TS ISO 29383

TS ISO 29383 is a standard that helps organizations treat terminology work as a strategic governance function rather than an ad hoc language activity. It provides a framework for developing and implementing policy or strategy on terminology planning and terminology management for governments, public administrations, non-profit bodies and commercial organizations.

What terminology policy covers

Terminology policy addresses how an organization selects terms, maintains consistent usage, names new concepts and preserves conceptual consistency in internal and external communication. This matters especially in technical, legal, administrative and multilingual environments, where different labels for the same concept can lead to misunderstanding, inconsistent translation and fragmented information management. In general technical terms, terminology management is the systematic identification and maintenance of concepts, terms and their relationships.

The standard’s policy-oriented approach

The core value of this standard is that terminology policy is not treated as a mere glossary-building exercise, but as part of the institutional strategic framework. The text defines key concepts and describes situations and environments in which different kinds of terminology policies may be needed. It therefore guides organizations toward a policy model that fits their own purpose, structure and communication needs rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Its practical importance lies in connecting terminology decisions with governance, quality, knowledge sharing and organizational consistency. For this reason, the standard serves as a conceptual framework and a practical methodology for decision-makers involved in terminology work, while still requiring each organization to adapt the approach to its own context.

• Links terminology planning and terminology management at the institutional level.
• Identifies policy needs that vary across different organizational environments.
• Places terminology policy within a broader strategic framework.
• Provides a common basis for consistent management of concepts and terms.