Chemical product labels contain delicate and highly important information. That’s why they must be treated with particular care. We have to make sure that everything appearing on the label is completely accurate, without the potential to lead to any misunderstandings. Even more so in the case of translations. Here, we will see why that is so important.
What are the risks involved with a bad translation?
Let’s suppose that your company sells this kind of product in another country that requires a valid GHS label. Besides having to comply with certain legislative provisions specific to that location, the translation of the label must be professional and, above all, reliable.
What can happen in the case of a bad translation?
- Possible legal action. This is one of the most evident problems, and one of the most complicated to handle. It may be the case that a poorly written or badly translated text results in the violation of legal regulations that apply in the country. And this may lead to a serious problem for the company. Generally, these types of errors are sanctioned with fines and penalties. Therefore, going for the cheap option can end up costing more in the long run. A poor-quality, yet cheap translation could ultimately lead to an enormous cost for the company. This is, without a doubt, the most evident risk.
- The possible risk to consumers. There are certain instructions that are probably more or less obvious, while this may not be the case for others. Besides which, we cannot assume the level of knowledge that users may have about our products and the possible consequences to their health and well-being. The fact of the matter is that by law we have the obligation to warn users about possible risks, and that’s what we have to do. If any of our warnings are not described correctly, not only will the finances of our company be affected, but also the health of potential consumers. In fact, this could become a major problem that may result in significant legal and financial repercussions.
- A mark on the brand image. Sometimes, these types of mistakes can be highly comical. Other times, they make one thing clear: that the company has not invested sufficiently where it really should. From going viral on social media to being, to put it simply, a demonstration of a lack of professionalism, an error in GHS translations can have huge consequences. That’s why it’s best to focus on all the details and always use an expert team for this task.
Why use professional translators?
Obviously, you could choose an online machine translator or an individual without any proven qualifications. But we have already seen the possible complications that this could entail. To avoid significant problems, there is an evident solution: always use an agency of experts and professionals who can do the job without jeopardizing your brand name in the process.
1. This type of translation involves delicate language
Technical and specific terms are used in many cases. This requires good knowledge and a solid base to avoid creating any type of ambiguity or a casual nature in the language used.
That’s why it’s necessary to have a team that masters both languages perfectly, with a native level in both the source and target languages. It’s the only way to ensure a quality translation without any type of mistake. Each word needs to be precise and exact.
2. There are often government inspections
These translations have to follow certain rules subject to applicable legislation. In other words, they are subject to governmental control, also implying that there are more eyes on these texts and warnings are issued. In short, it is necessary to have a professional team to avoid any problems with the destination country of the product.
3. It’s an investment, not an expense
We have already discussed everything that can go wrong with these translations or, rather, all the problems that can derive from a simple error. Companies often think that hiring a professional team for a task they deem to be easy is simply an unnecessary expense. But the fact of the matter is, in this context, it’s an investment. Proof of this is the huge financial cost that must be assumed by the company if this task is not done correctly. So, don’t look at it as throwing money away, rather as intelligently investing it.
In conclusion, if you have to translate chemical product labels, it’s better to always do so by seeking the advice of experts. Benefit from professional translators with a native level that can save you any problems or complications that may otherwise arise. If you want to make good decisions and benefit from professional work, don’t hesitate. Contact us to get started.
