Mirela
When you’re looking to take your business into new markets, it’s easy to think, “We’ll just translate our website and we’re good to go.” Well… if only it were that simple.
The truth is, there’s also a less glamorous (but equally critical) side of expansion: regulatory compliance. Every country has its own rules about how you advertise, what you can say on your packaging, how you handle customer data, and sometimes even the colors or images you use.
In this article, we’re going to talk about localization and regulatory compliance, because it’s definitely not something you ignore or leave for later.
Localization and regulatory compliance
Regulatory compliance is the ongoing practice of aligning a company’s activities with the legal requirements, industry standards, and official guidelines that govern its operations. It means ensuring that every aspect of the business follows applicable laws while actively implementing measures to satisfy all relevant oversight obligations.
Each country has its own unique set of laws and regulations, and they govern everything from data privacy to product labeling. When you integrate localization with your business strategy from the outset, you can address legal complexities. So instead of scrambling to adjust to regulations after entering a new market, better make sure that your products, services, and content are compliant from day one.
The shield of compliance
As we mentioned, a growing number of countries have data localization laws, which require that data on their citizens be stored and processed within their borders. European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a prime example. Localization ensures that a company’s data infrastructure and practices are aligned with all the different local laws, preventing costly violations.
If you’re operating in industries like pharmaceuticals and food and beverage, it becomes even more important to localize your product labeling and packaging. In these cases, it’s critical to translate and adapt instructions, warnings, and ingredients to meet local standards. It’s a way of ensuring both compliance and consumer safety.
Accessibility through content adaptation
Digital content should be accessible to everyone. Organizations like the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) have established Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide a benchmark for inclusive design. Although not a formal regulatory body, WCAG’s standards have been widely adopted by governments and organizations globally.
These guidelines directly influence localization by requiring language identification and assistive technology compatibility. The primary language of a webpage, as well as any changes in language for specific words or phrases, must be clearly specified in the code. Websites must be optimized to work seamlessly with technologies like screen readers. This means providing clear text alternatives for images, and offering subtitles or sign language interpreters for video content in multiple languages.
In the United States, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act enforces similar mandates, requiring federal agencies and businesses to ensure their electronic and information technology is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Legal and ethical safeguards for global audiences
Another aspect of global business is protecting user data. The GDPR in the European Union sets a high standard for data privacy, which has been emulated worldwide. A key principle of GDPR is the right to be informed. As such, any translated content must be written in clear language that is easy for the average person to understand.
Language service providers themselves are held to a variety of professional and ethical standards. Many seek ISO certifications to demonstrate their commitment to quality and process integrity. ISO 17100:2015 specifically outlines rigorous requirements for the translation process, while ISO 18587:2017 provides standards for the post-editing of machine-translated text.
Wrapping up
At the end of the day, dealing with all the rules and regulations in different countries can feel overwhelming. But that’s what makes localization and regulatory compliance so important. It’s not enough to translate content; you also have to make sure it’s compliant and that your business won’t run into legal trouble.