Overview
EN ISO 17651-2:2024 - Simultaneous interpreting - Interpreters’ working environment - Part 2: Requirements and recommendations for mobile booths (ISO 17651-2:2024) specifies design, siting and use guidance for mobile booths used in simultaneous interpreting. Published by CEN/ISO in 2024 (superseding EN ISO 4043:2016), the standard focuses on booths that can be dismantled, moved and set up temporarily, while ensuring usability and accessibility for all interpreters. It is intended for events and venues not permanently equipped for multilingual conferences.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard addresses the main functional and human factors that affect simultaneous interpreting in mobile booths:
- Location and siting
- Room characteristics, visibility and direct view of the event, accessibility and placement to support visual communication.
- Design and construction
- General requirements for booth assemblies, dimensions, mass, handling, transport and storage considerations that distinguish mobile booths from permanent installations.
- Acoustics and ventilation
- Sound insulation and absorption to protect interpreters from external noise; recommended approaches to booth ventilation (noting a novel ventilation approach introduced in this edition).
- Openings and interfaces
- Doors, windows, cable passages and language display provisions to support equipment and workflow.
- Booth interior and ergonomics
- Lighting, colours, work surface, furniture, storage, electrical supply, internet access and video displays tailored to interpreters’ needs.
- Operational support
- Requirements for technical control, technical support staff and amenities (interpreters’ room, toilets) to maintain working conditions and reduce stress.
Practical applications
EN ISO 17651-2:2024 is applied when planning, procuring or operating mobile interpreting booths for:
- Temporary conferences, international meetings and hybrid events
- Venues (public buildings, conference centres) requiring temporary multilingual infrastructure
- Rental and manufacture of portable interpreting booths and modular systems
- Health, safety and accessibility assessments for event setups
Benefits include improved interpreter performance, consistent user experience, and guidance for compliant booth design, transport and installation.
Who should use this standard
- Event organisers and conference planners
- Booth manufacturers and modular booth designers
- Audio-visual suppliers and rental companies
- Venue managers and architects of public buildings
- Conference technical staff and interpreters
- Standards and compliance officers
Related standards
- ISO 20109 - equipment requirements and recommendations for simultaneous interpreting (to be used in conjunction with EN ISO 17651-2:2024)
- ISO 17651-3 - requirements for mobile booths without a direct view (under development at time of publication)
- EN ISO 4043:2016 - superseded by this edition
Keywords: EN ISO 17651-2:2024, mobile booths, simultaneous interpreting, interpreters’ working environment, booth design, acoustics, booth accessibility.
