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       Whether we like it or not,translation standards are coming our way. However, a few standards are already here.Perhaps the most common translation standard available is EN15038, created by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in 2006, with which many translators working with European clients may already be familiar. There is also a U.S. standard for translation providers, ASTM F2575,available from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). You can purchase copies of these standards from the links below. However, the standard that is currently being developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 17100,will eventually become the de facto standard for translation providers around the globe.
　　These standards provide a template for “best practices” for translation providers, in terms of defining project specifications, selecting vendors,organizing the translation process, and resolving problems. For language people, however, all of the different numbers can be overwhelming. What does it mean? What will you actually have to do?
　　First, standards are actually here to help you—whether you are an individual translator working with an end client or a large multinational. They are intended to clarify the translation process for all parties involved: the translator, the agency, and the buyer.Standards do not tell you how to run your business. You can modify or create your work processes as needed in order to prove that you are meeting the relevant standard.
　　For example, a standard may require that a translator’s skills be confirmed in some way. This requirement could be satisfied by keeping records of a translator’s education level or experience in the industry, or having the individual pass a sample translation test. Another example of a requirement might involve using a separate reviser for all translations, as suggested in various standards. This could be documented by having the reviser complete a sign-off form or by recording the various phases of a translation (draft, revised, final) using a defined file naming system.
　　Most of this is pretty much a nobrainer for a lot of us, but it is important to remember that you actually need to IMPLEMENT this system by making sure that all of your employees and vendors follow the rules you establish. Getting the cooperation from everyone in the business is critical. One rogue project manager who likes to do things “my way” can spoil the entire effort.
　　For the well-organized business,writing down all of your business practices in a “Quality Manual” may not actually take that long. However, you need to allot time to collect the evidence of your system. For instance,your quality manual says that unsatisfactory translations are sent to a third party, but it may take a while before you have a case where this happens.
　　There are lots of templates available online to help you write the procedures and create a quality manual.A good idea is to seek the assistance of a quality “registrar.” A registrar is a company that conducts the audit and grants the certification on behalf of ISO, CEN, or another standards organization. They operate independently and are subject to their own standard of practice, ISO 17021. The registrar will provide one or more“auditors,” who will actually review your existing quality documentation and perhaps visit your office to talk to your staff to ensure that you are indeed practicing what you preach. If they are satisfied with what they see, they will issue the “Certificate of Compliance.”
　　If not, they will likely issue a list of“non-conformities” you will need to address before they return. A good registrar may agree to review your existing documentation before performing the actual “Quality Audit,”which can save you a lot of money in advance. A quick web search will likely reveal many such registrars in your neighborhood, which can also save you money.
　　For many, standards may seem like a needless paper chase; trying to fit a“word business” into a numbered template. And there may be many buyers that really do not care whether you are certified or not, but those are the same buyers who are likely to get their maintenance crew to do the translations or resort to automatic translation. The translation standards being created today will help educate the public that there is a better way, a standard way, of conducting the language business.