Certification to LICS ISO 17100

The certification to ISO 17100:2015 guarantees the quality of the translation services.
European institutions require certification to this standard for their tender procedures

What is ISO 17100:2015 standard about?

The International Standard ISO 17100 for translation services was published in May 2015 and in parallel the standard was recognized as identical European Standard. The Bulgarian Institute for Standardization according to the Rules for European standardization implemented the standard as BDS EN ISO 17100 and withdrew BDS EN 15038:2006. The new standard ISO 17100 preserves the requirements on all aspects of the process of translation directly affecting the quality and the provision of translation services. It specifies requirements for all aspects of the translation process directly affecting the quality and delivery of translation services. It includes provisions for translation service providers (TSPs) concerning the management of core processes, minimum qualification requirements, the availability and management of resources, and other actions necessary for the delivery of a quality translation service.

The standard is intended for implementation by TSPs of any size.

The application of International Standard ISO 17100:2015 also provides the means by which a translation service provider (TSP) can demonstrate conformity of specified translation services to ISO 17100:2015 and the capability of its processes and resources to deliver a translation service that will meet the client's and other applicable specifications, any relevant industry codes, best-practice guides, or legislation. Conformity requires all the International Standard’s provisions to be met, but the methods of implementation may differ depending on the size and complexity of the organization and, in some cases, on the volume and complexity of the translation service being requested of the TSP.

ISO 17100 has clear advantages in terms of the global sector of translation services, as for the first time it offers valid criteria for reference at a global level, describing the state of the art of translation services.

What does the Bulgarian Institute for Standardization offer?

Many organizations offer certification or registration based on a declaration by the translation service provider that the service is carried out in accordance with an International or European Standard. To make the certificates acceptable at European and international level it is important the certification to be carried out according to the existing International Standard ISO 17100:2015 and a recognized certification system of a certification body established in accordance with the accreditation standard EN ISO/IEC 17065.

To satisfy the needs of certification of the Bulgarian companies providing translation services the Bulgarian Institute for Standardization signed an Agreement with Austria Standards in 2008. The Agreement is for partnership in the field of certification of translation services with the standard EN 15038:2006 requirements, replaced by EN ISO 17100:2015, under a scheme to the international certification system for translation services LICS (Language Industry certification system). According to the Agreement, BDS is the only organization in Bulgaria authorized to carry out the conformity assessment of translation services on LICS. According to the Agreement BDS auditors, which are trained and approved by Austrian Standards conduct certification audits of translation service providers who request to be certified according to ISO 17100:2015. The audit report is sent to Austrian Standards for making a certification decision. When the decision is positive, the organization providing translation services, receives a certificate issued by Austrian Standards certifying that it satisfies the standard’s requirements. The certificate is valid for six years and every two years surveillance audits are to be conducted.

For more information about Austrian Standards certification types in the field of products, services, persons and CE marking see the certification body website: Austrian Standards

For questions and more detailed information on the implementation of the ISO 17100:2015 and the necessary documents to apply for conformity assessment with the requirements of the standard. Please contact:

Petar Lozev, BDS/TC 34 “Quality management and conformity assessment” secretary, phone number: +359 2 8174 539 or e-mail: petar.lozev@bds-bg.org