If your product is sold internationally, ensuring that manuals are translated correctly is not just a best practice but a legal requirement in many markets. Governments mandate that official product documentation be available in the local language(s) to protect consumers and prevent misinformation. Failure to comply with language regulations can result in:
- Regulatory fines.
- Product recalls and bans from entering key markets.
- Increased liability risks due to misunderstandings or improper use.
This guide provides an overview of language requirements for product manuals by country, ensuring compliance and reducing legal risk.
European Union (EU) Translation Requirements
EU Compliance Standards
The EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and ISO/IEC 82079-1:2019 require that product manuals be available in the official language(s) of the EU member state where a product is sold.
Country-Specific Requirements
- Belgium – Dutch, French, and German.
- Spain – Spanish (Basque, Catalan, and Galician are optional but recommended).
- France – French (Toubon Law mandates this; non-compliance can lead to fines).
- Germany – German (DIN EN 82079-1 standard applies).
- Italy – Italian (Legislative Decree No. 206/2005 requires compliance).
- Netherlands – Dutch.
- Poland – Polish.
- Sweden – Swedish.
Relevant EU Regulations
EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
ISO/IEC 82079-1:2019
Non-EU European Countries
- United Kingdom – English is required post-Brexit.
- Norway – Norwegian.
- Switzerland – German, French, and Italian depending on the region.
Regulatory Sources
UK Gov Product Safety Regulations
Swiss Consumer Protection Guidelines
Asia-Pacific (APAC) Translation Requirements
- China – Simplified Chinese (GB/T 5296-2004 Consumer Goods Instructions Standard).
- Japan – Japanese (Consumer Product Safety Act).
- South Korea – Korean (Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Act).
- India – English mandatory, Hindi and regional languages recommended.
- Australia – English required.
Regulatory Sources
China’s Product Labeling Law
Japan’s Consumer Protection Law
Americas Translation Requirements
- United States – English required, Spanish recommended for accessibility.
- Canada – English and French (Official Languages Act).
- Brazil – Portuguese (Brazilian Consumer Protection Code).
- Mexico – Spanish (NOM-024-SCFI-2013 Standard).
- Argentina – Spanish.
Regulatory Sources
Canada’s Official Languages Act
Brazil’s Consumer Protection Code
Middle East & Africa Translation Requirements
- United Arab Emirates – Arabic.
- Saudi Arabia – Arabic (GCC Standardization Organization Regulations).
- South Africa – English, Afrikaans, Zulu recommended.
- Egypt – Arabic (Egyptian Consumer Protection Law).
Regulatory Sources
Saudi GCC Standards
Egypt Consumer Protection Law
Business Benefits of Compliance
- Expanded Market Access – Companies that comply with language regulations can enter and remain in global markets without barriers.
- Reduced Legal Risk – Avoid costly fines, product recalls, and lawsuits.
- Improved Consumer Trust – 80% of global consumers prefer product manuals in their native language.
Final Checklist: Are Your Manuals Compliant?
✔ Have you translated manuals into all required languages?
✔ Do they meet local compliance laws & ISO standards?
✔ Have they been professionally localized to avoid translation errors?
✔ Have they been reviewed for regulatory approval?
Ensure Your Product Manuals Meet Global Compliance Standards
Companies expanding into international markets cannot afford translation errors in product manuals. Global Lingo provides:
- Expert regulatory translations for 150+ languages
- Localization services that meet ISO compliance standards
- Guaranteed accuracy to prevent compliance issues
Ensure compliance before launching in a new market. Contact Global Lingo today.