Technical translation for machinery manuals & CE technical files
We run the language side of your technical documentation programme: instruction manuals, CE technical files and CAD documentation, translated and proofread by technical linguists. A qualified linguist signs off on every document before delivery. The process is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 since 2021, and we work from Dublin across the EU and the UK.
Why the language of your instructions is a compliance question
Instructions must be in a language easily understood by users, as determined by the Member State concerned. It is a legal requirement under the Machinery Directive.
- The verified source version is labelled "Original instructions". Every other language version is "Translation of the original instructions".
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 applies from 20 January 2027, with no transition period. Digital instructions must be printable and downloadable, and stay online for at least 10 years.
- IEC/IEEE 82079-1 sets the content requirements for instructions for use. For the UK market, the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 applies.
- Market surveillance can demand the CE technical file at any time. Incomplete or untranslated documentation causes launch delay or enforcement action.
- Partial translation is a documented common failure. Safety warnings left in one language are a formal non-conformity risk.
The documents we translate
Engineering translation covers the whole regulated document set. User manual translation and CE marking translation follow the same rules.
- Technical manual translation spans instructions for use, operator manuals, installation and assembly instructions, maintenance manuals and safety instructions.
- CE technical file, EU Declaration of Conformity, Declaration of Incorporation for partly completed machinery.
- Risk assessment documentation, Safety Data Sheets, spare parts catalogues and datasheets.
- Drawing callouts, data plates, warning pictograms and HMI strings get the same treatment. CAD drawings and engineering data go through the same file workflow.
- Sales literature must not contradict the instructions. Technical documentation translation keeps catalogues and datasheets aligned.
- Medical device translation uses the same regulated-document mechanics.
- Spare parts catalogues and vehicle manuals are covered in automotive manufacturing translation.
How we work
We build your terminology first, then translate, then check compliance.
Terminology first. The glossary is built and validated before translation, then enforced in the translation management system. It is delivered with every project.
Compliance-aware QA. Checks cover Original/Translation labelling per Machinery Directive Annex I 1.7.4.1, with language-of-instructions checks under Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 Article 10(7).
Full-document coverage audit. Every safety-related passage is mapped at intake and translated. There is no partial translation.
Version control. Projects are version-controlled with update quotes and change tracking. Translation memory keeps each language version aligned with the English master. Small changes get governed post-editing, and a qualified linguist signs off on every revision.
Confidentiality. Technical files can contain source code that authorities can demand. We sign NDAs and transfer files securely, with GDPR-aligned data processing. See our data protection statement.
Certified and audit-ready
Our process is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 since 2021.
Certification. ISO 17100 governs the certified translation process, ISO 18587 governs machine-translation post-editing, and ISO 9001 covers quality management.
Tools and formats. DITA and XLIFF round-trips are standard practice, and Adobe FrameMaker MIF/XML workflows are supported. Delivery is TMS-compatible in XLIFF and TMX. The same toolkit serves software localisation.
Post-editing discipline. Post-editing follows defined specifications aligned to ISO 18587. Only human translation and post-edited work enter the ISO 17100 certified process, and a qualified linguist signs off on every document before delivery.
Audit-ready files. The technical file is mapped for completeness at intake.
See How we work for the full certified process.
Process and timeline
The timeline is anchored to your launch date and to the 20 January 2027 deadline.
Process. The process runs from document mapping at intake, through terminology alignment, to translation with obligatory revision and versioned delivery.
Launch planning. A dedicated project manager runs your schedule, with staged delivery for model-year updates and trade-fair launches. An urgent turnaround lane covers late changes.
Source updates. Source changes are quoted as updates, and change tracking shows exactly what moved between versions.
Frequently asked questions
Can you meet our launch deadline for the translated manuals?
Yes, the schedule is built backwards from your launch date. Staged delivery covers model-year and trade-fair peaks, and an urgent turnaround lane handles late changes.
How do you keep terminology consistent across our manuals?
The glossary is built and validated before translation, then enforced in the translation management system. Terminology QA is a named step in every project, and the glossary is delivered with it.
Do you use machine translation on our documents?
Only human translation and post-edited work enter the ISO 17100 certified process, and a qualified linguist signs off on every document we deliver. Where post-editing is agreed, the level is defined per document class under ISO 18587.
Will our translated instructions pass market surveillance and CE technical-file review?
Compliance-aware QA checks Original/Translation labelling and language of instructions against the Machinery Directive and Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. The technical file is mapped for completeness at intake. Terminology stays consistent between manuals, which is exactly what inspection teams check.
How do you protect confidential technical files and source code?
We sign NDAs and transfer files securely, with GDPR-aligned data processing from intake. Technical files can contain source code that authorities can demand, so confidentiality is part of the process. See our data protection statement.
What formats will you deliver, and will they work for digital instructions from 2027?
Delivery includes print-ready and web-ready formats that meet the printable, downloadable and online-availability requirements of the 2027 regime. Archive support is included.
Book a consultation
Bring your manual set, your terminology and your launch date. We will map the documents, confirm scope and return a project plan with a quote.
- A named project manager owns your schedule.
- The plan anchors to your launch date and the 2027 deadline.
- You get the glossary approach and delivery formats up front.