The language services sector is changing fast and while translation and interpreting remain core services, they are no longer the whole story. Clients now expect content that is clear, usable, culturally appropriate and effective across channels and audiences. This is where the ISO 24495 series on Plain Language fits squarely into the modern compliance landscape for language service providers (LSPs).
For organisations already familiar with specialist standards such as ISO 17100 and ISO 18841, the ISO 24495 series should be seen not as a replacement, but as a complementary framework that reflects how language services are evolving.
What is the ISO 24495 Plain Language series?
The ISO 24495 series establishes internationally recognised principles and practices for producing clear, accessible and effective written communication. In simple terms, plain language means information that users can find, understand and use the first time they encounter it.
The series is modular, covering both high-level principles and more detailed guidance on applying plain language in real-world contexts. Its relevance is growing as organisations face increasing regulatory scrutiny, digital transformation pressures and expectations around accessibility and inclusion.
For language service providers, this matters because plain language is no longer “nice to have”. It is becoming a baseline expectation in regulated industries, public sector work, healthcare, finance and global corporate communications.
How ISO 24495 aligns with ISO 17100 and ISO 18841
Standards such as ISO 17100 and ISO 18841 focus on the quality, competence and management of translation and interpreting services. They define requirements for processes, resources, professional competence and quality assurance.
The ISO 24495 series addresses a different but related question: is the source or target content actually fit for purpose?
In practice, these standards work best together:
- ISO 17100 ensures that translation processes are controlled, repeatable and delivered by competent professionals.
- ISO 18841 ensures that interpreting services meet defined professional and ethical requirements.
- ISO 24495 supports the creation and adaptation of content that is clear, user-focused and effective before, during and after translation.
As a result, LSPs that integrate plain language principles into their workflows are better positioned to deliver value beyond literal translation. They reduce rework, improve client satisfaction and support better outcomes for end users.
The shift towards localisation and creative language services
Many language service providers are expanding into localisation, transcreation, content adaptation and multilingual content strategy. This reflects a hard truth that direct translation is being overtaken by machine translation and AI tools. While the quality of the output may not be as high as a human translator, clients are turning to these techniques due to the cost and speed benefits.
Plain language standards directly support the industry’s positive shift towards creative services. They provide a structured, internationally recognised way to design and assess content that works across languages and cultures. This is particularly relevant where LSPs are asked to:
- Simplify complex regulatory or technical content
- Adapt content for different literacy levels or user groups
- Support accessibility, inclusion and user experience objectives
- Collaborate earlier in the content lifecycle, not just at the final translation stage
From a compliance perspective, ISO 24495 helps formalise these services. It gives LSPs a defensible framework for activities that are often delivered informally or inconsistently.
Why ISO 24495-4 is especially significant
One part of the series deserves particular attention: ISO 24495-4, currently issued as a Committee Draft.
Unlike earlier parts of the series that focus on guidance and principles, ISO 24495-4 introduces requirements. This is an important distinction. Requirements, rather than guidance, are what make a standard potentially certifiable.
If ISO 24495-4 progresses through the ISO development stages and is published as a full International Standard with auditable requirements, it could become a future certification option. For language service providers, this would represent a major development, especially for those offering plain language, content optimisation and localisation services.
Forward-looking LSPs are already monitoring this closely. Early alignment with the draft requirements can reduce future transition effort and demonstrate maturity to clients who are increasingly asking how content quality and clarity are assured.
What this means for ISO 24495 Certification discussions today
At present, ISO 24495 is not a certifiable management system standard in the same way as ISO 17100. However, that does not mean it is irrelevant from a certification perspective.
Many organisations are already:
- Mapping ISO 24495 principles into existing quality management and language service workflows
- Training staff on the plain language principles of ISO 24495
- Using the standard to structure internal policies, style guides and review criteria
- Demonstrating alignment to clients and stakeholders as part of broader compliance narratives
As the conversation around ISO 24495 Certification continues to evolve, particularly in light of ISO 24495-4, language service providers that engage early will be better placed to respond when formal certification routes emerge.
The role of ATC Certification
ATC Certification specialises exclusively in the language services sector. Our certification activities are built around robust, impartial processes aligned with ISO 17065, and our auditors are language industry specialists who understand how these standards operate in practice.
While ISO 24495 is currently a guidance-led series, we actively monitor its development and the potential future certifiability of ISO 24495-4. As with other emerging standards, any future certification scheme would be supported by appropriate auditor training to ensure technical competence and sector relevance.
Looking ahead
The direction of travel is clear. Language service providers are no longer judged solely on linguistic accuracy, but on the effectiveness, clarity and usability of the content they deliver. The ISO 24495 series reflects this reality.
For compliance leaders within LSPs, now is the time to understand how plain language standards intersect with existing certifications such as ISO 17100 and ISO 18841, and how they support the move towards higher-value, more strategic language services.
ISO 24495 Certification may not be here yet, but the foundations are being laid. Those who prepare early will not be playing catch-up later.
