ISO 17100 is the international benchmark for translation quality. Understanding what this standard requires - and what it means when an agency claims to apply it - is essential for any buyer of professional translation services.
What is ISO 17100?
ISO 17100:2015 (Translation services - Requirements for translation services) is the globally recognised standard that defines the minimum requirements for the core processes, resources, and other aspects of a professional translation service. It replaces the earlier European standard EN 15038 and is published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). The standard was updated in 2024 with a revised edition that incorporates provisions for machine translation post-editing (MTPE), reflecting the growing role of AI in professional translation workflows.
ISO 17100 is not simply a quality checklist - it is a process framework. It specifies what a translation agency must do at every stage of a project: translator selection and qualification, project management, translation itself, revision by a second qualified linguist, proofreading, and final delivery. An agency that claims ISO 17100 compliance without independent certification may be self-declaring - a practice that TranslateBE views with caution.
What ISO 17100 requires: the key provisions
The standard's core requirements cover four main areas. First, human resources: translators must hold a recognised qualification in translation (such as a university degree in translation studies) and have demonstrable subject-matter competence. Second, pre-production: the agency must conduct a feasibility assessment for each project - confirming it has the resources to deliver within the agreed scope, time, and quality parameters. Third, production: the workflow must include both a translation step and an independent revision step performed by a different, equally qualified linguist - the so-called TEP workflow (Translation, Editing, Proofreading). Fourth, post-production: the agency must handle final verification, formatting, and delivery, and must have a process for managing feedback and complaints.
TranslateBE
ISO 17100-compliant translation services
TranslateBE applies ISO 17100 processes to every translation project - qualified translators, independent revision, and documented quality assurance for legal, medical, technical, and commercial content.
ISO 17100 certification versus compliance
There is an important distinction between an agency that is certified to ISO 17100 and one that claims to be compliant with it. Certification requires an independent audit by an accredited certification body - such as Bureau Veritas, SGS, or national certification authorities - followed by periodic surveillance audits. Compliance is a self-declaration with no external verification. Buyers of translation services who require the strongest guarantee of quality should ask to see the agency's ISO 17100 certificate, including its scope of certification and expiry date.
What ISO 17100 means for you as a translation buyer
ISO 17100 certification gives translation buyers confidence that the agency has been independently audited against rigorous quality requirements. It means your translation will be produced by a qualified translator and independently revised by a second qualified linguist - not simply self-checked by the translator alone. It provides a documented process trail that can be important in regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, legal, and finance where translation errors carry legal or safety consequences. TranslateBE applies ISO 17100 process standards to all sworn and specialist translations and is committed to full third-party certification.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does ISO 17100 cover machine translation?
The 2024 revision of ISO 17100 introduces provisions for machine translation post-editing (MTPE), defining the qualifications required for post-editors and the minimum quality steps for MTPE workflows. Standard machine translation without human post-editing does not meet ISO 17100 requirements. TranslateBE's MTPE service applies the standard's post-editing requirements as a minimum baseline.
Is ISO 17100 certification the same as having certified or sworn translators?
No. ISO 17100 is an organisational quality management standard for translation agencies and their processes. Certified or sworn translators are individual linguists who have been officially authorised by a court or government body to produce legally valid translations. Both matter: an ISO 17100-certified agency using sworn translators offers the highest level of assurance for legal documents.
How can I verify an agency's ISO 17100 certification?
Ask the agency to provide their ISO 17100 certificate, including the issuing certification body, the certificate number, the scope of certification (which services it covers), and the expiry/next audit date. You can then verify the certificate directly with the certification body. Be cautious of agencies that mention ISO 17100 but cannot produce a valid certificate.