ISO 17100 Certified Translation Services: Verified Quality

ISO 17100 certified translation services give you a verifiable, audit-ready path to consistent quality. This article explains what the standard covers, what it doesn’t, and how to evaluate providers with confidence.

How ISO 17100 certified translation services safeguard quality

ISO 17100 is the international benchmark for managing translation projects end-to-end. It defines how providers plan, resource, execute, and review work so outcomes are consistent and traceable. For regulated content or high-stakes communications, this structure reduces risk and creates predictable results.

The standard doesn’t replace expertise—it organizes it. By mandating role separation (translator ≠ reviser), documented specifications, and recorded decisions, it ensures the right people do the right tasks at the right time. That structure is why many buyers make ISO 17100 a supplier pre-requisite.

Certification also matters. An accredited auditor checks that the provider’s system meets the standard and is used in real projects. You aren’t just buying words—you’re buying a proven workflow. Learn more about our approach to ISO 17100 certification.

What ISO 17100 certified translation services cover in practice

At its core, ISO 17100 defines three phases: pre-production (scoping, file prep, terminology), production (translation and independent revision), and post-production (final verification and delivery). Each step has inputs, outputs, and responsibilities.

The standard also covers supplier qualifications, project records, confidentiality, and corrective actions. It does not dictate CAT tools or style choices; it ensures there’s a documented rationale behind them. When you request ISO 17100 certified translation services, you get a process designed to make quality repeatable, not accidental.

A practical sign of compliance is transparent resourcing: who translated, who revised, and what qualifications they hold. Another is feedback handling—comments aren’t just “fixed”; they’re logged, analyzed, and used to improve.

People, competencies, and roles defined by the standard

ISO 17100 requires qualified linguists and clear role separation. Translators must meet defined criteria (such as a translation degree or equivalent experience); revisers must be similarly competent and independent from the translator. Project managers coordinate resources, monitor risks, and ensure the agreed specification is followed.

A mature provider invests in continuous learning. See how we structure ongoing training for linguists and project managers. Training is paired with mentorship and periodic calibration—short sessions where teams compare sample outputs to align expectations.

Equally important is organizational competence. A certified translation company maintains up-to-date procedures, keeps records, and proves that its people can execute them. That’s the difference between ad-hoc success and repeatable excellence.

Workflow: from request to delivery

A compliant project starts with a specification: languages, target audience, purpose, files, reference materials, glossary preferences, and delivery format. Ambiguities are resolved upfront; risks (tight timelines, complex formats) are flagged with mitigation steps.

Production follows the “two-pair-of-eyes” principle. A qualified translator produces the draft; an independent reviser reviews the whole text for accuracy, terminology, and style. Changes are discussed and implemented; final verification checks formatting, completeness, and any client-specific requirements.

Turnarounds are planned, not guessed. Capacity, specialization, and review time are balanced to protect both deadlines and quality. When schedules compress, scope and risk treatments are adjusted openly—no hidden trade-offs.

Risk management, data protection, and traceability

ISO 17100 embeds risk thinking into routine work. Typical controls include vetted supplier pools, NDA coverage, secure file exchange, and version control. For sensitive data, access is limited, and audit logs show who did what, when. If something goes wrong, a corrective-action process finds causes and prevents recurrence.

Traceability is crucial. Each project keeps a record of resources, versions, terminology decisions, and approvals. This makes audits straightforward and helps teams learn from real projects. It also supports continuous improvement—see how we approach it in our continuous improvement program.

Clients benefit from this rigor even when projects are routine. With standardized checklists and review points, quality doesn’t depend on a single person’s memory.

How to verify a provider’s certification

First, ask for a current certificate and the name of the certifying body. Reputable providers will share the scope (e.g., which offices, which services) and the certificate’s validity dates. Second, request a brief summary of how ISO 17100 is applied in your projects—who translates, who revises, and what records you’ll receive.

Third, check your contract. Ensure the specification explicitly requires ISO 17100 compliance and independent revision. For extra assurance, ask for anonymized samples showing tracked changes between translation and revision.

Finally, look beyond the badge. A robust provider pairs certification with strong people practices and customer feedback loops. Explore our approach to certified translations and how we sustain quality as a certified translation company.

FAQ

Q1. What’s the difference between ISO 17100 and “certified translations” or sworn translations?

“ISO 17100” refers to a management standard for how a translation service provider runs projects. It governs qualifications, roles, and the translation-revision workflow. A “certified translation” is a document accompanied by a statement attesting that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the source; in some countries, sworn translators issue these statements under legal authority. The two concepts often overlap in client requests but are not the same.

In practice, ISO 17100 focuses on process quality, while certified/sworn translations address evidentiary needs. You can have a certified translation produced under ISO 17100 controls (common for legal filings), and you can also request non-certified deliverables under ISO 17100 (typical for technical manuals). The right mix depends on the document’s purpose, jurisdiction, and the evidence your stakeholders require.

Q2. How can I tell if a provider truly follows ISO 17100 on my project?

Start by asking for the certificate and scope, then look for operational signals. Your proposal should include an independent revision step, the names or roles of the translator and reviser, and how their qualifications meet the standard. You should also receive a clear specification (languages, purpose, terminology) and a post-delivery channel for feedback and corrections.

During delivery, evidence builds. Revisions are documented, version control is visible, and hand-offs are structured. If you ask for a change, the provider can explain decisions and update termbases or style guides accordingly. These are good signs the standard isn’t just on paper but embedded in day-to-day work.

Q3. Does ISO 17100 guarantee zero errors? What happens if issues are found?

No standard can eliminate human error, but ISO 17100 reduces the likelihood and impact. It does this by separating translation and revision, clarifying responsibilities, and keeping records. When issues occur, the standard expects a controlled response: verify scope, correct the text, analyze causes, and implement preventive measures so the same issue is less likely next time.

For clients, this means problems are handled transparently and systematically. You get a corrected file, a brief explanation of what changed and why, and—when appropriate—an update to glossaries or instructions. Over time, this cycle raises quality and reduces rework, which is a key aim of any robust quality system.

Q4. When should I insist on ISO 17100, and when is it optional?

Insist on it when content carries business or legal risk: regulatory submissions, medical content, contracts, safety materials, or anything with public visibility where accuracy is critical. The structured translation-revision workflow, qualification requirements, and traceability justify the investment and protect your organization.

For internal notes, exploratory drafts, or low-risk content with tight deadlines, you may choose a lighter process. Even then, many teams keep some ISO 17100 practices—like glossaries or independent spot checks—because they improve clarity and reduce future rework when content moves downstream.