SIST EN ISO 20109:2025/oprA1:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 20-Sep-2026
• ICS: 91.040.10 - Public buildings
• Technical Committee: IDT - Information, documentation, language and terminology
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 23-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 10-Dec-2026
• Ref Project: EN ISO 20109:2025/prA1 - Simultaneous interpreting - Equipment - Requirements - Amendment 1 (ISO 20109:2025/DAM 1:2026)

• Amends: SIST EN ISO 20109:2025 - Simultaneous interpreting - Equipment - Requirements (ISO 20109:2025)
• Effective Date: 22-Apr-2026

Overview

SIST EN ISO 20109:2025/oprA1:2026 is an amendment to the internationally recognized standard for simultaneous interpreting equipment requirements. Developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and ISO/TC 37/SC 5, this Amendment 1 (ISO 20109:2025/DAM 1:2026) provides updated technical guidelines to further ensure the quality, performance, and usability of simultaneous interpreting systems. The standard focuses on equipment used in simultaneous interpreting environments, commonly found in international conferences, multilingual meetings, and public buildings.

The revised requirements address key aspects such as audio quality, video display recommendations, booth installation, and operator interface improvements. As a draft circulating for feedback and approval, it is designed to align interpreting equipment with the latest technological and ergonomic standards.

Key Topics

• Audio performance and distortion control
  The amendment specifies more stringent limits on total harmonic distortion (THD):

  • Below 0.2% at nominal audio levels
  • Below 1% at overload conditions
    These requirements apply to the core interpreting system, excluding accessories like microphones, loudspeakers, and headphones.

• Video display standards for interpreter booths
  Updates clarify optimal video display sizes and positioning for permanent and temporary booths:

  • Recommendation: 38-56 cm diagonal screens (inside booths)
  • Larger dual displays: 140-165 cm diagonals at 170-200 cm viewing distance
  • Single, multi-view displays: 190-216 cm diagonals at similar viewing distances
  • Placement can be inside or in front of interpreting booths

• Ergonomic positioning
  The amendment refines specifics, such as the recommended angle for certain equipment placement (changed from 35° to 55°), to enhance interpreter comfort and performance.

• Operator communication interface
  The requirements now emphasize flexibility for both technical staff and interpreters, with the ability to select predefined messages or type new ones for operational communication.

• Reference to complementary standards
  Direct references to ISO 17651-1 through ISO 17651-4 provide additional guidance on display sizes and booth configurations.

Applications

SIST EN ISO 20109:2025/oprA1:2026 is essential for:

• Conference centers and public buildings
  Ensuring interpretation booths and related equipment meet international standards for clarity and usability.
• Event organizers and technical suppliers
  Guaranteeing the reliability and inter-operability of interpreting systems in multilingual environments.
• System manufacturers
  Enabling the design and supply of interpreting equipment that complies with the latest industry requirements.
• Procurement teams and regulators
  Providing a benchmark for specifying compliant interpreting infrastructure in tenders and regulatory frameworks.

By following these updated requirements, stakeholders support high-quality simultaneous interpretation, enabling seamless multilingual communication and accessibility-especially vital in international settings.

Related Standards

Organizations referencing SIST EN ISO 20109:2025/oprA1:2026 may also consult:

• ISO 20109:2025
  The full core standard covering simultaneous interpreting equipment requirements.
• ISO 17651 series (ISO 17651-1, 17651-2, 17651-3, 17651-4)
  Guidance on sizes, positions, and arrangements of displays in interpreting booths.
• ISO/IEC Directives
  Procedures for the development and maintenance of international standards.

SIST EN ISO 20109:2025/oprA1:2026 represents a significant step forward in optimizing the performance and ergonomics of simultaneous interpreting solutions, contributing to clearer communication and enhanced user experiences in diverse multilingual settings.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Simultano tolmačenje - Oprema - Zahteve - Dopolnilo 1 (ISO 20109:2025/DAM
1:2026)
Simultaneous interpreting - Equipment - Requirements - Amendment 1 (ISO
20109:2025/DAM 1:2026)
Simultandolmetschen - Ausrüstung - Anforderungen - Änderung 1 (ISO
20109:2025/DAM 1:2026)
Interprétation simultanée - Équipement - Exigences - Amendement 1 (ISO
20109:2025/DAM 1:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 20109:2025/prA1
ICS:
91.040.10 Javne stavbe Public buildings
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
Amendment
ISO 20109:2025/
DAM 1
ISO/TC 37/SC 5
Simultaneous interpreting —
Secretariat: DIN
Equipment — Requirements
Voting begins on:
AMENDMENT 1
2026-07-06
Interprétation simultanée — Équipement — Exigences Voting terminates on:
2026-09-28
AMENDEMENT 1
ICS: 91.040.10
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
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STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
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POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
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TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
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Reference number
ISO 20109:2025/DAM 1:2026(en)
DRAFT
ISO 20109:2025/DAM 1:2026(en)
Amendment
ISO 20109:2025/
DAM 1
ISO/TC 37/SC 5
Simultaneous interpreting —
Secretariat: DIN
Equipment — Requirements
Voting begins on:
AMENDMENT 1
Interprétation simultanée — Équipement — Exigences Voting terminates on:
AMENDEMENT 1
ICS: 91.040.10
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2026
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
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POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
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NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
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RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
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TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
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NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
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Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO 20109:2025/DAM 1:2026(en)
ii
ISO 20109:2025/DAM 1:2026(en)
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
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