BLOGS
ISO (Re)Certification: Proving our Commitment to Continuous Improvement
July 11, 2024
At Rubric, we know trust is everything to our clients. When companies partner with us to localize their global content, they need to have complete confidence that we’ll handle their project with the care and attention it deserves. And one way we can demonstrate that Rubric is a trustworthy supplier is through external validation.
Our ISO certifications provide the objective proof of quality processes that clients are looking for. But they’re not just something you complete once, then file away forever. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) requires businesses to be recertified every three years, and we’re proud to have achieved that milestone recently.
What ISO certifications does Rubric have—and why?
Our first ISO certificate, gained in 2018, covered translation (ISO 17100). As a localization provider, it was important to us to demonstrate the quality of our translation service—for example, working with suitably qualified linguists, and establishing the right processes and resources to plan and manage projects, ensure compliance, and deliver client satisfaction.
But our work goes beyond pure translation, so in 2021 we added to our credentials to prove the strength of our business as a whole.
This brought our total ISO certifications to 5:
- ISO17100 – Translation Services
- ISO9001 – Quality Management
- ISO27001 – Information Security Management
- ISO14001 – Environmental Management
- ISO22301 – Business Continuity
You can read more about these on our certifications page.
All of these add value for our clients. For example, as the range of digital threats continues to grow, businesses are increasingly looking for assurances around information security and business continuity. They also expect suppliers to show a commitment to environmental sustainability. Although our own environmental impact isn’t huge, it’s something we care deeply about: reducing waste is part of our DNA, and we’re always looking for ways to do better.
So, what does recertification look like?
Recertification isn’t just a one-off check—it involves a continuous cycle of improvement over a three-year period. We have a rolling program of internal audits, assessing different processes each month to ensure we keep meeting the required standards and identify any areas for improvement.
Kim Kerr, our Global Content Business Analyst, explains:
"The internal audits challenge us to look at all our processes and procedures cohesively. If we change one thing, does that have a knock-on effect elsewhere, or introduce a new risk? Gaining that detailed oversight of our whole business has been really valuable."
The ISO standards are also regularly updated to ensure they remain fit for purpose in a changing world. So we not only had to prove we had maintained the previous standards, but also demonstrate continuous improvement and development. One example is climate change, which has been embedded into all the standards. While individuals at Rubric are committed to doing the right thing, we had to dive deeper into our supply chains and identify potential climate-related risks.
As well as our ongoing internal review, we undergo an external “surveillance audit” each year. Among other things, this makes sure that our business management plan and internal audits are working efficiently, that systems and processes are being maintained, and that any recommendations are implemented.
Kim adds:
"If we missed anything, the external auditors would be sure to spot it!"
The final stage is the recertification audit. Following this in-depth assessment, we were proud to be recertified for the next three years—and the cycle will continue!
Keeping colleagues in the loop
ISO certifications are important to clients, but we couldn’t achieve them without the backing of our own team. After all, they’re the people who will be implementing our processes day in, day out.
Susannah Eccles, Rubric CEO, comments:
"ISO is especially important to us as an employee-owned business. It supports our culture of continuous improvement, where people have real involvement and responsibility for how things are done."
This is why we were keen to involve people across the business in the recertification process, rather than completing it behind closed doors. We know we can achieve better outcomes when everyone plays their part and understands the difference they make.
Not just box checking
It’s easy to assume that once you have an ISO certificate under your belt, the hard work is done. But Susannah is clear that it goes far beyond a certificate on the wall or a badge on our website:
"ISO is absolutely not a box-checking exercise for us—we use it as a check and balance across our business. We were confident that we were already meeting or exceeding the required standards, because these are all things that benefit our clients. But our business management system in place supports that extra level of trust in Rubric as a global content partner. It supports our focus on quality and our drive to continuously improve and innovate."
Looking ahead, we will continue to maintain—and improve—our Business Management System to support our five ISO certifications, as well as monitoring what might become relevant to our business and our clients.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for localization support, consider partnering with Rubric. There are many reasons clients choose us—our years of experience, our expert translators, our cutting-edge tools, and our human touch, to name a few. Our ISO certifications are the icing on the cake.
Our ISO Certifications
ISO 17100 — Translation services
This certification demonstrates that Rubric meets all the requirements of ISO 17100:2015, the global standard for translation service providers. It is certifies that our internal processes are geared towards giving you the best quality translations and content management services and that we always have the resources to deliver on your needs. See our ISO 17100 certificates for Rubric Europe and Rubric Inc (USA)
ISO 9001 — Quality management
This certification demonstrates that Rubric meets all the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. It certifies that we are able to consistently provide products and services that meet our clients' needs while meeting all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. It also certifies that our processes are designed to enhance client satisfaction and go through a process of continuous improvement.
See our ISO 9001 certificate
See our ISO 9001 certificate
ISO 27001 — Information security management
This certification demonstrates that Rubric meets all the requirements of ISO 27001:2013. It certifies that we have established information security management systems and that we continually maintain and improve these systems. It includes requirements for how we assess and treat information security risks, and certifies that we systematically review potential threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts.
See our ISO 27001 certificate
See our ISO 27001 certificate
ISO 14001 — Environmental management
This certification demonstrates that Rubric meets all the requirements of ISO 14001:2015. It certifies that we systematically manage our environmental responsibility and that our operations do not negatively affect the environment. It shows that we have fulfilled all compliance obligations and that we are committed to ongoing sustainability.
See our ISO 14001 certificate
See our ISO 14001 certificate
ISO 22301 — Business continuity
This certification demonstrates that Rubric meets all the requirements of ISO 22301:2012. It certifies that we have the systems and resources in place to serve our clients even in the face of disruptions. It shows that we can maintain a consistent level of service even in situations that threaten the normal way of working.
See our ISO 22301 certificate
See our ISO 22301 certificate