ASTM F3130-18
The ASTM F3130-18 standard establishes infrastructure, operations, and development requirements for language service companies to meet customers’ needs continually. Minimum requirements for revenue, insurance, customer satisfaction and human resources, provide purchasers of language services companies confidence that they are being looked after by a real company rather than an independent one.
This standard gives purchasers of services confidence that you are a real service company rather than a freelancer as an individual cannot meet the requirements of this standard.
Orion is the only auditing firm specializing in the language industry in North America.
We work with over 300 language service companies and have been supporting Languages Canada members for over 10 years. We are currently the only firm endorsed by three language industry associations to audit their membership and offer certification to most of the commonly requested language industry standards.
Our vast and lengthy experience means that we truly know and understand the language industry, including its typical processes, software, and industry terminology. As a result, our auditing services are efficient and effective, and we will work with you to establish mutual goals up front to make sure your needs are fully met. If you are looking to certify to multiple standards, we also provide integrated audits so you can achieve certification to multiple standards in one audit (e.g. ISO17100 / CGSB 131.10 / ISO 9001), ultimately saving you both time and money. We also give back to the language industry by sponsoring industry events and providing free webinars on standards.
Why Work with Orion on ASTM F3130-18?
Orion Assessment Services is a third-party certification company. Because we have actively supported and certified language organizations for over 15 years; we are well known and globally-recognized for our quality audit services and integrity.
Within the language industry, Orion has provided more audits for standards certifications than any other North American firm.
We are the only firm able to certify to all the following Language Industry Standards:
ISO 18841 – Interpreting Services
Other translation and interpretation standards such as ISO 17100, ISO 9001 and ASTM F2576 integrate well with ASTM F3130-18.
Breakdown of the Standard
The F3130-18 standard focuses on the language service company’s credibility, longevity, and reliability in the delivery of language services. The goal is to provide a means for corporate and government purchasing agents to distinguish between legitimate, reliable, and capable language service companies and other purveyors of language services. Rather than focusing on the minutiae of providing language services, the F3130-18 standard covers the language service company’s:
Operational health
Financial health
Insurance coverage
Adherence to the law
Client satisfaction
Ability to recruit and screen employees
Data and physical security
Commitment to Quality Control (QC)
Commitment to Quality Assurance (QA)
Adequacy of IT resources (hardware and software)
Ability to recruit and screen qualified Independent Contractors
Overview of the Audit Process
Orion Assessment Services can assist your organization in achieving certification from the initial application request, and through to the required stages which include:
Step 1:
Submit Application
Submit Application
This will serve as your agreement with Orion. The terms and conditions must be signed and returned to Orion along with any required deposit.
Step 2:
Book Your Audit
Book Your Audit
Determine a mutually agreeable time with your assigned auditor.
Step 3:
Audit Conducted
Audit Conducted
The audit is conducted to ensure the system is implemented according to the requirements of the standard. The key deliverables from this stage include the onsite review report detailing positive aspects, weaknesses and areas for improvement and the recommendation regarding your certification. If there are any issues, they must be closed within the required timeline.
Step 4:
Certification Review
Certification Review
The results from the audit are assessed by a senior auditor to
ensure a proper recommendation has been made. At this point, approval is given to issue a certificate.
Step 5:
Receive Your Certificate
Receive Your Certificate
The deliverable from this stage is the certificate.
Step 6:
Maintenance Review
Maintenance Review
Every two years, Orion must conduct an onsite review to verify the management system continues to be maintained within the organization.
Step 1:
Submit Application
This will serve as your agreement with Orion. The terms and conditions must be signed and returned to Orion along with any required deposit.
Step 2:
Book Your Audit
Determine a mutually agreeable time with your assigned auditor.
Step 3:
Audit Conducted
The audit is conducted to ensure the system is implemented according to the requirements of the standard. The key deliverables from this stage include the onsite review report detailing positive aspects, weaknesses and areas for improvement and the recommendation regarding your certification. If there are any issues, they must be closed within the required timeline.
Step 4:
Certification Review
The results from the audit are assessed by a senior auditor to
ensure a proper recommendation has been made. At this point, approval is given to issue a certificate.
Step 5:
Receive Your Certificate
The deliverable from this stage is the certificate.
Step 6:
Maintenance Review
Every two years, Orion must conduct an onsite review to verify the management system continues to be maintained within the organization.
ASTM F3130-18 Certified Companies
The following companies have achieved successful certification to the ASTM F3130-18 standard:
| Company Name | Location | Certificate Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Global Translations and Consulting | Midland, MI, USA | 01/09/2025 |
| SOS International LLC | Reston, VA, USA | 09/24/2023 |
| Interpreters & Translators, Inc. | Glastonbury, CT, USA | 04/01/2024 |
| Certified Languages International | Portland, OR, USA | 03/19/2025 |
| Bromberg & Associates, LLC | Hamtramck, MI, USA | 02/23/2025 |
| INGCO International | Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA | 06/25/2025 |
| TRANSLATION BACK OFFICE SA | Córdoba, Argentina | 11/16/2024 |
| Language World Services Inc. | Carmichael, CA, USA | 3/29/2025 |