ISO (Re)Certification: Proving our Commitment to Continuous Improvement

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.

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:

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.

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 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:

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!

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:

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.

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:

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.