ISO 17100-2015 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 17100:2015 — Translation services — Requirements for translation services. Specifies requirements for the core processes, resources and other aspects necessary for the delivery of a quality translation service and for demonstrating conformity of specified translation services to the standard.

Abstract

ISO 17100:2015 sets out requirements covering project management, translator and reviser competence, resource and infrastructure management, quality assurance (including validation and review), confidentiality and archival of materials. The standard is intended to help translation service providers (TSPs) deliver translations that meet client and other applicable specifications. The use of raw machine-translation output plus post‑editing is explicitly outside the scope of this standard.

General information

• Status: Published (reviewed and confirmed as current in 2020).
• Publication date: May 2015 (2015-05).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 01.020 — Terminology and other language and content resources.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (ISO 17100:2015); includes Amendment 1 (2017).
• Number of pages: 19 pages.

Scope

ISO 17100:2015 specifies requirements for all aspects of the translation process that directly affect the quality and delivery of translation services, including pre‑production (quoting and agreement), production (translation, revision, review workflows) and post‑production (validation, delivery and corrective action). The standard does not apply to interpreting services and excludes the use of raw machine translation output with post‑editing from its scope.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined core processes for quoting, acceptance, production, delivery and corrective action.
• Minimum qualification and competence requirements for translators, revisers, reviewers and project managers (including domain competence).
• Resource management: tools, reference material, terminology and technical infrastructure.
• Validation and quality assurance: mandatory revision by a second competent person and procedures for verification.
• Confidentiality, data handling and archival/retention of source and target materials.
• Requirements for service agreements and clear client–TSP interfaces (specifications, deliverables, timelines).
• Exclusion of raw machine-translation plus post‑editing from the standard’s scope (explicitly stated).

Typical use and users

Used by translation service providers (LSPs), in‑house corporate translation teams, procurement and quality managers, certification bodies and auditors, and clients who want to specify or require standardized quality processes for translation projects. Also used as a baseline for contractual terms and supplier assessment in language services procurement.

Related standards

EN 15038 is the principal predecessor to ISO 17100 and many provisions were carried forward into the ISO version. ISO 18587:2017 (post‑editing of machine translation output) is related but addresses post‑editing specifically; note that ISO 17100:2015 itself excludes raw MT + post‑editing from scope. ISO 17100:2015 has one published amendment (Amd 1:2017).

Keywords

translation services, translation quality, translation processes, translator competence, revision, project management, ISO 17100, language services, quality assurance, confidentiality.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17100:2015 is an international standard that specifies requirements for translation services — covering the core processes, personnel competence, resources and quality assurance measures needed to deliver a quality translation service.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers pre‑production (quoting and agreements), production workflows (translation, revision and review), resource management (tools, terminology, infrastructure), validation and delivery, confidentiality, archival and corrective actions. It explicitly excludes interpreting and the use of raw machine‑translation output plus post‑editing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Translation service providers, in‑house translation/linguistic teams, clients specifying translation requirements, procurement and quality managers, and certification/auditing organizations use ISO 17100 as a quality benchmark.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of its last ISO lifecycle review the 2015 edition was reviewed and confirmed in 2020 and remains the current published edition; work toward updates/revision activity has been underway in the standards community and stakeholder consultations have been reported in 2025, so a formal revision process is active. Users should check with their national standards body or ISO for the absolute latest status before assuming no changes.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within ISO/TC 37 (language and content resources) work and is related to other standards addressing translation and post‑editing (for example, ISO 18587 for post‑editing) as well as national/adopted regional standards derived from EN 15038.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Translation quality, translator competence, revision, project management, resource management, validation, confidentiality, ISO 17100.