{"id":2419,"date":"2026-04-20T19:58:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T01:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tildetraducciones.com\/?p=2419"},"modified":"2026-04-20T20:02:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T02:02:25","slug":"translation-of-health-records-in-costa-rica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tildetraducciones.com\/en\/translation-of-health-records-in-costa-rica\/","title":{"rendered":"Translation of health records in Costa Rica"},"content":{"rendered":"

When language delays a regulatory approval<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

A company has spent months preparing its submission, technical documentation, certifications, validations, everything is ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dossier is submitted, and the process stalls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not because of a technical issue.<\/span>
\n<\/span> Not because the product fails to comply.<\/span>
\n<\/span> But because of something often underestimated: the language of the dossier.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Costa Rica, the Ministry of Health has made it clear: all documents submitted in regulatory procedures must be in Spanish or accompanied by the appropriate translation.<\/span><\/p>\n

What may seem like an administrative detail can quickly become a critical compliance factor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not all translations are the same<\/b><\/h2>\n

One of the most common mistakes in regulatory submissions is assuming that any translation will do.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regulations clearly distinguish between:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Official translations<\/b>, required for legal or official documents such as certificates, powers of attorney, or contracts<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Simple translations<\/b>, applicable to technical or informational materials such as manuals, studies, or specifications<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    This distinction matters.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Using the wrong type of translation can lead to delays, requests for correction, or even rejection of the submission.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The real challenge: understanding the dossier<\/b><\/h2>\n

    The challenge is not just translating documents, it is understanding:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • The type of document being submitted<\/span><\/li>\n
    • What the regulation requires in each specific case<\/span><\/li>\n
    • How to ensure the entire dossier is coherent and valid in Spanish<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      In many cases, even technical documents must be available in Spanish when they support regulatory evaluation.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This makes translation a technical decision, not an operational one.<\/span><\/p>\n

      One approach does not fit all industries<\/b><\/h2>\n

      The recent Ministry of Health communication (MS-DRPIRS-0960-2026) highlights a key reality: translation requirements are not uniform.<\/span><\/p>\n

      They vary depending on the product category:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Medical devices<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Pharmaceuticals<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Cosmetics<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Food products<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Chemical products<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Each category has specific rules regarding which documents require official or simple translation.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Assuming a single approach applies across all cases is one of the most common risks for companies managing multi-category registrations.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Common mistakes that can delay your submission<\/b><\/h2>\n

        Based on our experience in regulated environments, these are some of the most frequent issues:<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Submitting official documents without an official translation<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Providing dossiers partially in English<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Failing to translate elements such as apostilles, seals, or certifications<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Using simple translation where legal validity is required<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          These issues are not always obvious at the beginning, but they directly impact timelines, costs, and operational continuity.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Translation as part of compliance<\/b><\/h2>\n

          In regulated environments, translation is not an additional step, it is part of compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

          A well-prepared dossier depends not only on its technical content, but on its ability to be properly assessed by the competent authority.<\/span><\/p>\n

          And that is only possible when language is no longer a barrier.<\/span><\/p>\n

          A decision that impacts time, cost, and risk<\/b><\/h2>\n

          Properly managing the translation of a regulatory dossier allows you to:<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Reduce approval timelines<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Avoid rework<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Minimize regulatory risk<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Ensure document consistency<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            In environments where every day counts, these factors make a real difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Final thought<\/b><\/h2>\n

            Language is not a detail.<\/span><\/p>\n

            It is part of the system that validates your product.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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