Insights

In the last decade, Digital Health has evolved from an emerging concept to a global movement that’s reshaping patient care, research, and public health. From AI-powered diagnostics to wearable monitoring devices and telemedicine platforms, technology is making healthcare more accessible and personalised than ever.  But there’s one critical element that determines whether these innovations truly reach everyone: language access. Without accurate, culturally informed translation and interpreting solutions, even the most advanced digital health tools can fail to connect with patients, healthcare providers, and regulators worldwide.  The World Health Organization (WHO) defines digital health as the use of digital technologies to improve health outcomes. It spans:  Each of these components relies on clear, accurate, and culturally appropriate communication to work effectively — particularly when serving multilingual, multinational audiences.  Healthcare is inherently multilingual. Across the European Union, there are 24 official languages and dozens more regional and minority languages. In the United States, over 68 million people speak a language other than English at home.  In this global environment, a telehealth app, patient portal, or AI diagnostic interface that’s only available in one language can unintentionally exclude large segments of the population. This creates both health equity challenges and regulatory risks, since compliance often requires providing information in the patient’s preferred language.  Translation and interpreting services ensure:  In the EU, the European Commission’s Digital Health and Care Strategy is promoting cross-border health services and standardised access to health data. In the United States, the CDC reported a 154% increase in telehealth visits in early 2020 compared to the previous year.  Digital health is projected to reach a global market value of $870 billion by 2030. But this growth is only sustainable if technology is inclusive and accessible, and that means multilingual from the ground up.  While the tech itself is advancing rapidly, several hurdles remain:  A strong language solutions partner can navigate these complexities while ensuring accuracy and cultural appropriateness.  For digital health providers expanding globally, working with a partner experienced in life sciences translation and interpreting ensures that:  This isn’t just about converting words — it’s about protecting patient safety, ensuring compliance, and building trust in every market. Looking ahead, expect to see:  Technology alone cannot close healthcare gaps — communication does. As digital health continues to expand across borders, the integration of high-quality translation and interpreting solutions will be the difference between innovations that succeed globally and those that remain limited to certain markets.  Digital health is transforming care delivery worldwide, but its impact depends on whether patients, providers, and policymakers can understand and trust the information it delivers. Partnering with a specialised life sciences translation provider ensures your solutions are clear, compliant, and culturally adapted — no matter the market.  To learn more about integrating translation and interpreting into your digital health initiatives, contact us. 

Ah, summer! The season of sun, sandals, sangria...and sometimes, a surprising number of health hiccups. Whether you’re jetting off to sunny Spain, hosting family barbecues, or navigating pollen-packed picnics, taking care of your health during the holidays is essential. But here’s a question you might not think to ask: Is your health accessible in your own language when you’re away from home?  This summer, as digital health tools become more widespread and holidaymakers venture across borders, language access in healthcare is more important than ever. Let’s explore why and how small changes in communication can have a big impact on well-being.  Summer can be good for your health with more sunlight, more activity, and often a more relaxed mindset. But it’s also a season that brings specific health risks:  According to the WHO, over 1 billion people travel internationally each year, and health issues during travel are not uncommon. A study from the Journal of Travel Medicine found that up to 64% of travellers reported some type of illness during their trip, most of them minor, but still disruptive.  Now, imagine trying to explain your symptoms to a pharmacist or doctor in a language you don’t speak fluently. Stressful, right?  Digital health tools, like mobile health apps, virtual consultations, wearable devices, and online symptom checkers, have revolutionised access to healthcare. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us became more comfortable managing our health from our phones or laptops.  But there’s a catch: If these tools are only available in one language, they’re not truly accessible.  For example, a health monitoring app that only offers English content won’t be helpful for someone more comfortable reading in Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic. The same goes for telehealth platforms where interpreters aren’t available. It can lead to poor communication, misdiagnosis, or even avoidance of care altogether.  A study by the European Patients Forum revealed that language barriers were among the top five obstacles to digital health adoption. And a 2022 survey in the UK found that nearly 1 in 5 patients had difficulty understanding digital health information due to language or literacy challenges.  Let’s pause for a moment and consider what language access really means. It’s more than just translating a brochure. It’s about ensuring that patients, regardless of their language, culture, or literacy level, can understand, engage with, and act on their health information.  This includes:  When patients receive care in a language they understand, health outcomes improve. Research consistently shows that language access leads to:  And in summer — when health issues might arise in unfamiliar settings — it becomes even more important.  Let’s say Ana, a Spanish speaker from California, is visiting her cousins in rural Wales. One evening, she develops a rash and shortness of breath, possibly a food allergy reaction. Her relatives drive her to the nearest GP, but no one there speaks fluent Spanish. The digital intake forms and information screens are all in English.  Ana, understandably, is scared and unsure how to explain her symptoms. Her cousin tries to translate, but medical terminology gets muddled. In this case, having access to a simple translated symptom guide or an interpreter on a telehealth line could literally be lifesaving.  Now imagine if all the health services Ana interacted with had been translated and localised for Spanish speakers. Her stress would drop, her care would be safer, and her summer holiday wouldn’t end in confusion.  Language access isn’t just for tourists. In fact, the majority of people who face language barriers are residents and migrants in their own countries. In the UK, for instance, the Office for National Statistics reports that over 4 million residents speak a main language other than English.  So even if you’re staying home this summer, local clinics, hospitals, and digital health services must account for multilingual needs. Translation and interpretation aren't extras; they're essentials for equitable healthcare.  If you work in healthcare, digital health, or life sciences, consider how your organisation is addressing language access this summer:  And if you’re a patient, don't hesitate to ask for care in your language — it’s your right, and it could make all the difference in a time of need.  Health shouldn’t take a holiday and neither should access to it.  As we embrace the warmth, joy, and freedom of the summer season, let’s also ensure that everyone has the tools they need to stay well, no matter where they are or what language they speak.  Whether it's a sunscreen warning, allergy alert, or COVID booster information, it only works if people can understand it.  At Avantpage Life Sciences, we believe that language access improves lives. And while we won't bombard you with a sales pitch, we’d love to chat if you're working on a project involving translation, localisation, or digital health access this summer.  Get in touch. Let’s make health more accessible, in every language.  Enjoy your summer. Stay safe. Stay connected. And stay well — in your language.  

Accessibility isn’t just about technology or design; it’s about making sure everyone, in every language, can understand and use the information that matters most. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) represents a transformative shift in ensuring that all citizens, regardless of ability, can access products and services across the EU. For life sciences organisations, especially those producing medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and digital health platforms, EAA compliance introduces a new set of responsibilities.  Among these, translation and localisation play a crucial role. While much of the discourse on accessibility focuses on design and technology, language access is equally vital. In this blog post, we explore the intersection of the EAA and language services, offering a consultative look at how life sciences organisations can align their multilingual strategies with regulatory expectations.  The European Accessibility Act, adopted in 2019 and fully enforceable from June 2025, aims to harmonise accessibility requirements across EU member states. It covers a broad spectrum of products and services, including: 
The Act’s objective is to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities, enhance cross-border trade, and foster inclusive innovation. 
Though not every life sciences product falls under direct regulation, any offering involving digital interaction, patient communication, or consumer information must now account for accessibility as an embedded requirement.  It’s tempting to interpret the European Accessibility Act solely through the lens of digital and physical usability, such as screen-reader support, voice control, or touch-free navigation. But accessibility also means ensuring that people can understand the information provided.  For life sciences companies, this goes far beyond websites and apps. It includes:  Simply put: if your materials aren’t linguistically accessible, they aren’t accessible at all. Translation and localisation aren’t just supportive tasks — they are central to EAA compliance. But achieving compliance requires more than basic translation services. Language teams must work in close collaboration with accessibility experts, UX designers, and regulatory stakeholders.  Here are four areas where language access directly intersects with the EAA’s goals:  1. Plain Language and Comprehension  One of the EAA’s fundamental aims is to ensure critical information is understandable to all users, regardless of education level, native language, or cognitive ability. That means:  A high-quality translation isn’t just correct, it must also be easy to read, inclusive, and actionable.  2. Multimodal Delivery and Technical Compatibility  Translation is not just about content; it's about how that content is delivered. Multilingual accessibility must be embedded in all formats:  Digital health tools, mobile apps, and websites must integrate these localisation features from the start, not as an afterthought.  3. Cultural and Linguistic Relevance  EAA compliance also extends to cultural appropriateness. A translated user interface or medical label that uses unfamiliar idioms or culturally irrelevant references can lead to misunderstanding or even risk to patient safety. Effective localisation includes:  It’s not enough to translate. Your content must be locally resonant and safe to interpret.  4. Cross-Functional Collaboration  EAA compliance is not a one-off task; it’s an ongoing, cross-functional effort. Translation and localisation teams should be embedded early in the product lifecycle and regulatory planning to:  The EAA is not just advisory; it is enforceable. Member states are responsible for implementation, and non-compliance can result in:  For life sciences companies, even seemingly minor oversights (such as failing to provide accessible patient information in all required languages) can have significant regulatory consequences.  So, how can life sciences organisations prepare their language infrastructure for the EAA?  The European Accessibility Act reflects a broader shift toward equity, inclusion, and universal design across Europe. For life sciences organisations, translation and localisation are not optional add-ons; they are critical elements of compliance, patient safety, and ethical responsibility.  Done right, multilingual accessibility isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of language or ability, has equal access to vital health information and services.  Is your organisation prepared to meet EAA compliance through accessible, multilingual communication? Contact Avantpage Life Sciences to discuss how to ensure your translation and localisation strategies align with both regulatory requirements and the principles of inclusive design.  Let’s make accessibility the standard for everyone and in every language. 

Across the life sciences industry, language is more than just a communication tool; it's essential for maintaining regulatory compliance. Whether launching a pharmaceutical product, submitting a medical device dossier, or preparing safety data for chemicals, multilingual compliance is critical. It's not simply a requirement; it’s a strategic enabler that facilitates market access, reduces risk, and fosters trust.  How can life sciences companies communicate complex information across borders without losing meaning or risking compliance? That’s where Avantpage Life Sciences comes in, offering clarity through expertly managed translation processes.  The EU provides a harmonised regulatory framework, but each member state can enforce its own language and documentation standards. This dual-level challenge demands mastery of both EU-wide mandates, like EMA, MDR/IVDR, REACH, and local expectations.  In 2025, regulators are prioritising linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance, especially for patient-facing content. Planning early with expert support is more crucial than ever. Failure to meet both regional and EU-specific requirements can delay approvals and erode trust. Proactive, strategic language solutions are no longer optional but mission-critical. Choosing a language service provider goes beyond evaluating language proficiency. To meet regulatory requirements, translations must comply with ISO 17100 standards and, just as importantly, reflect a deep understanding of the life sciences domain. A qualified provider should be familiar with clinical trials, SmPCs, pharmacovigilance reports, and technical documentation.  That’s why at Avantpage Life Sciences, we work with professionals who are trained in both language and the scientific context, ensuring that translations meet the expectations of regulators and industry stakeholders alike.  But what does it take to get it right? Below, we highlight key elements that demand close attention when it comes to regulatory translation in the life sciences industry. Tools and technology designed to augment expert work, rather than replace it: 
These innovations enable faster delivery, higher accuracy, and greater audit-readiness.  A multistage QA approach is applied to ensure accuracy and compliance. It includes:  We also maintain version control and detailed audit trails, ensuring that your submissions withstand regulatory scrutiny.  Localisation goes beyond language: it requires cultural awareness and contextual understanding. In regulatory contexts, patient-facing materials such as IFUs, informed consent forms, and leaflets must be adapted to reflect local norms while maintaining compliance. This approach is part of the methodology adopted by Avantpage Life Sciences in its work with life sciences content. By aligning linguistic precision with cultural relevance, we help ensure that critical information is both understood and trusted by local audiences. The life sciences industry is in constant motion, shaped by new regulations, emerging technologies, and shifting patient expectations. To stay ahead, we invest heavily in continuous training for our linguists and project managers, ensuring they’re up to date with the latest regulatory guidelines, terminology standards, and industry best practices. We don’t just react to change — we build it into our workflows. By actively incorporating client feedback and regulatory updates, we refine our processes in real time, delivering translations that are not only compliant but consistently aligned with the evolving demands of global healthcare markets. Data protection is a core concern in the life sciences sector, where sensitive information is handled daily. Ensuring confidentiality, transparency, and ethical responsibility involves strict adherence to security protocols, from NDAs to encrypted file exchanges. These standards are integral to the practices followed by Avantpage Life Sciences. Our workflows are designed to align with industry-specific data protection regulations, including GDPR and HIPAA, ensuring secure handling at every stage of the translation process. Across life sciences, the consequences of inadequate translation can be far-reaching: regulatory delays, reputational harm, and, in some cases, clinical risk. Multilingual compliance should therefore be treated as a core strategic function rather than an afterthought.  Avantpage Life Sciences plays a role in this space by aligning linguistic accuracy with regulatory demands and cultural expectations, helping ensure that communication remains clear, compliant, and locally appropriate across markets.  As the industry becomes more global, language plays a critical role in ensuring safety, building trust, and gaining access to new markets Ready to strengthen your multilingual compliance strategy? Contact Avantpage Life Sciences to learn how we can support your global success.  Let’s go beyond words, together. 

As the life sciences industry continues to advance, collaboration plays a crucial role in tackling complex issues and driving meaningful progress. Recently, Avantpage Life Sciences and EmTex Life Science joined forces to address an MDR compliance challenge presented by a leading medical imaging solutions manufacturer. This collaboration exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in providing comprehensive, one-stop solutions tailored to the needs of our clients in this highly regulated sector.  The client approached Avantpage Life Sciences with a specific request. They needed their most recent Instructions for Use (IFU) translated into five languages, but also needed support with the crucial step of checking MDR compliance with EU standards. As the source text is written at their headquarters in Japan, ensuring MDR compliance with Medical Devices Class 1 EU regulations is essential. The client typically conducts MDR compliance checks in-house but, in this instance, requested that Avantpage include the task in the project scope. Given the crucial nature of both MDR compliance and linguistic accuracy, Avantpage leveraged their partnership with EmTex Life Science to tackle this challenge head-on.  EmTex Life Science, a provider of medical writing and communication services based in Belgium, brought over two decades of experience in regulatory medical writing to the table. Their EU regulatory compliance specialists meticulously reviewed the English text against EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) standards, ensuring that the content met the necessary requirements.  Once the English text received the MDR compliance stamp of approval from EmTex Life Science, Avantpage’s team of expert linguists translated the IFU into five languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Turkish. As subject-matter experts in the field, Avantpage’s teams ensured linguistic accuracy and cultural nuances were preserved throughout the translation process.  In addition to translation, Avantpage’s graphic design team played a crucial role in the project by reformatting the translated files, ensuring consistency and readability across all languages. The result was a set of IFUs that not only met MDR compliance standards but also provided clear and accessible instructions to end-users in diverse linguistic markets. Beyond delivering the translated IFUs, Avantpage went the extra mile by creating a post-project glossary for use on future client projects and updates.   Avantpage Life Sciences was delighted to partner with EmTex Life Science on this MDR compliance project as our respective company offerings are the perfect complement to one another. Both companies are trusted partners for the life sciences industry, and both are focused on what we know we do best. Avantpage’s linguists are experts in clinical trials, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotech, and the company is ISO-certified. EmTex Life Science brings a wealth of expertise in medical writing and communications services to the table, with writers specializing in preclinical, clinical, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and quality of life. Through their EmTex Academy, they also offer professional courses within the life science industry, further demonstrating their commitment to excellence and knowledge sharing.  Client testimonials speak volumes about the success of the collaboration between Avantpage and EmTex Life Science. Sales and Marketing Manager at a global manufacturer of imaging solutions, praised the seamless experience and expressed confidence in Avantpage’s continued support in navigating complex regulatory landscapes. “This was the first time we worked with a different vendor and also the first time we asked an external partner to check MDR compliance. Things were very smooth with Avantpage, who will soon begin assisting with the complex IFU update process.” – Sales and Marketing Manager at a global manufacturer of imaging solutions In conclusion, the partnership between Avantpage and EmTex Life Science exemplifies the power of collaboration in the life sciences industry. By leveraging each other’s expertise, these two industry leaders provided the client with a comprehensive MDR compliance solution that addressed their unique challenges and exceeded expectations. As the life sciences landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this will play an increasingly vital role in driving innovation, compliance, and success for clients worldwide. 

In the year since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022, we humans have been scrambling trying to figure out just what to make of artificial intelligence (AI). No matter the industry you work in — government, medicine, or even language services — the use of AI as a tool has been a hot topic for all of us this year. In the language services industry, we’ve been dealing with AI and translation for even longer now — since the rise of neural machine translation in the 2010s, AI has been an extremely powerful translation tool. But the highly fluent nature of texts produced through modern machine translation tools raises the question: When is human translation better than AI translation, and vice versa? The answer is complicated — it all depends on the type of content you need translated and the specific requirements you have for that translation. That’s why we’ve devised the following roadmap for you to determine whether you should request AI-powered translation, human translation, or a hybrid model for your language services. Here, we’ll take a look at the questions you should ask yourself before determining which approach to use in your translation needs.
The first question you’ll want to ask yourself is about the type of content that you need translated — AI is especially good at translating more technical, repetitive texts, however it still lacks the human touch necessary for more creative types of content, like pun-heavy marketing materials or nuanced blog posts, just to name a couple of examples.  While a human will generally review AI translations before you get the final product, you may find that the translation process goes more smoothly when you start with a human translator from the get-go for certain types of content. You’ll also want to consider some of the specific requirements of the project when you’re wondering which route to go. Here are just a few factors to look at: If you have a tight deadline for a given project and the content type is suitable for AI translation, AI could be the right way to go. AI tends to be much faster, where human translators need more time. That said, if the content type isn’t ideal for AI translation, you may find that the review process ends up taking longer than desired — in cases where your content needs to be translated quickly by a human, consider requesting a rush translation from a trusted language service provider. Human-produced translations are going to cost you more than an AI translation. Still, it’s important to consider the fact that human translations are typically higher quality, and mistakes resulting from an AI translation could be costly. Consider the type of content you need translated first before determining what your budget constraints allow for.
Quality expectations vary across projects — choosing between AI and human translation may also hinge on factors like the expected accuracy, cultural sensitivity requirements, and the project’s potential impact on organizational outcomes and performance. Generally speaking, human translators will be able to ensure more accurate results, as AI often makes errors in vocabulary and context. Additionally, critical content like legal or medical documents demands the precision that human translators provide. AI, while advanced, often lacks the contextual understanding required for such materials. Language service experts often note that AI translates words, not meaning, while humans translate meaning, not words. This is particularly important to keep in mind with texts that may have culturally sensitive information — certain words and phrases might come across bluntly or insensitively when directly translated into another language, and as such, a human translator is important when considering cultural sensitivity. Human translators excel in capturing cultural nuances, ensuring that the translated content aligns seamlessly with the target audience. For projects where translation quality directly impacts outcomes — think educational materials that will assist a patient in their health decisions, or a child’s individualized educational plan that will determine their educational path — investing in human expertise is generally the more strategic choice.
While AI can produce content that meets your voice requirements, human translators are generally much better at creating content that adheres to your style and voice guidelines. A common complaint about AI translation tools is that they can’t consistently account for stylistic requirements — for example, if your brand’s content strictly follows the Chicago Manual of Style, AI may not be able to adequately follow those style guidelines. While machine translation glossaries and adaptive machine translation can be useful for AI translations, human translators still have an edge here. Humans are more well-equipped to translate jargon-heavy or highly stylized texts, and it’s much easier to get them to review and follow your organization’s unique style and tone guidelines.
Because AI-powered translation tools tend to struggle with accuracy more than human translators do, it’s important to consider the risks associated with your project — that is, what could go wrong, and how can you prevent the likelihood of that happening? For highly sensitive content — medical documents, legal texts, and anything else that’s heavily regulated — human translators provide the necessary expertise to navigate complex terminologies accurately. Inaccurate translations of these kinds of texts can be costly, have legal implications, and could even be life-threatening — that means it’s important to work with a trusted human translator who can provide the most accurate translation possible. If you determine that the overall risk is low and opt for machine translation, you can mitigate risk even further by incorporating thorough review and quality assurance processes. Quality assurance tools can perform objective measures of the quality of a given translation, while human reviewers are an absolute must, as they can fill in the gaps in any AI translation. Additionally, user feedback can play a useful role in mitigating the risk associated with AI or human translation. Consider testing out a translation with a small focus group to hear their thoughts on a given translation — this will give you a sample of what end users will think when they encounter the final product, allowing you to tweak details as necessary.
Before you decide to opt for an AI translation tool over a human translator, ask yourself the following questions: Whether or not you use AI or human translation depends on a wide range of factors — and sometimes, the answer still isn’t clear. In those instances, you may find that a hybrid approach works best. At Avantpage, we recognize the value of both AI and human capabilities. Our approach integrates AI features, human expertise, and hybrid methods to ensure a customized solution that works best for your project’s unique demands. If you’re looking to learn more about whether AI translation, human translation, or a hybrid approach is best for your project, contact us today at [email protected] or submit an enquiry. We’ll help you determine and execute the most effective strategy for your project.

When you’re looking for a language service provider to translate your content into a language you’re not familiar with, it can be hard to gauge translation vendor quality.  After all, if you’re not a trained linguist who’s literate in the target language, you won’t be able to analyze the final product for linguistic or style errors. And you’ll probably have an even harder time comparing the final translation of one vendor with that of another vendor. Clients seek out language service providers to do what they can’t: translate content from the language they speak into a language they don’t speak. But even if you can’t speak the target language, there are still ways to check the quality of your final product—you don’t have to blindly assume that one vendor is the best one for your project simply because they’re more familiar with the target language than you are. Though it may be difficult—especially if you’re new to purchasing language services—you can indeed evaluate translation vendor quality using means other than language knowledge. Here, we’ve identified seven ways that clients can evaluate the quality of translations you’ve commissioned from a language service provider. If you’ve identified a handful of different translation vendors that you could potentially work with, one way to sort out high quality vendors is to ask about the steps of their translation process. Each provider has their own way of doing things. Typically, they’ll start with a basic translation—either conducted by a human translator, a machine translation tool or both. Many providers will follow this with an editing step, and even a proofreading step (this process is typically referred to as TEP, short for “translation, editing, and proofreading”). To make sure that you’re avoiding any misspellings and stylistic or cultural errors, these last two steps are especially important ways to assure a high-quality translation. Be sure to ask what steps are included in the agency’s standard pricing and what are add-ons. There may be additional steps offered at a slightly higher price point, so keep these things in mind as you compare vendors. Did you know: At Avantpage, we use the traditional TEP process, but have added two additional quality check steps at no added cost. Like many other industries, the language services industry has several certifying bodies that evaluate a company’s overall quality. When researching language service providers, check if they advertise their certifications on their website. The American Translators’ Association is well-recognized for their certifications of individual translators and linguists, while the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has several certifications relevant to the language industry, such as ISO 17100 Translation Services and ISO 9001 Quality Systems Management. Did you know: Avantpage is certified in both the ISO 17100 Translation Services and ISO 9001 Quality Systems Management.  You’ll also want to ask your vendor about their internal quality assurance processes. By doing so, you’ll be able to ensure they have some set of systems in place to maintain translation quality. To start this conversation, you can ask the provider if they have an internally dedicated QA team. If they do, ask them how big the team is and what each person does.  A well-structured QA department indicates that the vendor has a robust system of checks and balances, reducing the likelihood of errors in your translations. Additionally, vendors with internal QA teams, especially those with in-house language experts, may offer cost savings compared to those relying on external freelancers. This level of detail reflects the vendor’s commitment to consistent, high-quality work. Did you know: Avantpage has a dedicated QA department, with on-staff linguistic reviewers to manage quality control and pass savings on to you. Reviews from other clients can provide valuable insights into a vendor’s quality and reliability. Look for feedback on key factors like translation accuracy, adherence to deadlines, communication, and overall satisfaction. Pay extra close attention to reviews or quotes from clients in similar industries to yours, especially if they have similar project types, as their experiences will be more relevant to your needs. If possible, reach out to past clients directly for more detailed feedback. Consistent positive reviews and high client retention rates are strong indicators that a vendor delivers dependable, high-quality work across projects. Did you know: Avantpage shares regular client quotes on our LinkedIn page and on our client website page to help you see what our clients say about us. Language service providers that work in highly regulated industries such as government, life sciences, and healthcare, often have to complete audits for their clients. In doing this work, language service providers are able to document the quality of their work for clients that must comply with the strict regulations of their industry. By asking about their history of audit compliance, you can get a better feel for the provider’s commitment to quality—strong compliance with audits may be indicative of a higher-than-average level of quality. Did you know: Avantpage works annually with many clients to conduct compliance audits so they can adequately meet and report to overseeing organizations. Look into how long your potential providers have been working in the language service industry. The longer a company’s been around, the more likely they are to have established themselves as a high-quality provider. Additionally, look at the different lineup of clients they’ve worked with—if they’ve worked with high-profile clients in your industry (and maintained a long working relationship with them), they’re likely to be a good fit for your needs. Many agencies will provide case studies on their website or on request—these can provide you with valuable information about their clients and their professional relationships. If one case study strikes you as particularly interesting, you can also ask the vendor for more information about it to learn a bit more. You may also like: our Avantpage Case Studies page showcases the work our partners do to meet language access. Lastly, you’ll want to ask what additional checks and balances the vendor uses to maintain their translation quality. Ask them if they conduct regular quality tests on translations, as well as design and formatting if they’re relevant to your project. If they do, be sure to ask how often they conduct these checks, as well as how thorough these tests are. These tests can come in many different forms: internal assessments, surveys of project-level satisfaction, annual customer surveys, and more. Language service providers with structured processes for internal quality review and testing are more likely to demonstrate a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement. When you work with a vendor that employs a thorough set of checks and balances, you can rest easy knowing that quality is a top priority for them, as these measures help ensure that translations meet a consistent standard of quality, regardless of the project size or complexity. Did you know: Avantpage conducts regular surveys to get feedback from clients, and we have rigorous quality testing thresholds to hold ourselves accountable.  When you’re looking for language service providers to help you out with your next translation project, be sure to ask questions and do your research to make sure you’re getting the best quality possible. Though it can be a daunting task to evaluate a provider’s quality—especially if you’re not familiar with the target language—there are several steps a layperson can follow to assess a translation agency’s quality.  Here are seven that we’ve identified to help you out on your search: If you’re looking for a high-quality language service provider to help you out with your next translation project, Avantpage Life Sciences has you covered. We’ve got more than two decades of experience providing translations to clients across a wide range of regulated industries—contact us today at [email protected] or submit an enquiry to learn more.