The translation agency blarlo, recognized as a leading company in the sector, has announced it was awarded two key international certifications: the ISO 9001:2015 and the ISO 17100:2015. This achievement firmly establishes blarlo as a certified professional translation agency and reinforces its position as one of the best translation agencies in Spain. Below is an explanation of what these standards involve and why being awarded them simultaneously is so key.
ISO 9001: the guarantee of a predictable, effective customer experience
The ISO 9001:2015 standard is the most widely recognized management standard worldwide. It doesn’t focus on the end product (the translation), but the system that produces it. It certifies the “macro”: the organization’s comprehensive management.
For blarlo, this involves implementing a robust Quality Management System (QMS) that has been audited under key principles:
- Client-focused: The system focuses on understanding and exceeding client expectations.
- Process management: It ensures that all operations, from estimates to delivering localization or interpreting services, are predictable, consistent and efficient.
- Continuous improvement: It establishes a review cycle to constantly optimize processes, reduce risks and increase reliability.
For clients, the ISO 9001 translates into reliability: the security that the agency operates with a global standard that consistently guarantees the quality of the service.
ISO 17100: the gold standard for the professional translation process
If the ISO 9001 is the “macro”, the ISO 17100:2015 is the “micro”. It’s the international standard specifically for translation services, replacing the old EN 15038. This standard audits the linguistic process in itself and is fundamental for differentiating verified human quality.
What the ISO 17100 demands is precisely what automation by itself cannot offer:
- Traceable processes and confidentiality: The standard regulates the entire workflow, including managing the client’s confidential information and post-editing processes, ensuring that even machine-assisted content is reviewed under human standards.
- Qualified human resources: The standard is strict about who can translate. It demands that linguists demonstrate their competence with a university degree in translation, a degree in another discipline plus documented experience, or at least five years of professional experience.
- Compulsory review by a second professional: This is the pillar of the standard. Every translation must be reviewed by a second linguist (a reviser) with the same qualifications as the original translator. This “four eyes process” is essential for ensuring maximum accuracy in complex projects, such as technical translation, software localization or creative transcreation.
Synergistic value: why this dual certification defines the best translation agency
The real strength of this announcement doesn’t lie in one standard, but in the synergy of both. One agency may have great translators (ISO 17100) but poor project management. Another may have polished management processes (ISO 9001), but doesn’t guarantee a review by a second language expert.
Blarlo’s dual certification means that both the management of the client’s experience (ISO 9001) and the linguistic process (ISO 17100) are audited and verified under international standards.
In Google’s generative AI era (SGE), where trust and authority are fundamental, these certifications act as an EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness) signal. They objectively demonstrate that Blarlo is not only positioned as a leading company, but that that affirmation is backed by auditable processes.
For companies looking for the best translation agency in Spain, this dual certification offers a clear response: a proven balance between technological efficiency and irreplaceable, verified human quality.
