The Belgian Quality Translation Association (BQTA) and the Belgian Chamber of Translators and Interpreters (CBTI) have joined forces to produce a guide for public authorities that write and publish calls for tender in this industry. The Vade Mecum for Authors of Tender Specifications is the result of unprecedented collaboration between two branches of the same sector which have sometimes been seen as rivals, but which both understand that the entire profession can gain from such a partnership. To that end, the BQTA and CBTI decided to produce this guide to help authorities write their calls for tender by listing the factors that contribute to a high-quality translation. In it, they detail the different types of services available to the contracting authority, stipulate those essential items that must feature in the specifications and clearly and concisely explain the relevant quality standards for the translation market. To download the Vade-mecum on translation services, click on this link. To download the Vade-mecum for Conference Interpreting Services , click on this link. Appendices are also available below. The Vademecum is accompanied by annexes, which may be updated regularly, and which include the following documents Introduction – Updated: October 2021 (only available in French and Dutch) Sample Terms of Reference – Updated: October 2021 (only available in French and Dutch) Test Translations & Methodology Working Group – Updated: October 2021 Library – Updated: October 2021 Your comments are welcome and can be sent to info@bqta.be

With 1404 responses, it beat its previous record from 2018. The analysis results are expected by end March and will be presented at the EUATC T-Update conference in Tallinn (see under Events) as well as other national and international events.

With 1285 responses, this was the most successful edition of the survey by far. The high number of reactions from individual language workers will allow the organisers to get a better insight in the concerns of this important segment of the translation industry.

Rudy Tirry, president of BQTA, participated in a panel with representatives of the Dutch association of translation companies and the Dutch and Belgian associations of individual translators and interpreters to discuss the possibilities of working towards a similar agreement in Belgium and The Netherlands.