISO 17100 include translation competence, linguistic and textual competence in source and target languages, research and information processing, cultural competence, technical competence, and domain competence.
Minimum requirement under ISO 17100:2015: every translation service must include, at minimum, translation and revision (bilingual editing).
- Translation: a qualified translator translates the documents and performs a self-check after completing the initial translation.
- Revision (bilingual editing): a second person (not the translator) compares source and target content to ensure suitability for the agreed purpose and corrects issues before release.
Required competences of translators and revisers
ISO 17100 requires translation providers to work with translators who can provide documentary proof that at least one of the following applies:
- a recognised graduate qualification in translation from an institution of higher education;
- a recognised graduate qualification in another field plus two years of full-time professional translation experience;
- five years of full-time professional translation experience.
Translation degrees may have different names depending on the country (e.g., “Linguistic Studies” or “Modern Languages”). Revisers (bilingual editors) must meet the above criteria and have relevant experience in the subject area of the revision.
Why ISO 17100 matters for clients
- Predictable quality through defined processes and documented competences.
- Risk reduction thanks to mandatory independent revision (bilingual editing).
- Transparency in project setup, delivery, and post-delivery handling.
- Professional accountability via qualified project management and final verification.
FAQ: ISO 17100 in plain terms
Is ISO 17100 the same as “certified translations”?
No. ISO 17100 is a quality standard for the translation process. “Certified translations” usually refer to a legal or notarial certification process depending on country and purpose.
Does ISO 17100 always require revision?
Yes. ISO 17100 requires at minimum translation and independent revision (bilingual editing) by a second qualified linguist.
What replaced EN 15038?
ISO 17100:2015 superseded EN 15038 as the updated international standard for translation services.