The proposal aims to simplify procurement procedures, reduce administrative barriers and give greater importance to quality, sustainability and security. With public procurement accounting for approximately 15% of EU GDP, the reform will affect economic operators across a wide range of sectors.
The existing procurement framework
EU procurement is principally governed by three main Directives:
- Directive 2014/24/EU: public contracts for works, goods and services
- Directive 2014/25/EU: procurement in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors
- Directive 2014/23/EU: concession contracts
These Directives are implemented through national legislation. The proposal would therefore repeal three current Directives including scattered procurement provisions in over fifty other EU acts, and consolidate them into a single Regulation applied directly in every Member State.