Professional guidelines for translation service providers

Professional translators and translation companies:

•   represent their credentials, capabilities and experiences honestly
•   answer, courteously, inquiries related to services, fees and available equipment,
•   accept only assignments that they have the knowledge, resources and time to do well
•   disclose, prior to accepting any assignment, any biases that may have relevance
•   agree, before work starts, what is to be delivered, as well as how, when, and who will bear any delivery cost
•   agree, before work starts, on payment amount, timing and currency, and who will bear any payment cost
•   set their rates at levels that allow them to deliver, on an ongoing basis, the quality levels that their clients require
•   treat all sensitive information as confidential, and take steps to protect that confidentiality
•   take any and all steps necessary to ensure consistent delivery of work of a high professional standard
•   accept responsibility for the quality of work they deliver, even when that work has been subcontracted
•   do not attempt to change, after work has begun, agreed-upon terms (except by mutual consultation)
•   do everything possible to meet agreed-upon terms, even when unforeseen problems are encountered
•   do not directly contact end clients, or subcontractors, without permission
•   attempt to resolve disputes directly among parties involved
•   strive to continually improve their own skills
•   do not unjustly criticize other professionals or their work
•   capitalize on opportunities to further the industry as a whole
•   do not engage in conduct or communication unbecoming of a professional

Professional interpreters:

•   ask for clarification, and give it, when appropriate, making clear when they are speaking and not interpreting
•   do not interject their own feelings, opinions or advice
•   interact with others only to the extent required to interpret
•   do not accept assignments in which payment is contingent on the outcome of a case or proceedings

Adapted from proz.com.