ISO

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, a global body that develops and publishes international standards across a wide range of industries. These standards share one purpose: to help ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and compatibility for products, services, and systems worldwide.

In localization, ISO standards provide frameworks that guide everything, from language codes to information security practices. For example, ISO 639 defines standardized codes for the representation of language names (which are widely used in translation files and localization tools) and ISO 17100 specifies requirements for translation service providers, including qualifications, workflows, and quality assurance processes.

Companies that are pursuing global expansion or handling sensitive content also follow ISO/IEC 27001, an international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). This is especially important when working with confidential translations or user data.

🔍 Key points about ISO #️⃣

• ISO is a global standards organization, not a government body.
• ISO standards apply across technology, manufacturing, translation, and many other sectors.
• Compliance with ISO standards signals professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to best practices.

⬇️ Popular ISO standards in localization #️⃣

1. ISO 639: Defines short codes for languages, like en for English or es for Spanish.
2. ISO 17100: Sets requirements for professional translation services, covering processes, resources, and quality.
3. ISO 8601: Provides a standard way to write dates and times (YYYY-MM-DD), avoiding regional confusion.
4. ISO 4217: Defines three-letter and numeric codes for currencies, such as USD for US dollar or JPY for Japanese yen, etc.
5. ISO 27001: Key for managing data security in translation workflows, ensuring safe handling of client information.
6. ISO 18587: Defines requirements for the human post-editing of machine translation output to ensure it meets the quality standards of professional translation.
7. ISO 30042: Defines the TBX framework and XML styles for standardized exchange and customization of terminological data across industries and tools.
8. ISO 9001: Describes requirements for quality management systems that help organizations consistently provide products and services meeting customer and regulatory expectations.
9. ISO 12620: Sets standardized data categories for terminology management, ensuring consistent representation and interoperability across translation and localization tools.

📖 Why ISO matters in localization #️⃣

Taken together, ISO standards form a shared framework that keeps global communication clear, consistent, and secure. For localization teams, this means:

• Reliable codes for languages, countries, dates, and currencies that prevent errors in multilingual products.
• Clear requirements for translation workflows, vendor management, and quality assurance.
• Proven frameworks for protecting sensitive information and managing risks in international projects.

Staying updated with ISO standards builds trust with clients, partners, and users worldwide. Since standards evolve through regular reviews and revisions, it’s always best to consult the ISO Catalogue to confirm the most up-to-date editions.

🎧 Looking to get ISO certified? Give a listen to our podcast episode about the topic