Professional translation services backed by international quality standards
When choosing a professional translation agency, accuracy, confidentiality and dependable processes are essential. Whether you need a certified translation of an official document, a complex legal contract, a medical report or confidential business information, you need to know that your documents will be handled professionally.
The Native Translator provides professional translation services to businesses, public-sector organisations and private individuals in the United Kingdom and internationally. Our worldwide network comprises more than 5,500 specialist translators with qualifications from over 45 countries, covering legal, financial, medical, technical and commercial subject areas.
Our translation services are certified to ISO 17100, the international standard for translation service requirements. We are also certified to ISO/IEC 27001, the internationally recognised standard for information security management systems.
These two certifications support our commitment to consistent translation processes, professional competence, confidentiality and information security.
We also recognise the importance of other international standards, including ISO 14001 for environmental management and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) for payment card information.
Each standard addresses a different aspect of professional service delivery. Understanding these distinctions helps customers make informed decisions when selecting a translation agency.
ISO 17100 – certified translation services and professional quality assurance
ISO 17100 is an internationally recognised standard developed specifically for translation services.
It defines requirements for the resources, professional competencies, processes and other aspects necessary to deliver translation services that meet agreed specifications.
The Native Translator is certified to ISO 17100, providing customers with assurance that our translation processes are organised around recognised international requirements.
An essential feature of ISO 17100 is the distinction between translation and revision.
Under the standard, a translation must be revised by a second appropriately qualified language professional. Revision involves a bilingual examination of the translated content against the source text to identify potential errors and assess its suitability for the intended purpose.
This independent revision is an important element of the quality assurance process.
ISO 17100 also establishes requirements relating to translator qualifications and competencies, project management, customer specifications and the handling of translation assignments.
For customers in the United Kingdom, ISO 17100 certification is particularly relevant when commissioning translations of complex or high-value material.
Examples include commercial agreements, financial statements, regulatory documents, medical documentation, technical manuals, research materials and international business communications.
Our ISO 17100-certified processes help provide a consistent framework for managing these assignments.
However, ISO 17100 certification does not mean that every individual translation is automatically accepted as an officially certified, sworn or legally authenticated document by a court, government department or other authority.
Those requirements depend on the receiving organisation and the purpose for which the translation will be used.
ISO/IEC 27001 – certified information security and confidential document handling
Information security is a fundamental consideration when selecting a translation agency.
Documents submitted for translation frequently contain commercially sensitive information, personal data, intellectual property, financial details or confidential legal and medical records.
The Native Translator is certified to ISO/IEC 27001, the international standard for information security management systems.
ISO/IEC 27001 sets requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an information security management system.
The standard is based on a structured approach to identifying information security risks and selecting appropriate measures to address them.
Its core objectives are confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Confidentiality means protecting information against unauthorised access or disclosure.
Integrity means protecting information against unauthorised or accidental alteration.
Availability means ensuring that authorised users can access information when required.
Our approach to information security includes controlled access to customer information, protected file-transfer processes and confidentiality obligations for translators and project managers.
Documents submitted through our customer portals are transmitted using encrypted HTTPS/TLS connections.
We seek to restrict access to project information to those individuals who require it to perform their assigned responsibilities.
ISO/IEC 27001 certification demonstrates that our information security management system meets an internationally recognised set of requirements.
It does not mean that all security risks can be eliminated, nor does it automatically establish compliance with every applicable privacy or data protection law.
Nevertheless, the standard provides an important framework for the systematic management of information security risks.
For UK organisations handling sensitive documents, ISO/IEC 27001 certification can be a valuable consideration when assessing translation service providers.
ISO 14001 – environmental management and more sustainable translation processes
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems.
It provides a framework for organisations to identify, manage and monitor the environmental aspects of their activities and pursue continual improvement in environmental performance.
For translation agencies, relevant environmental considerations may include paper consumption, printing, document delivery, energy use, office operations and the environmental impact of business travel.
Digital translation workflows can help reduce reliance on printed documents and physical delivery, although the environmental impact of digital infrastructure must also be considered.
At The Native Translator, electronic document submission, digital project coordination and online delivery can support efficient working practices.
ISO 14001 provides a useful reference point for understanding environmental management and responsible business operations.
It is important to distinguish this standard from our certified translation and information security management systems.
The Native Translator’s stated certifications are ISO 17100 and ISO/IEC 27001. Reference to ISO 14001 should not be interpreted as a claim that The Native Translator holds ISO 14001 certification.
Customers seeking information about environmental policies or the handling of particular projects are welcome to contact us.
PCI Security – protecting payment card information and online transactions
Secure payment processing is another important consideration when ordering professional translation services online.
The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council develops security standards for the payment card industry, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, commonly known as PCI DSS.
PCI DSS establishes technical and operational requirements intended to protect payment card account data.
These requirements are relevant to organisations that store, process or transmit payment card information, with specific obligations depending on their role and payment arrangements.
The Native Translator may offer payment options through external payment service providers, such as PayPal or Saferpay, depending on the services available during checkout.
Where payments are processed by an external provider, that provider may collect and handle the information needed to complete the transaction.
We may receive payment-related details necessary to administer an order, such as payment confirmation, transaction references and billing information.
The use of a payment provider with its own security controls does not, by itself, establish that The Native Translator has independently achieved PCI DSS compliance validation.
PCI DSS and ISO/IEC 27001 also address different requirements. Certification to ISO/IEC 27001 does not automatically demonstrate PCI DSS compliance.
For further information about payment processing, customers should consult the relevant payment provider’s terms and privacy information.
Why international standards matter when choosing a translation agency
Selecting a translation agency involves more than comparing prices or delivery dates.
A translation may be used in legal proceedings, regulatory submissions, medical decisions, international transactions or business negotiations. Errors, confidentiality breaches or misunderstandings about document requirements can have significant consequences.
International standards help customers evaluate how a translation provider approaches quality and information security.
ISO 17100 addresses the professional resources and processes used to deliver translation services.
ISO/IEC 27001 addresses the management of information security risks.
ISO 14001 addresses environmental management systems.
PCI DSS addresses the protection of payment card account data.
These standards are not interchangeable, and each serves a distinct purpose.
For customers commissioning translations, the most relevant questions often include whether qualified translators will work on the assignment, whether independent revision is included, how confidential files will be protected and whether the completed translation will meet the receiving organisation’s requirements.
Our ISO 17100 and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications provide a recognised framework for two particularly important areas: translation service quality and information security management.
Combined with our international network of specialist translators, these standards support our ability to handle a broad range of professional translation assignments.
Certified translations for UK authorities, universities and official organisations
In the United Kingdom, the term certified translation generally refers to a translation accompanied by a statement confirming that it is an accurate and complete translation of the original document.
The required wording, signature, translator details and any additional formalities depend on the organisation receiving the document.
Unlike some European countries, the United Kingdom does not operate a single nationwide system of government-appointed sworn translators for all official translation purposes.
Instead, different organisations may establish their own requirements for accepting translated documents.
For example, UK Visas and Immigration may require translations of documents that are not in English or Welsh to include specified information about the translator and the translation.
Courts, universities, professional regulators, employers, banks and other organisations may apply different requirements.
Some documents may require additional steps, such as notarisation or legalisation.
These formalities should not be confused with ISO 17100 certification.
ISO 17100 concerns the professional translation process. It does not automatically make a translation legally certified, notarised or acceptable to a particular authority.
The Native Translator can assist customers who need translations for official or administrative purposes. Before ordering, we recommend confirming the exact requirements of the receiving organisation.
This may include whether the translation must carry a signed certification statement, whether a particular form of authentication is required and whether the original document must be submitted.
If a document requires an apostille, it is also important to establish which document or signature must be authenticated.
An apostille generally authenticates the origin of a qualifying public document, signature, seal or stamp. It does not independently certify the linguistic accuracy of a translation.
Clear instructions at the start of the assignment help ensure that the appropriate translation service and document formalities can be identified.
Data protection – UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and confidentiality
For organisations and individuals in the United Kingdom, the protection of personal data is an important consideration when commissioning translation services.
Documents submitted for translation may contain names, addresses, identification details, employment records, financial information, medical data or other personal information.
Where applicable, the processing of personal data is subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Depending on the circumstances, the EU GDPR and Swiss data protection legislation may also apply.
The Native Translator recognises the importance of processing personal data lawfully, transparently and securely.
Our ISO/IEC 27001-certified information security management system supports a structured approach to protecting information, while applicable data protection laws establish separate legal requirements.
Depending on the contractual arrangements and the purposes of processing, a translation agency may act as a data controller for certain activities and as a data processor on behalf of a customer for others.
This distinction can be particularly important for UK businesses commissioning translations of employee records, customer databases, patient information or other documents containing personal data.
International translation assignments may also involve access to information by language professionals located outside the United Kingdom.
Where international transfers of personal data are subject to UK GDPR requirements, appropriate transfer mechanisms and safeguards must be considered.
These may include relevant adequacy regulations, the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or the UK Addendum to EU standard contractual clauses, where applicable.
The precise requirements depend on the countries involved, the roles of the parties and the circumstances of the transfer.
For more information about how we handle personal data, customers should consult the Privacy Policy published on the relevant The Native Translator website.
Specialist translations for UK businesses and private clients
The Native Translator provides professional translation services across a wide range of specialist fields.
Our international network includes more than 5,500 specialist translators with qualifications from over 45 countries.
This enables us to match translation assignments with language professionals who have relevant linguistic expertise and subject-matter knowledge.
For UK businesses, we translate commercial contracts, corporate communications, annual reports, financial statements, compliance documentation, technical specifications, product information and other professional materials.
Legal translation assignments may involve contracts, litigation documents, company records, intellectual property documentation and correspondence relating to international legal matters.
Financial translations may include accounting documentation, audit materials, investment reports, banking documents and other financial information.
Medical and life sciences translations may involve clinical documentation, medical reports, patient information, research materials and pharmaceutical content.
Technical translation assignments can include engineering documents, operating instructions, software documentation, manufacturing specifications and product manuals.
We also assist private individuals with translations of personal documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, diplomas, employment records and other official papers.
The requirements for certified or authenticated translations vary according to the receiving organisation.
Our project management processes are designed to identify the relevant language combination, subject area, document requirements and intended use before an assignment is carried out.
Whether you represent a multinational company, a small UK business, a legal practice or are ordering a translation for personal use, professional quality assurance and appropriate document handling remain central considerations.
Request a quotation from an ISO-certified translation agency
If you need professional translation services for business, legal, medical, technical or personal documents, The Native Translator can help you identify an appropriate solution.
Our ISO 17100 certification provides a recognised framework for professional translation processes, while our ISO/IEC 27001 certification demonstrates our commitment to structured information security management.
To request a quotation, submit your documents and provide details of the required languages, subject matter and intended use.
If your translation is intended for a UK authority, university, court or other official organisation, please specify any certification, notarisation or authentication requirements when submitting your enquiry.
You can request a translation quotation through our online form. The form takes approximately 60 seconds to complete and submit.
Alternatively, contact The Native Translator by email to discuss your translation requirements.
The Native Translator – professional translation services supported by ISO 17100-certified quality processes and ISO/IEC 27001-certified information security management.
