The international standard that proves your translation agency delivers professional, quality-assured services. Required by 80%+ of enterprise RFPs and government tenders worldwide. Get certified in 2-4 weeks with our online audit process.
ISO 17100:2015, officially titled "Translation services — Requirements for translation services," is the definitive international standard for professional translation service providers. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it replaced the earlier European standard EN 15038:2006 and elevated translation quality requirements to a global level.
This standard establishes a comprehensive framework that covers every aspect of the translation production process, from initial client communication and project management through translation, revision, and final delivery. It specifies requirements for all aspects of the translation process that directly affect the quality and delivery of translation services, including provisions for translation service providers (TSPs) regarding the management of core processes, minimum qualification requirements, and the availability and management of resources.
Unlike generic quality management standards, ISO 17100 was developed specifically for the translation industry by language professionals and industry experts. It addresses the unique challenges of linguistic work: translator competence verification, the mandatory revision step by a second qualified linguist, technology requirements, and client feedback mechanisms.
In today's competitive language services market, ISO 17100 certification has become the single most important differentiator for translation agencies seeking enterprise clients. Here is why this standard has achieved its dominant position:
Before ISO 17100, the European standard EN 15038:2006 served as the primary quality benchmark for translation services. While EN 15038 was a significant milestone for the industry, it had limitations: it was primarily a European standard and lacked the global reach that an ISO standard provides.
ISO 17100 was developed by ISO Technical Committee TC 37 (Terminology and other language and content resources) and published in May 2015. It incorporated the best elements of EN 15038 while adding more rigorous requirements in several areas:
If your agency was previously certified under EN 15038, transitioning to ISO 17100 is a natural and relatively straightforward step. Your existing processes likely cover many of the requirements, and the gaps can typically be addressed through updated documentation and minor process adjustments.
From winning enterprise contracts to improving internal operations, ISO 17100 delivers measurable business value.
Fortune 500 companies and government agencies increasingly mandate ISO 17100 certification in their procurement requirements. Certification opens doors to contracts that were previously inaccessible, often worth significantly more than the certification investment.
Certification provides independent, third-party verification that your processes are robust, your translators are qualified, and your quality control mechanisms are effective. This eliminates the "trust me" factor and replaces it with documented evidence.
Certified agencies can justify and command higher rates for their services. Clients understand that certified translation comes with guaranteed quality processes, and they are willing to pay a premium for that assurance.
Qualified translators prefer to work with certified agencies. ISO 17100 certification signals that your organization values professionalism and quality, making it easier to recruit and retain the best linguists in the industry.
The implementation process forces you to document and standardize your workflows. This reduces errors, improves consistency, makes training new staff easier, and creates a scalable foundation for growth.
As an internationally recognized standard, ISO 17100 certification is your passport to global markets. It speaks the universal language of quality assurance regardless of where your clients are located, enabling you to compete effectively worldwide.
Understanding the seven key clauses that define the standard and what they mean for your agency.
Establishes a common vocabulary for translation services. Defines key terms like "translation," "revision," "review," "proofreading," "translator," "revisor," and "translation service provider." Ensures all parties share the same understanding of these critical concepts. This clause provides the foundation upon which all other requirements are built.
Covers three categories of resources: human resources (translator qualifications, revisor competences, project manager skills), technical resources (IT infrastructure, communication tools, data security), and technological resources (CAT tools, TMS, terminology databases). Translators must demonstrate competence through recognized higher education in translation or equivalent qualifications plus minimum professional experience.
Addresses everything that happens before translation begins: client enquiry handling, quotation preparation, project feasibility assessment, service level agreements, project preparation including style guides, glossaries, reference materials, and client instructions. This clause ensures proper planning and reduces issues during the production phase.
The heart of the standard. Covers the entire production workflow: translation (rendering source content into target language), check (translator self-review), revision (mandatory bilingual review by a second qualified linguist), review (optional monolingual target-language assessment), and proofreading (final check before delivery). The mandatory revision step is a cornerstone of ISO 17100.
Covers delivery, client feedback handling, archiving, and project closure. Requires systematic tracking and resolution of client complaints, corrective actions for identified issues, and proper storage of project materials for future reference. This clause ensures that quality improvement is continuous, not one-time.
Provides additional guidance on implementation including: pre-production task descriptions, added-value services (transcreation, localization, etc.), project registration, quotes and agreements, production and post-production task details, and technology considerations. These annexes are informative rather than normative but offer valuable implementation guidance.
From application to certificate, here is exactly what to expect when you certify with TranslationCert.
Start with our complimentary readiness assessment. We evaluate your current translation processes, documentation, and team qualifications against ISO 17100 requirements. You receive a detailed gap analysis report showing exactly what you need to prepare, with no obligation to proceed.
1-2 daysWe provide you with a comprehensive documentation package tailored to your agency. This includes process manuals, quality management procedures, translator qualification records templates, project management workflows, and all the documentation you need to demonstrate compliance. You customize these to reflect your actual operations.
3-5 daysOur consultants guide you through implementing any changes needed. This may include updating your project management workflows, establishing translator qualification verification procedures, setting up the mandatory revision process, or implementing client feedback mechanisms. We ensure everything aligns with ISO 17100 requirements.
1-2 weeksThe certification audit is conducted remotely by qualified auditors. We review your documented processes, verify translator qualifications, examine sample projects, and assess your quality management system. The online format eliminates travel costs and scheduling constraints while maintaining full audit rigor.
1-2 daysUpon successful audit completion, your ISO 17100 certificate is issued. You receive the official certificate document, permission to use the certification mark in your marketing materials, and listing in our certified providers directory. Your certification is valid for 3 years with annual surveillance audits.
2-3 daysCertification is an investment that delivers measurable returns across every dimension of your business.
Certified agencies report significantly higher win rates on enterprise proposals. Many procurement processes use certification as a pass/fail gate, meaning non-certified agencies never even reach the evaluation stage.
The mandatory revision process and structured workflows significantly reduce translation errors. Agencies typically see a measurable improvement in quality metrics within the first few months of implementing ISO 17100 processes.
Consistent, documented quality processes lead to higher client satisfaction and longer client relationships. Clients who work with certified agencies have the assurance that quality will remain consistent regardless of which project manager or translator is assigned.
Standardized workflows reduce confusion, eliminate redundant steps, and make it easier to onboard new team members. The documentation required by ISO 17100 serves as a living operations manual for your entire agency.
Certification enhances your brand reputation across the entire language services industry. It signals to clients, partners, and competitors that your agency meets the highest international standards for translation quality.
ISO 17100 processes create a repeatable framework that scales with your business. As you add new language pairs, service areas, or team members, the certified processes ensure quality remains consistent at any volume.
Everything you need to know about ISO 17100 certification for your translation agency.
With TranslationCert, the typical timeline is 2-4 weeks from initial application to certificate issuance. This includes the documentation review phase (3-5 days), any implementation adjustments (1-2 weeks), and the online audit itself (1-2 days). Agencies that already have well-documented processes can often complete certification in as little as 2 weeks. The timeline depends largely on your current state of readiness and how quickly your team can implement any recommended changes.
Yes, freelance translators can achieve ISO 17100 certification provided they meet the competence requirements outlined in the standard. These include a recognized higher education qualification in translation (a degree in translation studies or a related field) or equivalent qualifications combined with a minimum of five years of professional translation experience. Freelancers must also demonstrate they have processes in place for quality management, client communication, and the revision step (which may involve partnering with another qualified linguist for the mandatory bilingual review).
ISO 17100 certification is not legally mandatory in any jurisdiction. However, it is practically required for most enterprise and government work. Over 80% of enterprise procurement departments and government agencies either require or strongly prefer ISO 17100 certified providers when selecting translation vendors. Without certification, you may find yourself excluded from the most lucrative contract opportunities. In regulated industries like pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and legal services, clients almost universally require certified translation providers.
Certification costs vary based on several factors including the size of your organization, the number of language pairs covered, the scope of services, and your current level of process maturity. TranslationCert offers competitive pricing tailored to agencies of all sizes, from individual freelancers to large LSPs. We recommend starting with our free pre-assessment, which gives you a clear picture of your readiness and the specific investment required. Contact our team for a personalized quote with no obligation.
ISO 17100 certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. During this period, annual surveillance audits are conducted to ensure your agency continues to maintain compliance with the standard's requirements. These surveillance audits are less extensive than the initial certification audit and focus on verifying ongoing compliance and continuous improvement. After the 3-year cycle, a full recertification audit is required to renew your certificate for another 3-year period.
ISO 17100 replaced EN 15038 in 2015. While EN 15038 was a European standard with primarily European recognition, ISO 17100 is an international standard recognized globally in over 160 countries. ISO 17100 expanded on EN 15038 by adding more detailed requirements for translator competences (more specific education and experience criteria), technology resources (CAT tools, TMS, data security), and project management processes (feasibility assessment, pre-production planning). If you were previously certified under EN 15038, transitioning to ISO 17100 is straightforward as the core principles are similar, with enhancements in several areas.
While having a copy of the official standard can be helpful for reference, it is not required when working with TranslationCert. Our certification process includes comprehensive guidance on all requirements, and our documentation package covers everything you need to achieve and maintain compliance. We translate the standard's requirements into practical, actionable steps tailored to your specific agency setup.
Absolutely. ISO 17100 is frequently combined with other relevant standards for a more comprehensive certification portfolio. Common combinations include ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 18587 (Machine Translation Post-Editing), and ISO 21999 (Translation Quality Assurance). TranslationCert offers bundled certification packages that make it efficient and cost-effective to pursue multiple certifications simultaneously. Many agencies start with ISO 17100 as their foundational certification and then add complementary standards over time.