ISO 20109-2025 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 20109:2025 — Simultaneous interpreting — Equipment — Requirements. This international standard specifies requirements for the equipment used in simultaneous interpreting and for the quality of sound and image transmitted to interpreters and from interpreters to the audience, regardless of the physical relationship between speakers, signers, interpreters and the audience.

Abstract

ISO 20109:2025 defines minimum performance and functional requirements for interpreting equipment and for the audio‑visual quality delivered to and from interpreters. The standard addresses system components, signal quality, and conditions needed to ensure intelligibility and reliable two‑way transmission in conference and similar environments.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: May 2025 (Edition 2, published May 2025).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 91.040.10 (Public buildings / interpreting services and facilities).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2025).
• Number of pages: 25 (ISO electronic edition).

Scope

This document specifies requirements for the equipment needed for simultaneous interpreting and for the quality of sound and image transmitted to interpreters and from interpreters to the audience, irrespective of the place in relation to speakers, signers, the audience and other interpreters. It covers equipment performance, signal quality and characteristics necessary to support professional interpreting in conference and public‑event settings.

Key topics and requirements

• Performance requirements for audio and video signals supplied to interpreters (intelligibility, signal‑to‑noise, latency limits).
• Requirements for interpreter output transmission to the audience (clarity, synchronisation and routing).
• Equipment functional criteria for booths, consoles, headsets, microphones and reception/transmission units.
• Operational considerations for fixed and portable systems, including remote interpreting setups.
• Accessibility and ergonomic aspects for interpreter stations (drawn from prior edition annexes and related guidance).
• Interoperability and references to companion standards for interpretation and AV systems (see Related standards).

Typical use and users

Applied by conference organisers, venue designers and facility managers, AV system integrators, manufacturers of interpreting equipment, professional interpreters, audio technicians and standards bodies. Useful for procurement, design, installation and verification of interpreting systems in conference halls, legislative chambers, courts and hybrid/remote interpreting environments.

Related standards

Companion and related standards commonly referenced with ISO 20109 include ISO 20108 (Interpreter booths and related requirements for interpreting services), and standards covering audio/video transmission and room acoustics such as ISO/IEC and regional EN variants; earlier editions and national adoptions (for example the 2016 edition) provide normative background and annex material on accessibility and booth furniture. ISO/TC 37/SC 5 is the responsible technical committee.

Keywords

simultaneous interpreting, interpreting equipment, conference interpreting, audio quality, video quality, interpreter booth, AV systems, accessibility, ISO 20109, ISO/TC 37/SC 5.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 20109:2025 is an International Standard that specifies requirements for equipment and the audio‑visual quality needed for simultaneous interpreting in conference and related settings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers performance and functional requirements for interpreting equipment (booths, consoles, microphones, headsets, transmitter/receiver units), signal quality criteria (intelligibility, latency, signal‑to‑noise) and operational considerations for both onsite and remote interpreting configurations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Conference organisers, venue and facilities managers, AV integrators, equipment manufacturers, professional interpreters and procurement teams use the standard when specifying, installing or auditing interpreting systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO 20109:2025 (Edition 2) was published in May 2025 and replaces the earlier ISO 20109:2016 edition, which was withdrawn when the 2025 edition was published.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the family of standards addressing interpreting services and AV conditions for interpretation; related documents from ISO and regional standards bodies (for example ISO 20108 and other audiovisual/room acoustics standards) are commonly used alongside ISO 20109.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: simultaneous interpreting, interpreting equipment, audio quality, video transmission, interpreter booth, AV integration, accessibility.