In this scenario, it is a vital requirement that your machines are safe and that can be operated safely. If users do not understand correctly how a piece of your equipment works, they can’t properly use and manage them. This compromises the security of machines and users, leading to disastrous consequences for your business.

The European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is mandatory for manufacturers selling and/or distributing products in the European Union.

In section 1.7.4. Instructions of ANNEX I, the directive outlines some requirements about translation:

All machinery must be accompanied by instructions in the official Community language or languages of the Member State in which it is placed on the market and/or put into service.

The instructions accompanying the machinery must be either ‘Original Instructions’ or a ‘Translation of the original instructions,’ in which case the translation must be accompanied by the original instructions.

By way of exception, the maintenance instructions intended for use by specialized personnel mandated by the manufacturer or his authorized representative may be supplied in only one Community language which the specialized personnel understand.

In section 1.7.4.1. General principles for the drafting of instructions, it specifies that:

(a) The instructions must be drafted in one or more official Community languages. The words ‘Original instructions’ must appear on the language version(s) verified by the manufacturer or his authorised representative.

(b) Where no ‘Original instructions’ exist in the official language(s) of the country where the machinery is to be used, a translation into that/those language(s) must be provided by the manufacturer or his authorised representative or by the person bringing the machinery into the language area in question. The translations must bear the words ‘Translation of the original instructions’.

(c) The contents of the instructions must cover not only the intended use of the machinery but also take into account any reasonably foreseeable misuse thereof.

(d) In the case of machinery intended for use by non-professional operators, the wording and layout of the instructions for use must take into account the level of general education and acumen that can reasonably be expected from such operators.

This means that if you want to sell your products in Italy, you or your authorised representative must provide translations of their documentation in Italian.

Precision, accuracy, and clarity are essential elements of your manuals.

Errors are not an option.

In this respect, there are 5 main benefits of professional translation for your manufacturing business:

1. If you translate your technical documentation into Italian, your machines will speak the language of the users.
2. Translation can help prevent errors. Users can fully understand how your machines are working and can detect potential issues in real-time.
3. Translation makes it possible to fix problems before they impact end-users and businesses.
4. Translation help reduce the complexity of the management of machines and IT expenses.
5. With translation you can gain a new level of visibility. Thus, translation generates more profit for your business.

In other words, good translation is good business.