Translation for the Swedish EPA
Novoterm has worked with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency for many years as one of the agency’s selected language service providers. Our assignment includes ongoing translation into English of the agency’s official materials in the area of the environment and climate.
Long-term cooperation with the Swedish EPA
In January 2020 Novoterm became one of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s selected providers following an extensive procurement process in autumn 2019. This partnership had continued ever since and was extended following a new procurement round at the beginning of 2024.
Through this assignment the agency has entrusted us with translating various types of materials – often around themes of international cooperation, EU legislation and official communication – from Swedish into English. Examples include:
- The bilateral cooperation fund – a report for the Government Offices of Sweden: In this report the Swedish EPA described cooperation initiatives in the area of the environment and climate that were funded by a 2019 allocation for international environmental cooperation (1:13).
- Texts on Agenda 2030 for the Swedish EPA website: Read more about Agenda 2030 here.
- Department descriptions: Various units and departments within the Swedish EPA were each assigned a fresh focus and new areas of work. The new department names and descriptions therefore needed to be translated into English.
- Texts on new EU regulations for online publication.
About the Swedish EPA
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is a public agency responsible for environmental issues at the national level. The agency’s work spans everything from the climate and biodiversity to international cooperation and EU-related legislation.
Client
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
Sector
Public agency | Environment and sustainability
Service
Translation
Conditions and challenges
Translating for public agencies requires a high level of precision, consistency and terminology accuracy. The texts need to work in both national and international contexts – and are often associated with potential legal or political implications.
Variety of texts and subjects
The materials for translation vary from reports to website content and internal descriptions. This requires flexibility and the ability to quickly become familiar with new niche areas.
Consistent terminology required
Texts about the environment, climate and EU regulations often contain established terms and names that must be used consistently and correctly.
Target groups in international contexts
The translations are often aimed at an international audience, which means that clarity, a neutral tone and accurate terminology are all essential.
How we approach this assignment
The assignment involves ongoing cooperation where we combine careful translation with continual dialogue and quality assurance in a multi-step process. We always ask our contact at the Swedish EPA for clarification if anything in the source text is unclear. We also ensure that the translations are reviewed by an additional professional linguist before delivery.
As an extra service and bonus, when we deliver the translation we usually include our proofread version of the Swedish source text which is generated during the course of the assignment. Well-received added value!
Ongoing dialogue about the source material
Throughout the assignment we ask our Swedish EPA contact questions as they arise. This is to address anything that is unclear or could be misinterpreted, to ensure that every sentence and paragraph is clear and correct – in both the source and target text.
Text review by an additional linguist
All translations are quality-assured by an additional linguist to verify linguistic quality and terminology consistency.
Bonus for the client
To optimise the quality of the translation, we identify and address anything that is unclear, ambiguous or inaccurate in the Swedish text. This results in a proofread source text which we are happy to share with the client as a bonus.
The end result
Through our structured process and by working closely with our client, we deliver translations that meet the Swedish EPA’s high standards for quality, clarity and terminology precision.
Stable and long-term partnership
We have worked with the Swedish EPA across multiple procurement periods, which is evidence of the high level of trust placed in us and our effective work process.
Delivering excellence every time
All translations maintain the same consistent and high quality, meeting the agency’s requirements and ready for international communication.
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