NATO quality assurance requirements are of practical importance to Bulgarian companies that manufacture defence-related products or plan to become part of defence industry supply chains.
One example is funding procedure BG16RFPR001-6.001, “Strengthening Industrial Capacity in the Field of Defence Capabilities”, under the Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises Programme 2021–2027. The project evaluation criteria include conformity with NATO standards, including AQAP-2110.

AQAP-2110 in the Context of Defence Industry Investment
Launched by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth in January 2026, the procedure aims to strengthen the industrial capacity of companies manufacturing defence-related products and dual-use items. The procedure supports investments in machinery, facilities, equipment, software and other eligible assets and activities.
On 8 October 2026, the Managing Authority announced an increase in the procedure's budget, allowing funding to be provided to another 35 companies whose projects had successfully passed the evaluation process.
The evaluation criteria also include “Conformity with NATO Standards”, which awards 5 points to projects involving investments that ensure conformity with one or more of the NATO standards specified in the criterion or with other applicable standards, depending on the nature of the project and the products manufactured.
In its official clarifications of 23 January 2026, the Managing Authority stated that having already implemented AQAP-2110 is not, in itself, sufficient to obtain points under this criterion. The project investment must enable conformity with the applicable standards or contribute to meeting the requirements of an already implemented standard. This must be described and justified in the project proposal. The Evaluation Committee makes the final decision on awarding points.
Conformity achieved as a result of the investment is subject to verification at the end of the project and must be maintained throughout the applicable sustainability period.

What Does Conformity with AQAP-2110 Mean?
AQAP-2110 (NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Design, Development and Production) is a NATO publication that specifies quality assurance requirements for the design, development and production of defence-related products.
The standard incorporates the applicable requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and supplements them with specific NATO requirements relating to the performance of defence contracts.
Key areas include contractual risk management, configuration and change management, supplier control, product traceability, management of nonconformities and interaction with the Acquirer.
For organisations that have already implemented a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001, this means they can build on their existing processes and documentation but must assess and fulfil the additional requirements of AQAP-2110.
ISO 9001 certification does not automatically demonstrate conformity with AQAP-2110.

What Should Bulgarian Companies Consider?
Companies planning to fulfil contracts subject to AQAP-2110 need to assess whether their existing processes meet the applicable requirements and identify any additional measures needed.
Preparation may include:

• Reviewing the existing quality management system and applicable contractual requirements.
• Assessing risks associated with production and contract performance.
• Establishing the necessary configuration and change management arrangements.
• Reviewing supplier and subcontractor evaluation and control processes.
• Ensuring product identification, traceability and documented evidence of conformity.
• Conducting an internal audit and implementing the necessary corrective actions.

The specific activities depend on the nature of the products, manufacturing processes, existing management system and requirements of the relevant contracts.

How Can CONSEJO Help?
CONSEJO supports companies in implementing AQAP requirements, including integrating them into existing ISO 9001 quality management systems. Our consulting services include gap analysis, documentation development and adaptation, internal audits and preparation for certification.