Public procurement: the European perspective

This paper briefly reviews the response of the European Commission to changes in the environment in which public procurement now takes place, compared with that reflected in the existing Community public procurement directives whose basic provisions are now more than ten years old, That status quo is currently challenged by changing views of the role of the State in the economy, increases in cross-border trade brought about by the single market, the information revolution, and new currents of public awareness, expressed in political demands for decentralization, for greater priority for the protection of the environment and for the elimination of corruption. Following recent studies and consultations, the Commission has now presented a balanced strategy for the opening-up of public procurement, which promises: better enforcement of the existing rules; clarification or amendment of the directives in the interest of simplification and adaptation to new ways of carrying out procurement (particularly in the areas of negotiation, framework agreements and concessions and other forms of public-private partnership); and promotion of information and training, with a specific commitment to electronic procurement and a strong emphasis on the promotion of professionalism and best practice. Successful pursuit of these activities will depend on Member States and the major economic and training actors, and not just the Commission.