ISO/FDIS 17651-3
(Main)Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working environment — Part 3: Requirements and recommendations for interpreting hubs
Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working environment — Part 3: Requirements and recommendations for interpreting hubs
This document specifies requirements and recommendations to set up, equip and run hubs for simultaneous interpreting, from where one or more interpreters provide their services to communicative events taking place elsewhere. Usability and accessibility for all interpreters, including those with special needs, will be taken into account. ISO 17651-1, ISO 17651-2, ISO 20109 and ISO 24019 contain requirements and recommendations complementing this document.
Interprétation simultanée — Environnement de travail des interprètes — Partie 3: Exigences et recommandations pour les hubs d’interprétation
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FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 37/SC 5
Simultaneous interpreting —
Secretariat: DIN
Interpreters’ working
Voting begins on:
environment —
2025-06-05
Part 3:
Voting terminates on:
2025-07-31
Requirements and
recommendations for interpreting
hubs
Interprétation simultanée — Environnement de travail des
interprètes —
Partie 3: Exigences et recommandations pour les hubs
d’interprétation
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Reference number
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 37/SC 5
Simultaneous interpreting —
Secretariat: DIN
Interpreters’ working
Voting begins on:
environment —
Part 3:
Voting terminates on:
Requirements and recommendations
for interpreting hubs
Interprétation simultanée — Environnement de travail des
interprètes —
Partie 3: Exigences et recommandations pour les hubs
d’interprétation
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2025
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Facilities . 4
4.1 General .4
4.2 Siting and visibility .4
4.3 Accessibility .4
5 Purpose-built interpreting hubs . 4
5.1 Spoken language hub booths .4
5.2 Signed language hub booths .5
6 Ad hoc interpreting hubs . 5
7 IT infrastructure . 6
7.1 General .6
7.2 Power .6
7.3 Network equipment and data transmission.6
7.3.1 Wide area network (WAN) .6
7.3.2 Local area network (LAN) .6
7.3.3 Additional data connections .6
7.3.4 Security . . .6
7.4 Control .7
8 Interpreting equipment . 7
9 Image content . 7
10 Technical control and technical support staff . 7
11 On-site assistance . 8
12 Amenities for interpreters . 8
12.1 Toilets .8
12.2 Interpreters’ room .8
Annex A (informative) Examples of spoken language hub booths . 9
Bibliography .12
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Language and terminology, Subcommittee
SC 5, Translation, interpreting and related technology, in collaboration with the European Committee
for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/SS A07, Translation and Interpretation services, in
accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
A list of all parts in the ISO 17651 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
In light of the surge in distance interpreting, new working environments for simultaneous interpreting have
developed.
This document concerns purpose-built and ad hoc interpreting hubs which allow interpreters to provide
simultaneous interpreting when they are at a location other than that of all participants of a communicative
event without a direct view of the proceedings and where technical support is provided.
Interpreting is an activity that requires high levels of concentration; therefore, the working environment
should minimize factors which add to cognitive load.
This document addresses the following:
a) distinct workplace requirements as compared to booths with a direct view of the communicative event;
b) dedicated information technology (IT) infrastructure and technical control;
c) communication between interpreters, and between interpreters and technical support staff.
This document complements ISO 17651-1 and ISO 17651-2.
v
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 17651-3:2025(en)
Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working
environment —
Part 3:
Requirements and recommendations for interpreting hubs
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements and provides recommendations for the design, equipment and
operation of interpreting hubs for simultaneous interpreting. This document also ensures the usability and
accessibility of interpreting hubs for all interpreters.
This document builds upon ISO 20109 and ISO 24019, which both contain requirements and recommendations
regarding the equipment necessary for simultaneous interpreting.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9241-303, Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 303: Requirements for electronic visual displays
ISO 16283-1, Acoustics — Field measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements — Part 1:
Airborne sound insulation
ISO 17651-1:2024, Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working environment — Part 1: Requirements
and recommendations for permanent booths
ISO 17651-2, Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ workin
...
ISO/DIS FDIS 17651-3:2025(en)
ISO/TC 37/SC 5
Secretariat: DIN
Date: 2025-05-1222
Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working environment —
Part 3:
Requirements and recommendations for interpreting hubs
Interprétation simultanée — Environnement de travail des interprètes —
Partie 3: Exigences et recommandations pour les pôleshubs d’interprétation
FDIS stage
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO
at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
E-mail: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Facilities . 4
4.1 General . 4
4.2 Siting and visibility . 4
4.3 Accessibility . 4
5 Purpose-built interpreting hubs . 4
5.1 Spoken language hub booths . 4
5.2 Signed language hub booths . 6
6 Ad hoc interpreting hubs . 6
7 IT infrastructure . 6
7.1 General . 6
7.2 Power . 6
7.3 Network equipment and data transmission . 7
7.4 Control . 7
8 Interpreting equipment . 7
9 Image content . 8
10 Technical control and technical support staff . 8
11 On-site assistance . 9
12 Amenities for interpreters . 9
12.1 Toilets . 9
12.2 Interpreters’ room . 9
Annex A (informative) Examples of spoken language hub booths . 10
Bibliography . 12
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Language and terminology, Subcommittee
SC 5, Translation, interpreting and related technology, in collaboration with the European Committee for
Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/SS A07, Translation and Interpretation services, in
accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
A list of all parts in the ISO 17651 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
In light of the surge in distance interpreting, new working environments for simultaneous interpreting have
developed.
This document concerns purpose-built and ad hoc interpreting hubs which allow interpreters to provide
simultaneous interpreting when they are at a location other than that of all participants of a communicative
event without a direct view of the proceedings and where technical support is provided.
Interpreting is an activity that requires high levels of concentration; therefore, the working environment
should minimize factors which add to cognitive load.
This document addresses the following:
a) distinct workplace requirements as compared to booths with a direct view of the communicative event;
b) dedicated information technology (IT) infrastructure and technical control;
c) communication between interpreters, and between interpreters and technical support staff.
This document complements ISO 17651-1 and ISO 17651-2.
v
Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working environment —
Part 3:
Requirements and recommendations for interpreting hubs
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements and provides recommendations for the design, equipment and
operation of interpreting hubs for simultaneous interpreting. This document also ensures the usability and
accessibility of interpreting hubs for all interpreters.
This document builds upon ISO 20109 and ISO 24019, which both contain requirements and
recommendations regarding the equipment necessary for simultaneous interpreting.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9241-303, Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 303: Requirements for electronic visual displays
ISO 16283-1, Acoustics — Field measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements — Part
1: Airborne sound insulation
EN 17037:2018+A1:2021, Daylight in buildings
ISO 17651-1:2024, Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working environment — Part 1: Requirements
and recommendations for permanent booths
ISO 17651-2:2024, Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working environment — Part 2: Requirements
and recommendations for mobile booths
1)
ISO 17651-4:— , Simultaneous interpreting — Interpreters’ working environment — Part 4: Requirements and
recommendations for signed language interpreting workspaces
ISO 20109:— 2025, Simultaneous interpreting — Equipment — Requirements
ISO 21542, Building construction — Accessibility and usability of the built environment
ISO 24019, Simultaneous interpreting delivery platforms — Requirements and recommendations
EN 17037:2018+A1:2021, Daylight in buildings
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
1)
Under preparation.
Under preparation.
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
interpreter
person who interprets
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.1.13]
3.2
interpreting
interpretation
rendering spoken or signed information from a source language into a target language in spoken or signed
form, conveying both the meaning and language register of the source language content
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.1.11]
3.3
simultaneous interpreting
mode of interpreting (3.2) performed while a speaker or signer is still speaking or signing
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.4.12]
3.4
signed language interpreting
interpreting (3.2) between two signed languages or between a signed language and a spoken language
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.4.3]
3.5
distance interpreting
remote interpreting
interpreting (3.2) of a speaker or signer in a different location from that of the interpreter (3.1), enabled by
information and communications technology
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.4.16]
3.6
simultaneous interpreting delivery platform
SIDP
) for managing the processing of audio and video
virtual environment used in simultaneous interpreting (3.3
signals during the transmission of information from speakers or signers to distant interpreters (3.1) and the
interpreters’ renditions to a distant audience
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.5.2.7]
3.7
booth
simultaneous interpreting booth
self-contained unit enclosing the interpreter’s (3.1) workspace
Note 1 to entry: One of the purposes of booths is to provide insulation, both from the noise transmitted from the booth’s
external environment into the booth itself and vice versa, and from noise passing from one booth to another.
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.5.2.1]
3.8
permanent booth
permanent simultaneous interpreting booth
booth (3.7) structurally integrated into a facility
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.5.2.2]
3.9
mobile booth
mobile simultaneous interpreting booth
free-standing booth (3.7) assembled from modular components which can be transported and set up at a
variety of facilities
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.5.2.3]
3.10
hub booth
booth (3.7) structurally integrated into a purpose-built interpreting hub (3.11)
3.11
interpreting hub
hub
facility managed by technical support staff, with hub booths (3.10) and fully equipped for the provision of
distance interpreting (3.5)
3.12
interpreter interface
equipment containing controls used by the interpreter (3.1) to facilitate simultaneous interpreting (3.3)
EXAMPLE Controls for listening, viewing, speaking, signing.
[SOURCE: ISO 20539:2023, 3.5.2.8]
3.13
hard console
interpreter console
interpreter inte
...
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