ISO 17100 – Translation services
Provide Expert Translation Services
- Ensure Superior Translation Services By Following Structured Quality Management Systems
- Boost Your Reputation By Achieving an Internationally Recognised Accreditation
- Ensure Continuous Improvement As You Work To Maintain Your Certification
- Acquire New Client and Build Brand Reputation
ISO 17100 OVERVIEW
Designed for the language services industry, ISO 17100 is an international standard which specifies requirements for the core processes, resources, and other aspects necessary for the delivery of a quality translation service. Regardless of whether your business is big or small, gaining and maintaining ISO 17100 certification shows that your organisation values the quality of its translations and is committed to maintain a consistently high standard of services. Using a holistic approach, ISO 17100 provides a standard of quality by which to measure their translation services.
ISO 17100 OVERVIEW
Designed for the language services industry, ISO 17100 is an international standard which specifies requirements for the core processes, resources, and other aspects necessary for the delivery of a quality translation service. Regardless of whether your business is big or small, gaining and maintaining ISO 17100 certification shows that your organisation values the quality of its translations and is committed to maintain a consistently high standard of services. Using a holistic approach, ISO 17100 provides a standard of quality by which to measure their translation services.
What are the benefits of achieving ISO 17100?
Gaining ISO 17100 accreditation does not simply ensure that your service is standardized but establishes your business as a leader in its industry. From consistently yielding high-quality services to demonstrating your trustworthiness to your stakeholders, organisations offering translation services should strive to gain this accreditation. To provide a deeper understanding of the profitable aspects of achieving this certification, here’s a list of its top benefits.
Enhanced Translation Quality
ISO 17100 is the certification that ensures consistently high-quality translations through standardized processes, qualified linguists, and rigorous quality checks.
Client Confidence
Achieving this ISO certification demonstrates a commitment to professional excellence, boosting trust and credibility with clients and stakeholders.
Business Growth and Competitive Advantage
It’s simple: ISO 17100 differentiates your business in the translation industry, opening new market opportunities and increasing global recognition.
What Topics Does ISO 17100 cover?
Published in 2015, the ISO 17100:2015 Translation Services Quality Management System remains the most recent and up-to-date version of this standard. Using a high-level system that allows it to be easily implemented alongside other ISO management systems, this standard follows the same ‘Plan-Do-Check-Act’ model which defines all of the revised ISO standards. The following shows a brief overview of the ISO 17100 standard, which consists of just six clauses with the four key clauses being:
- Human Resources: ensuring that your translators own the required qualifications and expertise.
- Pre-Production Process and Activities: ensuring that all systems are in place for processing and analysing applications, determining project viability, giving quotes and signing on clients.
- Production Processes: following all the requirements outlined in the standard throughout each step of the process.
- Post-Production Process: ensuring that the appropriate systems are set up for processing client feedback, evaluating client satisfaction and applying appropriate modification and taking corrective action when necessary.
Reap Results by Achieving Certification
Although achieving ISO 17100 accreditation is not a legal requirement, owning this certification says a lot about what type of business you are running. Adhering to this standard boasts inherent benefits but it also sends the right message to you clients, investors and competitors. Getting ISO 17100 certification proves that your organisation:
- Values the quality of its translation services
- Is compliant with statutes and requirements for translated content
- Understands the business related benefits of having good management systems in place.
- Is an industry leader which operates at a level of excellence by implementing the most up-to-date management standards.
Work with An Expert
For some companies, it might be tempting to read the standard and attempt to implement these processes without receiving any expert guidance. However, this is typically not enough to implement an efficient, long-term management system. A literal interpretation of this standard may easily create an overly bureaucratic management system, yielding the opposite results of what could otherwise be achieved. Instead of a structured system based on the smart analysis of data, you could easily end up with an overly complicated and inefficient system.
Instead, hiring an expert consultancy with years of experience is the best way to effectively meet your ISO standards. Make sure to choose an expert you trust, to provide you with a grounded approach that will simplify your life, rather than over-complicate it.
GET YOUR JOURNEY TO ISO CERTIFICATION FULLY FUNDED
As a Malta Enterprise approved advisor, Luke can help his clients reap the full benefits of currently available funding. Applicable to any business based in Malta, the Government of Malta’s current funding schemes have never been better. The precise amount depending on your company’s size and ownership structure.
For more information, simply get in touch for a free consultation session! Luke will help you to make the most of the best available funding incentives applicable to your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY IS ISO 17100 IMPORTANT?
Gaining ISO 17100 accreditation does not simply ensure that your service is standardised but establishes your business as a leader in its industry. From consistently yielding high-quality services to demonstrating your trustworthiness to your stakeholders, organisations offering translation services should strive to gain this accreditation.
How long will my ISO 17100 certification last?
Your ISO 17100 certification will need to be renewed after a period of three years. To maintain your certification, an assessment must be conducted once a year and recertification is issued every three years to ensure that your management systems continue to operate within the ISO 17100 required standards.
Does ISO 17100 use a high-level structure?
Yes, like other ISO standards that are concerned with different types of management systems - including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 - the ISO 17100 uses a high-level structure. This indicates that the ISO 17100 may be effortlessly integrated within any existing ISO management system.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO IMPLEMENT ISO 17100?
The amount of time it takes your company to earn your certification all depends on the size and complexity of your business. Luke will help you to make this process as swift and efficient as possible for your convenience.
DOES MY ORGANISATION NEED TO GET ISO 17100 CERTIFIED TO IMPROVE OUR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?
Whilst organisations can attempt to optimise their language service management systems without certification, ISO 17100 provides a structured approach which is sustainable and internationally trusted.
Does ISO 17100:2015 apply to interpreters?
No, this standard is for specifically for translation service providers, such as translation agencies and freelance translators.