ISO 18587 certified translation company for full post-editing by a qualified linguist

An ISO 18587 certified translation company does not simply correct machine translation quickly. It must work with a defined process for the full post-editing by a qualified linguist of machine-translation output, assess whether the project is viable, assign qualified post-editors and check the final result before delivery.

LinguaVox is certified under ISO 18587 and provides machine translation with human post-editing for companies that need professional control over automatic translation output. The service is suitable only when the source text, language pair, sector, terminology and intended use allow a reliable post-editing workflow.

The certification is especially relevant when a company wants to use language technology but cannot accept an unverified automatic text. In that case, the value is not only the machine translation engine. The value lies in deciding whether it should be used, preparing the project, applying full post-editing and verifying the final document.

What an ISO 18587 certified company does

An ISO 18587 certified company works with a controlled process for full post-editing. The standard focuses on the human post-editing of machine-translation output. It is not simply a certification of a tool, a machine translation engine or a generic translation platform.

The provider must understand the project specifications, evaluate whether machine translation is appropriate, select competent post-editors, give them the necessary instructions and apply a final check before delivery. This process helps avoid the most common mistake in MTPE projects: treating a fluent automatic output as if it were already a professional translation.

In practice, the work begins before the post-editor touches the text. The provider must analyse the source material, file format, available terminology, target languages, expected quality and intended use. A project for internal consultation is not the same as a public manual, a product safety notice, a regulated document or a website section that will be indexed by search engines.

ISO 18587 does not certify machine translation engines

ISO 18587 does not certify DeepL, Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, Amazon Translate, ModernMT, Systran or any other machine translation system. These tools may be used in a professional workflow, but the standard applies to the human process after the automatic output has been generated.

This distinction is important. A good engine can produce useful output in one language pair and poor output in another. It may work well with repetitive technical documentation and badly with creative, legal or ambiguous content. The same engine can perform differently depending on the source text, terminology and format.

An ISO 18587 certified provider must therefore evaluate the output and not assume that machine translation is always a valid starting point. If the result is too weak, human translation or a mixed workflow should be recommended.

When certification matters for the client

It can also be useful for procurement, vendor qualification and internal quality policies. Some organisations need to show that language services are managed under recognised standards. ISO 18587 provides a specific reference for projects that start from machine-translation output and require professional human intervention.

However, the certification does not mean that every document should be machine translated. A responsible provider must say when the workflow is suitable and when it is not. That decision is part of the service.

Difference between ISO 18587 and ISO 17100

ISO 17100 applies to professional translation services in which a translator produces the target text and a second professional reviews it according to the standard. ISO 18587 applies when the starting point is the output of a machine translation system and the task is full post-editing by a qualified linguist.

The two standards are related but not interchangeable. ISO 17100 is the natural framework for human translation. ISO 18587 is the framework for full post-editing of machine-translation output. ISO 5060, by contrast, is linked to the evaluation of translation output.

This distinction helps clients choose the right workflow. If the text requires human translation from the start, ISO 17100 is more relevant. If the project is suitable for machine translation and requires professional post-editing, ISO 18587 is the more specific standard. You can see this relationship in the comparison between ISO 18587, ISO 17100 and ISO 5060.

What LinguaVox checks before accepting an ISO 18587 project

Before confirming an ISO 18587 workflow, LinguaVox checks whether the project is suitable. We review the source text, subject matter, target languages, file type, intended use, existing translation memories, glossaries, previous translations and any client instructions.

If the text is clear, repetitive and terminologically stable, machine translation with post-editing may be efficient. If the source is ambiguous, poorly written, highly creative or legally sensitive, human translation may be safer.

This initial assessment prevents unrealistic expectations. It also protects the client from paying for a workflow that appears cheaper but ends up requiring extensive rewriting. In some projects, post-editing is appropriate. In others, the right answer is translation, review or a mixed process.

Competence of post-editors

ISO 18587 pays attention to the competence of post-editors. A post-editor is not simply a bilingual person who reads an automatic text. They must have translation competence, linguistic competence in the source and target languages, research skills, cultural competence, technical skills and subject-matter awareness.

They must also understand the typical errors produced by machine translation systems. These include omissions, additions, terminology changes, mistranslated conditions, false fluency, inconsistent style, altered numbers, damaged tags and misleading sentence structure.

LinguaVox assigns projects to professionals who can work with the subject matter and the language pair. This is essential because the post-editor must decide when the automatic segment can be corrected and when it must be rewritten or translated again.

Project preparation

A certified workflow requires preparation. The project manager must collect instructions, terminology, reference files, target audience information and any relevant constraints. If the source text is problematic, pre-editing may be recommended before machine translation is applied.

In multilingual projects, preparation is even more important. One language pair may produce strong machine-translation output while another may not. A single global decision is often too simplistic. LinguaVox can apply different workflows to different languages within the same project when needed.

Good preparation improves consistency and reduces avoidable corrections. It also helps post-editors make decisions that are aligned with the client’s terminology and communication needs.

Final verification and delivery

After full post-editing, the final document must be checked against the agreed scope. This can include terminology, completeness, formatting, numbers, units, tags, links, consistency and compliance with instructions.

The final check does not replace the post-editor’s work. It confirms that the document is ready for its intended use. In technical, software or product documentation, this stage is especially important because a small formatting or terminology error can affect usability.

LinguaVox treats final verification as part of the service. The aim is not only to correct machine translation, but to deliver a controlled professional document.

When LinguaVox does not recommend ISO 18587 post-editing

LinguaVox does not recommend ISO 18587 post-editing when the automatic output is too poor, the text is too creative, the source is ambiguous or the risk is too high. Sworn translations, sensitive contracts, high-risk medical documents, legal filings and brand campaigns often require human translation from the start.

A certified company should not present MTPE as a universal solution. It is one possible workflow within a broader language service strategy. Its usefulness depends on the text, the language pair, the sector and the intended use.

When the project is not suitable, we explain the reason and recommend another approach. This may be human translation, bilingual review, terminology preparation or a mixed workflow.

Why choose LinguaVox for ISO 18587 post-editing

LinguaVox combines ISO 18587 certification with experience in professional translation, revision, terminology management and multilingual project coordination. We do not treat machine translation as a replacement for professional judgement. We use it only when it can contribute to a controlled result.

For companies, this means a clearer decision process. We can assess whether a document is suitable, define the correct workflow, assign post-editors, apply terminology and deliver a final text that meets the agreed purpose.

This approach is effective for recurring technical documentation, software content, product information, knowledge bases, corporate material and multilingual updates where quality and efficiency both matter.

How an ISO 18587 workflow is documented

A certified workflow must be traceable enough for the client and the project team to understand what has been done. This does not mean adding unnecessary bureaucracy to every assignment. It means recording the relevant specifications, instructions, resources and checks that affect the final result.

For example, the project brief may indicate the source files, target languages, expected use, level of post-editing, terminology resources, file format and delivery requirements. If a sample of machine-translation output has been assessed, the decision should also be reflected in the project setup.

This documentation helps avoid misunderstandings. It clarifies whether the service is full post-editing, human translation, review or a mixed workflow. It also helps later if the client sends updates, new batches or similar documents.

Choosing between ISO 18587 and human translation

The decision between ISO 18587 post-editing and human translation should be practical. If the automatic output is a solid base and the text is suitable, full post-editing can be efficient. If the output is unstable, misleading or too literal, human translation is usually safer.

The intended use is part of that decision. A product database, a help centre article or a technical update may be a good candidate for MTPE. A contract, a sworn translation, a brand manifesto or a sensitive medical document may not be. The same client may need both workflows depending on the document.

LinguaVox does not present one workflow as universally better. The aim is to recommend the route that gives the client the right level of quality, cost control and risk management.

Risk levels in post-editing projects

Not all post-editing projects have the same risk. A low-risk internal text may tolerate a simpler workflow. A public technical document, a safety instruction, a legal notice or a regulated product description needs more control.

Risk depends on the audience, sector, visibility, consequences of error and complexity of the content. A mistranslated term in a casual internal note may be inconvenient. The same type of error in a user manual or safety warning may be serious.

A certified company should identify these differences before starting. The purpose of ISO 18587 is not to make all projects identical, but to apply a controlled process to projects where full post-editing by a qualified linguist is appropriate.

Working with recurring clients

ISO 18587 post-editing often becomes more efficient when a client works with the same provider over time. Terminology, style, file formats, product names and preferred solutions become clearer after the first projects.

For recurring assignments, LinguaVox can maintain glossaries, instructions and reference material. This reduces repeated decisions and helps post-editors work more consistently. It also makes it easier to detect when a new document is suitable for machine translation and when it should follow another workflow.

The first project is therefore useful beyond its immediate delivery. It can create resources that improve later multilingual work, especially in technical documentation, software content, product information and corporate knowledge bases.

What clients should expect from a certified provider

Clients should expect a realistic recommendation, not an automatic promise that MTPE will always reduce costs. A certified provider should be able to explain the scope, the limits of the workflow and the information needed for an accurate quote.

The provider should also be clear about responsibilities. The client supplies the files, context and terminology when available. The language service provider assesses the workflow, assigns the post-editor, manages the process and delivers the checked text.

This clarity is part of professional service. It prevents the common problem of treating post-editing as a vague correction task and helps turn it into a controlled language process.

Frequently asked questions about ISO 18587 certified companies

What does it mean to be ISO 18587 certified?

It means that the company has a certified process for full post-editing by a qualified linguist of machine-translation output. The certification concerns the process, not a machine translation engine.

Does ISO 18587 guarantee that every text can be machine translated?

No. The provider must assess whether the project is suitable. Some texts require human translation from the start.

Is an ISO 18587 certified company different from a normal translation agency?

It may offer the same broader language services, but it has a specific certified process for full post-editing of machine-translation output.

Does LinguaVox use machine translation in every project?

No. LinguaVox evaluates each project and recommends machine translation with post-editing only when the workflow is appropriate.

Can ISO 18587 be used for legal or medical texts?

It may be considered in some low-risk or structured content, but sensitive legal, medical or sworn documents often require human translation.

What information should I send for an ISO 18587 quote?

Send the source files, target languages, intended use, deadline, format and any glossary, translation memory or previous translation available.

Request an ISO 18587 post-editing quote

Send your files and project details. LinguaVox will assess whether ISO 18587 full post-editing by a qualified linguist is appropriate or whether another workflow would be safer.