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Conformiteitsattest

English translation: equivalence statement

10:19 Nov 15, 2022
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Certificates, Diplomas, Licenses, CVs
Dutch term or phrase: Conformiteitsattest
Hi, I'm looking for the best English translation for the word 'Conformiteitsattest'. The word is used in an official document by the Flemish government which confirms that a foreign degree (in this case a teaching degree) is valid to teach in a similar position in Flanders. Below are some of the sentences used in the document:

In de bijlage vindt u uw conformiteitsattest voor de professionele erkenning van uw Griekse onderwijskwalificatie.
Met dit conformiteitsattest krijgt uw buitenlandse onderwijskwalificatie de waarde van een ‘vereist bekwaamheidsbewijs’. Daarmee kan u in Vlaanderen lesgeven:
- in het secundair onderwijs
- in het volwassenenonderwijs

I have found the term 'certificate of conformity' on Proz, but that seems to refer to vehicles when I research the term online. Would 'certificate of compliance' be better to use? Or is there another term that could be used? Thanks for any help!
Ine Spee
United Kingdom
English translation:equivalence statement
Explanation:
There are many ways to translate this, but one official looking website: https://www.belgium.be/en/education/equivalence_of_diplomas translates this as: ‘equivalence statement’

see also:

"Authenticating your foreign qualifications
In some cases, you may be asked for an equivalence statement to show how your educational qualifications obtained in your home country relate to Belgian qualifications. If you already have a higher education qualification and want to come to Belgium to continue your studies, the university is generally responsible for establishing equivalencies."

(https://www.expatica.com/be/moving/visas/belgium-student-vis... )

+

"Eligibility to Study:
To apply for study in Belgium for an undergraduate level, you need to hold a secondary school certificate that is recognized by the relevant authorities or any equivalence statement for that certificate. There are several authorities to contact for equivalence statements, depending on whether you are referring to attend a university in the French Community, in the German-speaking Community or the Flemish Community"

(https://p2poverseas.com/country-belgium )

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Note added at 1 hr (2022-11-15 12:11:08 GMT)
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Juridisch-Economisch Lexicon also has:

gelijkwaardigheidsverklaring =
(onderw.) attestation of equivalence

conformiteitsattest; gelijkvormigheidsattest; conformiteitscertificaat =
certificate of conformity, conformity certificate

Selected response from:

Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:29
Grading comment
Thank you for your help and for the references!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1equivalence statement
Michael Beijer
Summary of reference entries provided
Fwiw
Kitty Brussaard

Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
conformiteitsattest
equivalence statement


Explanation:
There are many ways to translate this, but one official looking website: https://www.belgium.be/en/education/equivalence_of_diplomas translates this as: ‘equivalence statement’

see also:

"Authenticating your foreign qualifications
In some cases, you may be asked for an equivalence statement to show how your educational qualifications obtained in your home country relate to Belgian qualifications. If you already have a higher education qualification and want to come to Belgium to continue your studies, the university is generally responsible for establishing equivalencies."

(https://www.expatica.com/be/moving/visas/belgium-student-vis... )

+

"Eligibility to Study:
To apply for study in Belgium for an undergraduate level, you need to hold a secondary school certificate that is recognized by the relevant authorities or any equivalence statement for that certificate. There are several authorities to contact for equivalence statements, depending on whether you are referring to attend a university in the French Community, in the German-speaking Community or the Flemish Community"

(https://p2poverseas.com/country-belgium )

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2022-11-15 12:11:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Juridisch-Economisch Lexicon also has:

gelijkwaardigheidsverklaring =
(onderw.) attestation of equivalence

conformiteitsattest; gelijkvormigheidsattest; conformiteitscertificaat =
certificate of conformity, conformity certificate



Example sentence(s):
  • In some cases, you may be asked for an equivalence statement to show how your educational qualifications obtained in your home country relate to Belgian qualifications.
  • To apply for study in Belgium for an undergraduate level, you need to hold a secondary school certificate that is recognized by the relevant authorities or any equivalence statement for that certificate.

    https://www.belgium.be/en/education/equivalence_of_diplomas
Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:29
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you for your help and for the references!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you. I agree, I personally prefer the term 'certificate of equivalence' as well and am tempted to go with this (or 'equivalence certificate'). I do not like the term 'certificate of conformity' as it mostly seems to refer to car manufacturers, and 'equivalence statement' doesn't seem to carry the same weight as a certificate to me.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: As so often, doesn't look like a native Anglo translated that Belgian site/I doubt it the English is intended for Belgians themselves.
18 mins
  -> agree, but sadly, if you use "equivalence statement" it will most likely be understood by the Belgians. I would prefer "certificate of equivalence".
agree  philgoddard
2 hrs
  -> Thanks Phil!
neutral  Marian Venderbos-Verhooren: I don't really understand why they use 'statement' for 'attest'. I think certificate is a much more common translation. I also agree that 'equivalence' is better in this context, so I would definitely prefer 'certificate of equivalence'.
23 hrs
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Reference comments


39 mins peer agreement (net): +2
Reference: Fwiw

Reference information:
Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering betreffende de erkenning van beroepskwalificaties voor gereglementeerde beroepen in het onderwijs in het kader van de Europese Richtlijn 2005/36

6° conformiteitsattest: de administratieve verklaring waarin staat dat aan de aanvrager de toegang wordt verleend tot een gereglementeerd beroep in een door de Vlaamse Gemeenschap gesubsidieerde of gefinancierde onderwijsinstelling, met uitzondering van het hoger onderwijs;
https://data-onderwijs.vlaanderen.be/edulex/document.aspx?do...

Dezelfde term wordt ook met een vergelijkbare betekenis gebruikt in de context van gezondheidszorgberoepen:

Wie in een Europees land een gezondheidszorgberoep wil uitoefenen met een Belgisch diploma, heeft een gelijkwaardigheidsattest of conformiteitsattest nodig. Daarmee toont u aan dat uw opleiding voldoet aan de Europese richtlijnen voor dat beroep.
https://www.zorg-en-gezondheid.be/een-gelijkwaardigheidsatte...

Anyone who wishes to exercise a healthcare profession in a European country with a Belgian diploma, requires an equivalency certificate or a certificate of conformity. With this you demonstrate that your training meets the European guidelines for that profession.
https://www.zorg-en-gezondheid.be/requesting-an-equivalency-...

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Note added at 47 mins (2022-11-15 11:07:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

En zie eventueel ook https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:...

Kitty Brussaard
Netherlands
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch
PRO pts in category: 16
Note to reference poster
Asker: Heel erg bedankt voor de referenties!


Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
agree  writeaway: https://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be/nl/onderwijspersoneel/van-ba...
10 mins
  -> Goede aanvulling!
agree  Michael Beijer
1 hr
  -> Thank you, Michael.
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