Overview
EN ISO 17100:2015/A1:2017 is an amendment to the international standard ISO 17100:2015 - Translation services - Requirements for translation services. Published by CEN in October 2017 and endorsed for national implementation across CEN members, this amendment (A1) updates specific procedural requirements within the original standard. The most significant change clarifies how a Translation Service Provider (TSP) must document a translator’s qualifications.
Key topics and requirements
This amendment focuses on translator qualification evidence (clause 3.1.4). Key points include:
- The TSP must obtain documented evidence that a translator meets at least one of three qualification routes:
- Degree in translation, linguistics or language studies, or an equivalent qualification that includes significant translation training, from a recognized institution of higher education.
- Degree in any other field from a recognized institution of higher education plus two years’ full‑time professional translating experience (equivalent).
- Five years’ full‑time professional translating experience (equivalent).
- The amendment was approved by CEN without modification and applies where EN ISO 17100:2015 is enforced.
- The document is available in English, French and German and has been adopted by national standards bodies across European countries.
Applications and who uses this standard
EN ISO 17100:2015/A1:2017 is used by organizations and professionals involved in translation quality and procurement:
- Translation agencies and language service providers (LSPs) - to set hiring and vetting criteria for translators and to document qualifications for compliance with ISO 17100 translation processes.
- Corporate language and procurement teams - when specifying supplier requirements, tendering translation work, or requiring evidence of translator qualifications.
- Quality managers and auditors - for conformity assessment, process audits and supplier evaluations against ISO 17100 requirements.
- Freelance translators - to understand accepted qualification routes and prepare documentary evidence for potential clients or TSPs.
Practical uses include supplier selection checklists, translator onboarding records, contract clauses specifying qualification evidence, and internal quality systems aligned to ISO 17100.
Related standards and context
- Main standard: ISO 17100:2015 - Requirements for translation services (this amendment modifies that standard).
- Prepared by ISO/TC 37 (Terminology and other language and content resources), Subcommittee SC 5 (Translation, interpreting and related technology).
- Alignment with CEN endorsement procedures: member bodies were required to adopt the amendment by April 2018.
Keywords: EN ISO 17100:2015/A1:2017, translation services, translator qualifications, TSP, ISO 17100 amendment, translation standards, language service provider.
