Translingua: ÖNORM EN 15038 re-audit on 15 May 2009 - Feedback

As one of the founding members of the iQTSP (International Network for Quality Translation Service Providers) association, which was established in Austria in May 2009, translingua holds the view that not only quality certifications but also continuous re-audits are extremely important. ÖNORM EN 15038 certification is an excellent opportunity for translation providers to stand out positively from their competitors, particularly at the present time when the market continues to expand and the choice of the right supplier grows ever more confusing for the customer. The quality seal is also an important indicator which offers guidance for customers wishing to make the right decision when it comes to selecting the best translation supplier.

Based in Graz and Vienna, the translingua translation agency has been a quality certified company since April 2004. In the meantime, the former ÖN 1200 standard has evolved into EN 15038, today’s benchmark norm. This hallmark of quality has now been awarded to translingua for a further two years after the company successfully passed its second re-audit.

In the course of an entire day set aside for the re-audit on 15 May, Mr Mohamed-Ali Ibrahim from the Austrian Standards Institute was personally satisfied that translingua continues to deliver ‘excellent work in compliance with the due diligence criteria stipulated by ÖNORM.’ The audit carefully scrutinised the daily work processes which take place at translingua. These included a complete translation order, which was analysed from the point of initial order acceptance through to placement with a qualified translator, right down to dispatchment of the completed translation to the customer. The standard sets out clear guidelines regarding the choice of translator, the proofreading process and consideration of various formal requirements, particularly in the field of project management. Further matters which were addressed in the course of the audit included the acquisition of new translators, the way project managers dealt with ‘extraordinary’ situations and the regular monitoring of customer satisfaction levels.

‘Admittedly, preparing for re-certification every two years certainly involves a lot of work,’ commented Dr. Brigitte Meßner, managing partner of translingua, ‘but even so we’re entirely convinced that such audits are necessary. They force you to work continuously on improving your in-house procedures and to monitor routine processes with regard to their everyday usefulness. At the end of the day, all this is always to the benefit of customers who gain from the enhanced quality of the translation they place with us. The fact that our processes comply with the industry’s benchmark standard plays an important role in this case.’
(Text edited by Translingua)