As machine translation and artificial intelligence continue to reshape the translation industry, ISO 18587 — the international standard for post-editing machine translation (PEMT) — is undergoing a significant update. This ISO 18587 update aims to reflect the evolving landscape of AI-assisted translation and ensure quality and consistency in post-editing processes. At ATC Certification, we specialise in certifying language service providers to ISO standards such as ISO 17100 and ISO 18587. This blog aims to keep you informed about the upcoming changes and how they may impact certification and compliance activities.
Why the ISO 18587 Update is Needed
The original ISO 18587 standard was published in 2017, and since then the use of machine translation (MT) — especially neural machine translation — has become mainstream. What was once considered innovative is now integral to translation workflows.
The ISO 18587 update recognises this shift and addresses several challenges:
- Lack of clarity about what qualifies as MT output.
- Ambiguity between light and full post-editing.
- Rising complexity due to AI and hybrid workflows.
As a result, ISO’s TC37/SC5 committee, which oversees translation and interpreting standards, has initiated a formal revision of the standard.
What’s Staying the Same?
The foundation of ISO 18587 remains unchanged:
- It still applies to human post-editing of machine translation output.
- The focus remains on full post-editing, not light post-editing.
- The standard continues to exclude raw MT output and human-only translation processes.
This means that organisations already certified to ISO 18587 will find much of the core structure familiar.
What’s New in the ISO 18587 Update?
Here are the key updates outlined by ISO 18587 Project Leader Eva-Maria Tillmann at an ISO TC 37/SC 5 and EUATC webinar in February 2025:
1. Clarified Terminology
New definitions will help eliminate confusion:
- Clear distinction between machine translation, AI-generated output, and post-editing tasks.
- New terminology related to multimodal content, hybrid workflows, and human-in-the-loop processes.
2. Alignment with ISO 17100
The revised ISO 18587 will better align with ISO 17100, which governs human translation services. This includes shared terminology, competence requirements, and process steps.
3. Emphasis on Professional Competences
Updated competence requirements will stress that post-editors must have the same linguistic skills as professional translators, with additional training in PEMT workflows. The standard will also recommend ongoing training to keep pace with AI tools.
4. Technology Integration
New clauses will address:
- Use of AI and MT engines.
- Managing client expectations around post-edited quality.
- Quality control processes tailored for AI-assisted content.
5. Improved Process Description
The revised standard will describe post-editing as a multi-step process:
- Pre-editing (optional).
- MT output evaluation.
- Post-editing (full).
- Final review and quality assurance.
This provides greater transparency and traceability for auditors and clients alike.
What Does This Mean for Language Service Providers?
If your organisation is certified to ISO 18587 — or you’re considering certification — this ISO 18587 update presents both opportunities and obligations. The standard’s revision process will take some time yet, and there will be a further transition period even after the final version is published, so you will have time to review and adjust your processes and workflows.
However, it pays to stay in the know, and one of the first ones to adopt the revised standard!
✅ Be proactive: Begin reviewing your PEMT processes as soon as the revised standard is published, and ensure they reflect the new best practices.
✅ Invest in training: Upskill your post-editors to ensure compliance with the revised competence requirements.
✅ Talk to your certification body: ATC Certification will guide you through the transition process once the updated standard is officially published.
What’s Next?
The ISO 18587 update is currently under revision, with the next stages including:
- Committee draft (CD) review.
- Draft International Standard (DIS) release for public comment.
- Final standard publication (estimated in late 2025 or early 2026).
We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide further updates as the revision progresses.
Stay Certified, Stay Competitive
At ATC Certification, we’re committed to supporting the language services industry with impartial, expert auditing. Our auditors are specialists in the translation and localisation sector — and we only certify language service providers.
If you have any questions about how the ISO 18587 update may affect your certification, contact our team today.
