Marketing a product: which language for the documentation

[Stuart Rogers]

mathieu jacquet wrote:
> Hi to all,
> 
> here is a question from a client: he's just developed a new GPS-based
> product in France, has a "getting started" and "user manual" written
> (I'm currently working on it) in French and would like to know if he
> is supposed to have them translated...
> 
> I answered "yes, you have to have them translated into the languages
> of countries where you want the product marketted". But I am not 100%
> sure of the answer.
> 
> The other question is: does the client have to have both manuals
> translated?
> 
> Do you have any idea of official (governmental) documents about this
> kind of issue (Europe and/or US)?


Mathieu,

A GPS receiver would probably fall under the Radio Equipment & 
Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) category of CE-marking 
regulations:
A "radio equipment" means a product, or relevant component thereof, 
capable of communication by means of the emission and/or reception of 
radio waves utilising the spectrum allocated to terrestrial/space 
radiocommunication.

If that's correct, then to sell the unit in the EU, your client must 
conform to a LOT of regulations, which include translating the 
documentation into local languages.  The client may want to engage a 
consultant to ensure compliance with CE marking.

You can find more information by searching "CE marking" or slogging 
through http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm

HTH,

-- 
Stuart Rogers
Technical Communicator
Phoenix Geophysics Limited
Toronto, ON, Canada
+1 (416) 491-7340 x 325

srogers phoenix-geophysics com

"A man's screech should exceed his rasp, or what's a violin for?"

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