ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 Certification in Saudi Arabia – Translation Services, AI Post-Editing, Cost & Requirements

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Saudi Arabia's business environment brings together local companies, multinational organizations, government-related projects, technology businesses and service providers working across Arabic, English and other languages. For translation companies, this means that simply translating words is often not enough. Customers increasingly expect consistency, specialist knowledge, confidentiality and a clearly managed workflow.

This is where ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 certification in Saudi Arabia can become relevant.

ISO 17100 focuses on professional translation services and the processes and resources needed to provide a translation service that meets applicable requirements. ISO 18587 addresses the full human post-editing of machine translation output and the competence of the people carrying out that work.

The two standards address related but different activities. A translation company that provides conventional professional translation may look at ISO 17100, while a company using machine translation followed by human post-editing may also need to consider ISO 18587.

For Saudi translation agencies, localization providers and language-service businesses, understanding that difference is important before deciding on the certification scope.

What Is ISO 17100 Certification in Saudi Arabia?

ISO 17100:2015 is an international standard for translation services. It sets requirements covering the core processes, resources and other aspects involved in delivering a quality translation service that meets applicable specifications. ISO also states that the standard does not apply to interpreting services.

For a translation company in Saudi Arabia, this can mean looking closely at how a translation assignment is handled from the initial customer request through to delivery.

The company may need to demonstrate appropriate arrangements for areas such as:

• Understanding customer requirements
• Selecting suitable translators
• Managing translation projects
• Reviewing translated content
• Managing terminology
• Controlling project information
• Handling customer feedback
• Managing nonconformities
• Maintaining appropriate records and documented information

ISO 17100 is therefore more than a statement that a company provides translation services. It provides a framework for examining how those services are organized and controlled.

The current published edition is ISO 17100:2015, with an amendment published in 2017. ISO has also started work on a new edition that will replace ISO 17100:2015, so organizations planning certification should confirm the applicable requirements at the time of their certification project.

What Is ISO 18587 Certification in Saudi Arabia?

ISO 18587:2017 deals with full human post-editing of machine translation output and the competence of post-editors. ISO identifies translation service providers, clients and post-editors among the intended users of the standard.

This distinction matters for companies using machine translation.

A typical workflow might look like this:

Customer content → Machine translation → Human post-editing → Review → Final delivery

The machine may produce the first version, but a qualified human reviews and improves the output before the customer receives it.

The post-editor may need to identify problems involving meaning, terminology, grammar, context, omissions and other language issues.

ISO 18587 therefore addresses a different part of the translation process from ISO 17100.

The current published standard is ISO 18587:2017. ISO is developing a replacement draft, ISO/DIS 18587, which expands the terminology to cover post-editing of non-human translation output. Until a new edition is published and becomes applicable, organizations should verify the certification basis being used for their assessment.

ISO 17100 vs ISO 18587 – What Is the Difference?

The simplest way to understand the two standards is to look at the work being performed.

ISO 17100

Primarily concerns professional translation services and their supporting processes and resources.

ISO 18587

Primarily concerns full human post-editing of machine translation output and the competence of post-editors.

For example, consider two projects.

A Saudi company sends an English technical manual to a translation agency for professional Arabic translation. The agency manages the assignment through its human translation process. ISO 17100 may be relevant.

Another company uses a machine translation system to create an initial Arabic version and then assigns the output to a qualified human post-editor. ISO 18587 may be relevant.

A language-service provider offering both types of work may consider both standards, depending on its certification scope.

Why ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 Matter to Saudi Translation Companies

The Saudi market includes businesses that work with Arabic and English documentation every day.

A translation provider may be supporting an engineering project in Jubail, a technology company in Riyadh, a trading business in Jeddah or an international organization operating across several Saudi locations.

The documents can vary considerably.

One project may involve contracts. Another may involve technical specifications. A third could involve website content or product information.

When translation volumes increase, businesses often need a process that is consistent rather than dependent entirely on individual working habits.

ISO 17100 can provide a structured approach to professional translation services.

ISO 18587 becomes relevant when machine translation is introduced and human post-editing forms part of the service.

For customers, this distinction can also make it easier to understand what a translation provider's quality system actually covers.

ISO 17100 Requirements for Translation Companies in Saudi Arabia

The requirements that apply to an organization depend on its activities and certification scope. However, several areas are particularly important when preparing a translation service for assessment.

Customer Requirements

A translation assignment should begin with a clear understanding of what the customer expects.

This may include:

• Source language
• Target language
• Subject area
• Intended readership
• Terminology
• Delivery format
• Deadline
• Formatting requirements
• Confidentiality requirements
• Special customer instructions

A misunderstanding at this stage can create problems later, even if the translation itself is technically well written.

Translator Competence

The organization needs appropriate arrangements for selecting people who are capable of handling the assigned work.

Depending on the project, relevant considerations may include:

• Language ability
• Translation experience
• Subject knowledge
• Professional competence
• Relevant qualifications
• Familiarity with specialist terminology

For instance, a translator working on an engineering specification may need a different level of subject knowledge from someone translating general corporate correspondence.

Translation Workflow

The company should know who is responsible for each stage of the assignment.

This may include:

1. Receiving the customer request
2. Reviewing requirements
3. Assigning resources
4. Translating the content
5. Reviewing or revising the work
6. Completing quality checks
7. Delivering the final material
8. Handling subsequent customer feedback

The precise workflow can vary between organizations.

Terminology Management

Terminology becomes particularly important when a customer uses specialist vocabulary.

An energy company, legal firm or technology business may have preferred terms that should remain consistent throughout a project.

A controlled approach to terminology can help translators and reviewers work from the same information.

Review and Revision

A second look at translated material can identify issues that may not be obvious during the first pass.

Depending on the assignment, the review may look at:

• Meaning
• Terminology
• Language
• Completeness
• Consistency
• Formatting
• Customer-specific requirements

The extent of review should match the service and the agreed requirements.

ISO 18587 Requirements for Human Post-Editing

When machine translation is part of the workflow, the organization needs to distinguish the machine-generated output from the work performed by the human post-editor.

The post-editor may need to examine whether the machine output correctly communicates the source content.

Areas that may require attention include:

• Incorrect meaning
• Missing information
• Unnatural wording
• Terminology
• Grammar
• Context
• Sentence structure
• Inconsistent translations
• Customer-specific terminology

The aim is not simply to correct spelling.

A post-editor needs to assess whether the final text is fit for its intended purpose and meets the applicable requirements.

Arabic-English Translation and ISO Standards in Saudi Arabia

Arabic-English translation is particularly relevant to organizations working with international suppliers, customers and business partners.

A Saudi translation company may handle:

• Commercial contracts
• Technical manuals
• Corporate policies
• Financial documents
• Websites
• Product documentation
• Training material
• Engineering documents
• Business correspondence

The appropriate standard depends on how the translation is produced.

Where professional translation services are provided, ISO 17100 may be applicable.

Where machine translation is used and the output receives full human post-editing, ISO 18587 may be applicable.

The standards should therefore be selected based on the actual service rather than simply the type of document being translated.

Using Machine Translation in Saudi Translation Workflows

Machine translation can help organizations process large amounts of content.

For example, an e-commerce company may need to translate thousands of product descriptions. A technology company may have a large volume of website content. A multinational organization may need to process internal documents in several languages.

Automation can make the first stage faster.

It does not remove the need to consider quality, context or customer requirements.

Where a company provides full human post-editing of machine-generated translation, ISO 18587 becomes particularly relevant.

The workflow can be organized as:

Source document → Machine-generated translation → Human post-editing → Final checks → Delivery

This is different from simply giving a customer unreviewed machine output.

Saudi Personal Data Considerations for Translation and AI Tools

Translation companies sometimes work with information that identifies individuals or contains commercially sensitive material.

Examples may include:

• Names
• Contact information
• Identification details
• Employment records
• Financial information
• Customer records
• Contracts
• Personal correspondence

Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law applies to the processing of personal data within the Kingdom, with additional provisions concerning certain processing involving individuals in the Kingdom. SDAIA's official guidance identifies the PDPL, its implementing regulations and the regulation concerning transfers of personal data outside the Kingdom as part of the Kingdom's data-protection framework.

This becomes particularly relevant when a translation company sends customer documents to an external machine-translation or AI platform.

Before doing so, the organization should consider:

• What information is being uploaded
• Why the information is being processed
• Who can access it
• Where the information is processed or stored
• Contractual restrictions
• Customer instructions
• Applicable data-protection requirements
• Requirements relating to transfers outside Saudi Arabia

ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 do not replace Saudi data-protection law. They should be considered alongside the organization's legal and contractual obligations.

Industries Using Translation Services in Saudi Arabia

ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 can be relevant across several sectors.

Engineering and Construction

Engineering businesses may deal with specifications, project documents, drawings-related information, manuals and contracts involving international parties.

Energy and Industrial Businesses

Saudi Arabia's industrial and energy sectors generate significant amounts of technical and commercial documentation.

Translation providers serving these organizations may need strong terminology control and specialist resources.

Technology Companies

Technology businesses may translate software documentation, websites, user information, training content and corporate material.

Where machine translation is used at scale, human post-editing can become an important part of the workflow.

Financial and Professional Services

Banks, financial businesses, consultants and professional-service firms may require carefully controlled translation of corporate and financial information.

Healthcare

Healthcare organizations can require specialist translation where terminology and accuracy are important.

The certification scope should still remain focused on the organization's actual translation or post-editing activities rather than treating every industry as a separate certification category.

ISO 17100 Certification in Riyadh

Riyadh is an important location for translation companies serving corporate, technology, professional-service and government-related customers.

A translation company based in Riyadh may consider ISO 17100 where professional translation services form part of its intended certification scope.

If the company also uses machine translation and provides full human post-editing, ISO 18587 may need to be considered as well.

ISO 17100 Certification in Jeddah

Jeddah-based translation providers may serve businesses involved in trade, logistics, tourism, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing and professional services.

The same principle applies: the certification scope should describe the actual services being assessed.

A provider offering professional translation may consider ISO 17100.

A provider delivering human post-editing of machine translation may consider ISO 18587.

ISO 17100 Certification in Dammam and the Eastern Province

Dammam, Al Khobar, Dhahran and Jubail are important business locations for companies working across industrial, engineering, energy and commercial activities.

Translation providers supporting these organizations may work with technical documentation, contracts, specifications and specialist terminology.

For these businesses, a structured translation process can be useful when customer requirements are complex or projects involve multiple languages.

ISO 17100 Certification Across Saudi Arabia

Companies do not need to be located in Riyadh to consider ISO 17100 or ISO 18587.

Organizations in Jeddah, Dammam, Al Khobar, Dhahran, Jubail, Yanbu, Mecca, Medina, Taif, Abha, Tabuk, Jazan, Najran, Hail, Qassim and other Saudi locations can evaluate the standards according to their activities.

The important factor is the organization's service scope and operational processes, not the city name alone.

Who Can Consider ISO 17100 Certification in Saudi Arabia?

ISO 17100 may be considered by organizations such as:

• Translation agencies
• Language service providers
• Localization companies
• Corporate translation departments
• Technical translation providers
• Legal translation providers
• Financial translation providers
• Multilingual content providers

The organization should determine whether its actual activities fall within the standard and whether certification meets its customer or business requirements.

Who Can Consider ISO 18587 Certification in Saudi Arabia?

ISO 18587 may be relevant to organizations providing full human post-editing of machine translation output.

This can include:

• Language-service providers
• AI-assisted translation businesses
• Localization companies
• High-volume translation providers
• Machine-translation service providers
• Multilingual content businesses

The key question is not whether a company uses AI somewhere in its business.

The more relevant question is whether machine translation output is being subjected to human post-editing as a service process.

This distinction also helps keep ISO 18587 separate from broader AI-management standards.

Can a Saudi Company Use Both ISO 17100 and ISO 18587?

Yes, depending on the organization's services.

A language-service provider could have two workflows.

Workflow 1 – Professional translation

Customer request → Human translation → Review → Final delivery

Workflow 2 – Machine-assisted translation

Customer request → Machine translation → Human post-editing → Review → Final delivery

If both services form part of the organization's intended certification scope, the company can assess the applicability of both standards.

The final certification scope should accurately describe the activities being assessed.

How to Get ISO 17100 Certification in Saudi Arabia

A practical preparation process can begin with defining exactly what the company wants certified.

Step 1 – Define the Scope

Identify:

• Services covered
• Languages
• Locations
• Departments
• Translation activities
• Relevant resources

Step 2 – Map the Existing Workflow

Document how a translation assignment moves through the organization.

Step 3 – Identify Gaps

Compare current practices against the applicable requirements.

Step 4 – Improve the Processes

Address gaps involving competence, project management, translation controls, review, records and customer communication.

Step 5 – Apply the Process

Use the revised workflow on actual projects and retain suitable evidence.

Step 6 – Review Performance

Check whether the processes are working as intended.

Step 7 – Prepare for Certification Assessment

Ensure relevant personnel understand their responsibilities and that appropriate records are available.

Step 8 – Certification Audit

The certification body assesses the organization against the applicable requirements and agreed scope.

Step 9 – Address Findings

Where findings are raised, the organization responds through the applicable certification process.

How to Get ISO 18587 Certification in Saudi Arabia

The starting point is to map the organization's machine-translation and human post-editing process.

The company should understand:

• Which machine-translation systems are used
• Who performs post-editing
• What competence is required
• How terminology is managed
• How post-editing quality is checked
• Who approves the final content
• What records are maintained
• How customer requirements are communicated

Once the workflow is understood, the organization can assess where improvements are required and prepare for certification.

ISO 17100 Certification Cost in Saudi Arabia

There is no single price for ISO 17100 certification in Saudi Arabia.

The cost depends on the circumstances of the organization.

Factors can include:

• Number of employees
• Number of locations
• Certification scope
• Complexity of translation activities
• Existing systems
• Audit requirements
• Number of languages and service processes covered
• Level of organizational readiness

A small translation agency with one location will generally have a different certification requirement from a large language-service provider operating across multiple locations.

For this reason, a company should request a quotation based on its actual scope rather than relying on a generic online price.

ISO 18587 Certification Cost in Saudi Arabia

ISO 18587 certification cost can also vary.

The quotation may be influenced by:

• Number of post-editors
• Number of locations
• Machine-translation workflow
• Certification scope
• Organizational complexity
• Existing processes
• Audit requirements

If the organization is considering both ISO 17100 and ISO 18587, it is useful to request a combined quotation based on the intended scope.

How Long Does ISO 17100 Certification Take?

There is no universal timeframe.

A company with established processes and organized records may be ready more quickly than an organization starting from scratch.

The timeframe can be influenced by:

• Organization size
• Scope
• Number of locations
• Existing procedures
• Employee competence
• Documentation
• Readiness for the certification audit

A clear scope and early gap assessment can help avoid unnecessary delays.

How Long Does ISO 18587 Certification Take?

The same principle applies to ISO 18587.

An organization should first understand its machine-translation and post-editing workflow.

If the process is already well established, preparation may be more straightforward.

Where responsibilities, competence arrangements and quality controls are unclear, additional preparation may be necessary.

Benefits of ISO 17100 Certification for Saudi Translation Companies

For a translation business, certification can provide a more structured way of managing service delivery.

Potential benefits include:

• Better-defined workflows
• Clearer responsibilities
• Improved control of translation projects
• More consistent review practices
• Better management of terminology
• Stronger customer communication
• A structured approach to handling feedback
• Evidence of an internationally recognized translation-service framework
• Support when responding to customer or tender requirements

Certification is not a promise that every translation will be perfect.

Its purpose is to demonstrate conformity with the applicable requirements within the agreed scope.

Benefits of ISO 18587 Certification for Saudi AI-Assisted Translation Providers

For businesses using machine translation, the human stage remains important when the service includes full post-editing.

Potential benefits include:

• A defined post-editing workflow
• Greater clarity around post-editor competence
• Better control over machine-generated output
• More consistent review
• Improved customer confidence
• A structured approach to large translation volumes
• Better separation between machine output and final customer content

This can be particularly useful when a company wants to demonstrate that machine translation is not simply being passed directly to customers without appropriate human intervention.

ISO 17100 or ISO 18587 – Which One Does a Saudi Business Need?

There is no universal answer.

Look at the service being offered.

Consider ISO 17100 when professional translation services are the main focus.

Consider ISO 18587 when the service includes full human post-editing of machine translation output.

Consider both when both workflows are part of the organization's certification scope.

This approach is more useful than selecting a standard simply because a company uses translation software or AI tools.

What Happens to the Standards as They Are Revised?

Organizations planning certification should be aware that both standards are undergoing development work.

ISO currently lists ISO 17100:2015 as the published standard while a new edition, ISO/AWI 17100, is under development.

For ISO 18587, the published standard remains ISO 18587:2017, while ISO/DIS 18587 is under development and is intended to replace the 2017 edition.

This does not mean that organizations should ignore the current standards. It means that companies planning a new certification project should confirm the applicable edition and transition arrangements with the relevant certification provider.

Get ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 Certification in Saudi Arabia with SCS

For a Saudi translation company, the first useful step is to define what the organization actually does.

Before requesting certification, prepare information about:

• Company activities
• Translation services
• Machine-translation activities
• Human post-editing services
• Languages handled
• Locations
• Number of employees
• Existing management systems
• Intended certification scope

SCS can discuss the certification route based on the organization's actual activities.

Whether the company operates in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al Khobar, Dhahran, Jubail, Yanbu or another Saudi location, the certification scope should reflect the services that are actually being assessed.

Get Certified with SCS

If your organization is considering ISO 17100 certification in Saudi Arabia, ISO 18587 certification in Saudi Arabia, or certification covering both standards, SCS can help you understand the applicable certification process and scope.

The right starting point is not simply choosing a standard.

It is identifying the translation workflow, understanding where human translation and machine translation are used, and deciding which services need to be included within the certification scope.

Talk to SCS about ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 certification for your Saudi organization.

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