Translating sustainability reports
The sustainability report forms an essential part of a company's annual report. Translating the sustainability report is an important task that requires specific skills, particularly in EU law. These skills are rarely found in-house in an industrial company. For accurate results and the effective use of time, the project should be left to a language service provider.
Språkbolaget has years of experience with annual reports and sustainability reports, and you can depend on us to have the necessary skills to translate your reports in the best possible way!
What do we mean by sustainability reporting?
Sustainability reporting is regulated by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which is being gradually incorporated into Swedish law. A growing number of companies are becoming legally obliged to report on sustainability, and even more are doing so to emphasise their environmental awareness and maintain positive relations with their customers. Sustainability reports are not only written and translated because the law requires it, but also because they’re an effective communication and marketing tool.
Translating sustainability reports into the various languages in all of a company's markets is a big, important task, and one that not only requires great skill and many years’ experience from the language service provider, but also from the individual translators and reviewers.
Sustainability reports are lengthy documents, the content of which is partly regulated by law. They reflect a company's operations and environmental management in its own words, but in accordance with strict templates. It’s not uncommon for the legally regulated sustainability report to form part of a longer and more freely worded sustainability account (which is not governed by law to the same strict degree). To process such documents, we select translators with many years’ experience, high productivity, knowledge of the operations of the company concerned, and documented experience in EU legislation. A sustainability report is no task for beginners.
We have the knowledge, the know how and the network of translators and reviewers necessary for processing sustainability reports.
What is required of a language company that translates sustainability reports?
-
Many years' experience in project management. -
Xxtensive knowledge of the reporting company's operations, products and message.
-
An ability to coordinate a major project involving many players – translators, reviewers and the client's experts.
-
An ability to stick to agreed delivery schedules despite the many parties involved. Deadlines can rarely be moved in projects of this nature.
We're experts in project management, having translated numerous sustainability reports and statements for both medium-sized enterprises and stock market giants into Swedish, English, and various other languages
What is required of a sustainability report translator?
-
Many years' experience as a translator.
-
Xxtensive knowledge of the reporting company's operations, products and message.
-
Knowledge of finance, environmental issues, sustainability, corporate social responsibility and AI.
-
Knowledge of European Union law and legal conditions in the target-language country.
-
Knowledge the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
-
Knowledge of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), the standard applied to sustainability reporting in the EU.
-
Knowledge of the EU Taxonomy Regulation and its environmental objectives; this legislation applies throughout the EU when assessing various environmental and sustainability aspects.
-
An understanding of concepts such as ”double materiality”, ”carbon dioxide equivalent”, ”life cycle analysis”, ”resilience” and others.
You can always depend on Språkbolaget to choose the most experienced translators for this type of assignment, as we know sustainability reports demand a high degree of skill and experience. Our translators work together using shared, continuously updated databases, terminology lists and communication platforms.
AI when translating sustainability reports?
AI forms a natural part of virtually all commercial activity, and translation is no exception. AI performs important functions for many language service providers in project management, scheduling, budgeting and administration. Translators may use AI to sort relevant reference documents from the vast amount of material generated by the EU and other sources, and to compile general information about new regulations and developments. Translators also use AI for quality assurance, not only making sure spelling and grammar are perfect, but also that all national and internal company target-language style guides are met. AI helps translators ensure consistency between a project’s different documents and guarantee accurate terminology usage throughout in full compliance with the client's instructions.
In the case of annual reports and sustainability reports, it’s not advisable to let AI play a decisive role in the translation itself. While AI can certainly work on the periphery of the translator's screen and provide ideas during the translation process, it is the translator who must decide how every single sentence in a document should be translated with the support of applicable legislation, EU documents, the client's validated reference material and the translator’s own many years of experience. Because sustainability reports are documents of legal and financial significance that reflect a company's soul, they are far too important to leave to the unpredictability and inconsistency that characterise purely AI-driven translation.
We’ve been following developments in AI in the language industry from the very beginning and we know where the technology is useful, and where it is not. We know which assignments require experienced translators rather than AI.
Articles worth reading
Translating sustainability reports now doubly important
Today, sustainability work is a natural part of everyday life for businesses, and double materiality assessment has become an increasingly important process within...
Translation of sustainability report
Does your company publish a sustainability report? If so, you are far from alone. According to the latest edition of...
Translation of annual reports and financial statements
At the beginning of the year, many people are busy preparing their company’s financial reports. While the year-end report is being put together, quarterly reports...
A changing document landscape and non-EU languages
The EU's directives and regulations on sustainability reporting are under continuous development. A translator can rarely afford to simply copy text from last year's sustainability report as both the content of directives and regulations and their official translations may have changed. One of the most important tasks when translating sustainability reports is keeping track of what constitutes applicable EU law, and how applicable law has been translated into other languages by the EU's Directorate-General for Translation. List is detective work that places great demands on the translator's knowledge of European Union law and the legislative process in the EU.
An example of an area where intensive development is in progress concerns the principles for reporting the indirect environmental impact of a company's products in the stages before and after its own operation (”upstream” and ”downstream” respectively).
Sustainability reports sometimes have to be translated into non-EU languages, and in such cases there are seldom any official EU documents for the translator to turn to; instead, it’s a matter of searching for validated reference material and reliable sources of information, as well as following the convention for the document type in the target language region.
We stay abreast of developments in the field of sustainability in terms of language and content, and we coach our translators and reviewers in the efficient use of technology and reference materials.
See what our customers have to say
”It was important for us to find a partner with experience from our industry in order to make sure the terminology was correct. Språkbolaget led us throughout the process and delivered quality in a very short space of time. Now we’re looking forward to reaching out to new target audiences. ”
Maria Öst, Communications Officer, Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Service
“We’re very pleased with the collaboration and especially the excellent communication with our project manager. It was easy to get in touch and ask questions, and we were kept informed along the way, which made for a smooth process, even though it was a relatively big and time-consuming project.””
Andreas Stridh, Product and Quality Manager, Pharma Systems
“We were truly glad we chose Språkbolaget to translate our book. They always replied quickly and were responsive to our needs. They stuck to their commitments, which combined with their personal approach, made us feel safe and ‘visible’ throughout the process.”
Niklas Eriksson and Pär Skoglund Finquist, authors of “The Leader’s Gearbox”.
“We’re extremely satisfied with Språkbolaget. They translate our annual reports and a great many other business documents besides, which they always do quickly and accurately, even when time is tight. And because they’re also very pleasant and easy to work with, we always feel we’re in safe hands.”
“The online youth clinic Umo.se, Vårdguiden 1177 and a number of organisations and universities have asked for permission to publish and distribute our material, which they would never have done had it not been so well translated. We also note that we’re getting hits from abroad, and that’s a good sign,” says Magdalena Abrahamsson.
”Språkbolaget are professional, accommodating and always listen to the customer's needs. They've helped us translate various research papers. In every single meeting, they've always been responsive to our wishes, accessible and delivered on time.”
”Språkbolaget was a great help when we were looking to translate a lot of information into various languages for new families following childbirth. We’ve enjoyed great contact with Språkbolaget from the very beginning and have had nothing but good experiences.”
”The quality of our deliveries is of the utmost importance to us at Invinn. In Språkbolaget, we’ve found a partner with a professional, pleasant approach and who delivers quality on time. They’re transparent with their schedules and quick to respond to input and comments. Both Invinn and our customers feel equally confident with Språkbolaget as our supplier.”
”Plannja uses Språkbolaget for translations of product brochures and installation instructions for subsidiaries in Poland, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Plannja's customers value quality, reliable delivery and clear communication. For us at Plannja, it is therefore important that this permeates our entire business at all levels, including with suppliers. Språkbolaget is a supplier that meets our expectations extremely well. They provide us with a prompt response and we can always feel confident that we will receive information and delivery on time.”
“Many companies, and especially the biggest, naturally recruit worldwide. We’ve reached 300,000 reference checks per year, which means the texts in the app must be translated into many languages, and for that we’ve enlisted the help of Språkbolaget,”
“We’re putting a huge responsibility on Språkbolaget, and we really have very little opportunity to check all of the translations. However, we’re fully confident that the texts will be as clear as required
Request a quotation
Our quotations are free of charge and non-binding
Fill in your details, tell us what you need translated, and we'll get back to you to arrange a personal consultation.
-
Tailored prices -
Personal project manager
-
Qualified professional translators
-
We work exclusively with businesses
-
Short delivery times
-
Strict confidentiality
Request for quotation
Or email us at: info@sprakbolaget.se
Request a quotation
Our quotations are free of charge and non-binding
Fill in your details, tell us what you need translated, and we'll get back to you to arrange a personal consultation.
-
Tailored prices
-
Personal project manager
-
Qualified professional translators
-
We work exclusively with businesses
-
Short delivery times
-
Strict confidentiality
Request for quotation
Or email us at: info@sprakbolaget.se
FAQs
Let's get started
Who is your target audience?
Språkbolaget caters to businesses, authorities and organisations that want a reliable language partner, a smooth working process and personal dialogue. We are a full-service translation agency, which means we can help you with all your translation needs – from annual reports and sales brochures to video subtitling.
How is my personal data processed?
Making sure your personal data is processed safely and securely has always been important to us.
We have updated our privacy policy to clarify how we protect your personal data in accordance with the EU's new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).If you wish to read our privacy policy, you can find it here.
What can I expect from you?
Quality assurance, strong project management, an international network and professionalism form the foundation of what we deliver to our clients. It’s what every client, large or small, can expect from Språkbolaget. But we actually deliver so much more – peace of mind, a personal relationship and a passion for making sure our clients are satisfied with our work and will want to use us again. The personal dimension in our collaborations builds trust, and projects are always performed best by people who trust each other.
How do I go about hiring you?
Send your text to us and we'll send you a quotation. You can contact any of our project managers directly by email or phone or submit a request for quotation..
Would you like to discuss a collaboration now or later? Contact one of our project managers directly.
Language and services
What languages do you translate into?
We translate to and from most languages. Here are some languages we frequently translate into:
Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Czech, Danish, Dari, Dutch, English, Estonian, Farsi, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Icelandic, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Somali, Sorani, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. If you cannot find your language in the list above, feel free to ask us.
Which industries do you specialise in?
Språkbolaget translates and copyedits advertising and marketing texts across all industries. These include customer and internal magazines; financial reports; legal, technical and medical texts; IT‑related, HR‑related and management texts; and public information. We also provide Easy Swedish, Easy English and audiovisual translation services. We work exclusively with businesses.
Which services do you not offer?
We work exclusively with businesses. We refer to private individuals to the SFÖ website. We do not provide interpreter services.
Can I get my translation in the same layout?
Yes, if you send us a text in InDesign or other formats, we return the translation in the same layout. We also offer additional DTP services if you need print-ready files back. Please specify this when ordering or submitting a request for quotation.
Do you do express jobs?
Yes, absolutely. We'll do everything we can to make sure you get the material back when you need it. Contact us here. Let us know when you need your translation and we'll get back to you without delay.
Pricing and delivery
How much will your translation cost?
The price of your translation is based on a combination of criteria, such as the text’s subject matter and level of difficulty; the text volume; the target and source languages; and the deadline.
Translation prices are very much about supply and demand. Some languages have fewer available translators within specific subject categories, and the prices are thus higher than for languages and subjects where there are more translators to choose from. Some languages are more labour-intensive than others, and a text may need further adaptation to the cultures of the different target countries. Upload your file for a quotation. If the file is large, we recommend you use WeTransfer.
Do you offer contract prices and volume discounts?
Yes, of course. If you have regular translation needs with large volumes, we'll be happy to offer you a contract price. Contact one of our project managers here.
Do you charge extra for express delivery?
We charge an additional 10–100 % for express delivery. Express delivery costs more because the translator has to put other assignments on hold and may have to work overtime to complete yours. In most cases, the work will be completed quickly even without express delivery, so the surcharge may not be necessary. Upload your file with the proposed delivery date for a quotation. If its a large file, we recommend you use Wetransfer.
How quickly can I get my translation?
Delivery times depend primarily on the availability of a suitable translator and the volume of text. A good rule of thumb is to assume a translator has the capacity to translate around 2,000 words per day. On top of this come project management, language checking and file handling. When you receive a quotation from us, we also provide a delivery date. If you have a specific deadline to meet, please state this in your request for quotation and we’ll take it into account. If you’re in a particular hurry, we offer an express service where you can get your text translated extra quickly. Request a quotation here.
Translation process and quality
What does your working process involve?
Our standard work process involves a native-speaking translator with specialist expertise in the relevant field who translates and reviews their own text. After that, a different translator steps in to review the text again. As a regular client, you have the opportunity to use the same translator and the same project manager every time. We can set up specially tailored work processes and workflows for different types of projects. Contact us if you'd like to discuss your project with one of our project managers. We've spent many years honing our work process. Read some of our client case studies here.
Who translates my text?
A qualified native translator specialising in the relevant subject area translates the text, and a second qualified translator reviews it, in accordance with our standard workflow.
What qualifications do Språkbolaget's translators possess?
To be approved as a translator with us, candidates must be trained as translators, translate into their native languages, keep abreast of developments in their languages, have documented experience and good references. They must also pass Språkbolaget’s own tests. We monitor our translators closely and have developed a quality control system to help us choose the right translator for a particular text
How do you guarantee quality?
Språkbolaget offers a quality guarantee for all translations. We only use translators who meet our quality standards, and we have a documented workflow that involves an additional review of all texts. However, should you not be satisfied with our work, we will revise the translation free of charge according to all applicable notes until it meets your requirements.
How do you guarantee confidentiality?
All our employees, translators and partners have entered into non-disclosure agreements. Should you require an additional confidentiality agreement, we are more than happy to sign one.
Do you offer certified translations?
Yes, many of our translators are authorised by the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency. Contact one of our project managers here to check availability.
What file formats can you accept?
We work in a wide variety of programs and formats such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and many more. Ask us here!
Other
How do I pay?
In the case of new clients, we carry out a credit check before beginning a translation project. Our standard terms of payment are 30 days, and we prefer to send invoices by email, but if you would rather receive your invoice by post, that's perfectly OK. Large projects are invoiced in instalments.
Where can I find your terms and conditions?
You can find our terms and conditions here.
How do I join Språkbolaget's team of translators?
To join our international team of translators, you must have a degree in translation or the equivalent for the languages you translate from, and translate into your native language. You must also have at least two years' experience of professional translation, and you must work as a freelance translator through your own business. You must also have good, documented knowledge of the subjects you translate. Send your CV to info(@)sprakbolaget.se.
We receive a great number of applications, so we do not have time to reply to all of them. However, we save all serious applications and will get in touch if the need arises.