*First published by ATC.
The upcoming revision of ISO 17100, Translation services – Requirements for translation
services, is set to bring significant changes to the translation industry. In the ISO standards
knowledge-sharing webinar hosted by EUATC and ISO TC 37/SC 5 on 28 April 2025, Ingemar
Strandvik, an expert in the field, presented this revision to address the evolving needs and
technological advancements in translation services.
Systematic Review and Revision
ISO standards undergo systematic review every three years to ensure their relevance and
usefulness. The options are to confirm, deprecate, or revise the standards. Given the rapid
development in the translation sector, particularly in technology, the revision of ISO 17100 is
both important and challenging. This standard is considered the foundation of the translation
standards ecosystem, providing high levels of quality assurance and risk mitigation.
Key Topics for Discussion
Several key topics are likely to be discussed during the revision process:
- Integration of Machine Translation and AI: The development in machine translation
and AI since 2015 has raised questions about the exclusion of raw machine translation
with post-editing from the scope of ISO 17100. - Compulsory Second Pair of Eyes: ISO 17100 prescribes that a second person should
revise the translation to ensure quality assurance. The debate continues on whether
post-editing should be equated with revision or considered as initial translation without
revision. - Competence and Qualifications Requirements: The bold competence and
qualifications requirements for translators have been criticised for being Eurocentric
and not representative of low-resource languages. There is a conversation to be had
about the need to adapt these requirements to the realities of high-resource and low-
resource languages. - Linkage Between Standards: The adoption of ISO 11669 last year, with its focus on
project management specifications, may require adjustments in the light of ISO 17100.
There are also stakeholders who are advocating to merge ISO 18587, the post-editing
standard, with ISO 17100 to address the blurred distinction between post-editing
workflows and human workflows with CAT tools and machine translation.
Global Survey and Task Force
A task force was set up last year to prepare for the upcoming revision. A global survey was
conducted, receiving almost 200 responses from around the world. This input will be analysed
and fed into the revision work, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach.
Transition Period
Once the revised ISO 17100 is published, there will be a transition period for any translation
service providers to update their certification to the revised version of the standard. Language
service companies will have several years to comply with the new requirements, ensuring a
smooth transition without panic.
The revision of ISO 17100 is a crucial step towards aligning translation standards with the
current technological landscape and industry needs. It presents an opportunity for
stakeholders to contribute to the evolution of best practices in translation services.
We encourage all members and stakeholders to actively participate in the revision process
through their national standardisation bodies. Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of
translation standards. Together, we can ensure that ISO 17100 continues to safeguard quality
and meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry.
Let’s build a stronger, more standardised industry together!
