EU POLICY  & LEGISLATION

EU POLICY FOR SUSTAINABLE AND CIRCULAR PROCUREMENT

The Commission manages a number of key activities to facilitate green, socially reponsible and circular procurement implementation in the EU, including:

  • GPP criteria on a number of key product/service sectors
  • Buying Green Handbook - a guide on implementing GPP within the EU Procurement Directives
  • A GPP website, containing a information, advice and links 
  • The GPP News Alert - a monthly newsletter, containing good practice examples and latest news
  • The Buying Social Guide - taking into account social responsibility in procurement processes
  • The roadmap "Closing the loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy" outlining the key role public procurement has in the uptake of circular economy by emphasising circular economy aspects in new or revised criteria, supporting higher uptake of GPP, and leading by example on its procurement and in EU funding.
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SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT UNDER THE PROCUREMENT DIRECTIVES

The EU legal framework for public procurement is set by the public procurement directives. New directives were adopted in January 2014 and have now been transposed into national law in all EU members states. The Directives apply above certain value thresholds, depending on the type of procurement (see DG Growth website). However, all procurement, regardless of value must comply with the basic EU Treaty principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination, transparency and proportionality. The EU also adheres to World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement on fair international competition for public contracts, known as the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).


Directive 2014/24/EU - which replaces the 'Classic' Procurement Directive 2004/18/EC
Directive 2014/25/EU - which replaces the 'Utilities' Procurement Directive 2004/17/EC
Directive 2014/23/EU - on the award of concession contracts

 

The public procurement directives provide clear opportunities for including environmental and social considerations within all stages of the procurement process. The 2014 Procurement Directives have clarified and, to a certain extent, expanded the opportunities for sustainable procurement:


KEY RESOURCES

Green, Social and Circular Procurement is also referenced as a powerful tool in achieving key policy aims in a range of European policy documents. A number of Directives and Regulations include obligations related to for instance GPP.


EC GPP WEBSITE

European Commission's central information point on GPP, including news, policy, tools and more

Go to the website

BUYING GREEN

Comprehensive guidance on the implementation of GPP under the EU Procurement Directives

Download the document

EC GPP CRITERIA

GPP Criteria for over 20 product/service sectors, to be inserted directly into tender documents

Go to the website