In an increasingly interconnected Europe, the demand for high-quality translation has never been greater. Whether you’re translating EU legislation, medical device documentation, or technical manuals, one question remains paramount: how do you ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance across all 24 EU languages?
The answer lies in ISO 17100:2015 – the international standard for translation services – and at its core, rigorous terminology management.
What is ISO 17100:2015?
ISO 17100:2015 is the global benchmark for translation quality. It specifies requirements for all aspects of the translation process that directly affect quality and delivery, including:
- Qualified human resources (translators, revisers, reviewers)
- Technical and technological resources
- Quality management procedures
- Project management protocols
But beyond these structural requirements, ISO 17100 places special emphasis on one often-overlooked element: terminology management.
Why Terminology Management is Central to ISO 17100
The Foundation of Translation Quality
Terminology isn’t just about finding the “right word.” In professional translation, particularly for EU institutions, legal documents, and regulated industries, terminology management is the difference between:
- A contract that’s legally binding vs. one that’s ambiguous
- Medical instructions that save lives vs. ones that endanger patients
- Technical documentation that ensures compliance vs. one that creates liability
ISO 17100 recognizes this critical distinction. The standard explicitly requires translation service providers to have systems in place for:
- Terminology research and extraction
- Terminology validation and approval
- Consistent terminology application
- Quality assurance of terminology usage
Real-World Impact: When Terminology Goes Wrong
Consider these scenarios:
EU Legislative Translation: The term “directive” in English has a specific legal meaning in EU law. Translating it inconsistently across the 24 official languages could create legal confusion across member states. ISO 17100-compliant processes ensure that terms like these are verified against the IATE (Interactive Terminology for Europe) database and applied consistently.
Medical Device Documentation: The difference between “contraindication” and “precaution” in medical terminology isn’t semantic – it’s life-or-death. ISO 17100 mandates that domain-specific terminology is validated by qualified experts, not just translated word-for-word.
Technical Manuals: In manufacturing documentation, “tolerance” has a precise technical meaning. A mistranslation could mean the difference between a product that meets specifications and one that fails quality control.