Starting from the assumption that interpreting is a norm-governed type of communication and that within this communicative "pas de trois" or "situated activity" (Wadensjo) which is "socially bounded" (Inghilleri), the interpreter's presence appears as a defining feature, this paper tries to identify preliminary and operational norms intervening in the institutional, interpersonal and professional projection of this activity in connection with the integration of foreign populations in need of interpreting services in Spain. In order to identify these norms, I will resort to contexts as reflected by status, regulations and practice in health care in the province of Alicante in the case of Romanian immigrants. (Contains 4 figures and 3 notes.)