How Eurideas Helped ISOPA/ALIPA Meet EU Regulations: Translating Chemical Safety Training Materials into Multiple Languages
Since 2010, Eurideas has collaborated with ISOPA and ALIPA – trade associations representing European manufacturers of diisocyanates, polyols, aliphatic isocyanates and polyisocyanates. In 2022, we expanded our partnership to help them meet new regulatory requirements under the EU’s REACH regulation. That regulation requires workers handling diisocyanates to undergo certified safety training across Europe. To ensure full compliance, ISOPA and ALIPA developed comprehensive training materials, which needed to be translated into all the official EU languages, and later into non-EU languages as well.
The Challenge
In response to new REACH regulations requiring mandatory training for all industrial and professional users of diisocyanates by August 2023, ISOPA and ALIPA together developed comprehensive training materials to ensure workers across Europe are properly trained in the safe handling of such chemicals. The training covers topics like chemical safety protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE), and first-aid procedures, ensuring compliance with stringent EU health and safety standards.
We were asked to proofread and post-edit those highly technical training materials, which had been translated using AI into multiple EU and non-EU languages. The materials, including presentations, video voiceovers, scripts, e-learning modules, and other digital resources, were carefully refined to ensure the accuracy of the terminology. As a result, the training content is now fully available in several languages without compromising on the precision required by diisocyanate safety regulations. That ensures workers can meet the mandatory training requirements in their native language.
Due to the large volume, ISOPA / ALIPA used an AI solution to generate the translations. We were then brought in to provide crucial post-editing and proofreading services to ensure the linguistic and technical accuracy of the content. The challenge was not only the sheer volume of material but also the highly specialised nature of the chemical terminology.
The Process
Our expertise in technical translations – particularly in the field of chemistry – enabled us to manage this project effectively. Our team of experts carefully reviewed and refined the AI-generated translations to ensure that all materials were accurate and consistent. We handled large amounts of content while maintaining a strong focus on industry-specific terminology.
Initially, the translations focused on some EU languages (Bulgarian, Croatian, Irish, Swedish, Slovak, Slovenian, and Romanian). However, as the project expanded, we also translated the content into Turkish, Russian, and Chinese. Since then, all the other EU languages have been translated internally through the efforts of members and partner associations of ISOPA and ALIPA. That has allowed ISOPA and ALIPA to offer training materials beyond Europe, in line with the global nature of their safety initiatives.
Success and Impact
We asked ISOPA/ALIPA about their experiences of working on this project and the impact of their training initiatives. Below is the interview, in which they shared their insights on the success of the programme, the role of translation and their collaboration with Eurideas.
Q: How many workers have been trained so far? How many training sessions were delivered?
ISOPA/ALIPA:
“ISOPA is proud to say almost 800,000 workers have been trained via our online platform alone. In addition to that, many have been trained via internal and external trainers, other online platforms and companies conducting training internally. Already around 1 million workers are estimated to have been trained via our own platform, our partners, and our network. We are therefore also excited to share that we intend to further expand the training to a global scale to deliver valuable training to workers worldwide.”
Q: How did the translation and post-editing improve the effectiveness of your training programme?
ISOPA/ALIPA:
“Automated translation programs only get you so far. When it comes to highly specialized and technical subjects, we require expert human translations. This is especially the case when talking about vital issues such as human safety, where all small details matter greatly. It is therefore crucial that the translations are accurate and appropriate. Without the professional work of Eurideas, it would not have been feasible to produce the training in all required languages.”
Q: Can you share a few words about your experiences of working with Eurideas on this project? How did our service contribute to the overall success of the initiative?
ISOPA/ALIPA:
“Eurideas has been a great help to us with providing technical translations for languages. Collaborating with an external translation organization can be a highly beneficial experience, especially when working under time pressure on multilingual projects. Eurideas’ professionalism ensured accurate and appropriate translations, key to maintaining the clarity of the content. Moreover, timely delivery and open communication are also strengths that make working together with Eurideas a seamless process.”
Why Eurideas?
This project highlights our strong ability to handle specialised technical content, particularly within the chemical industry. Our deep understanding of chemical terminology and commitment to delivering high-quality translations have made us a trusted partner of ISOPA / ALIPA. We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive multilingual solutions that meet the needs of global organisations navigating complex regulatory environments.
As ISOPA / ALIPA continue to expand their training efforts to ensure safety and compliance, Eurideas remains their trusted partner for the delivery of multilingual solutions tailored to the needs of a highly specialised industry.