Press Release: Modernising European public procurement to support growth and employment

Each year, public authorities spend 18% of GDP on goods, services and works. Given the current budgetary restrictions and economic difficulties in most Member States, public procurement policy must, more than ever, ensure the optimal use of funds in order foster growth and job creation and thereby help to achieve the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy.

The revision of the public procurement Directives announced by the European Commission on the 20 December 2011 is part of an overall programme to thoroughly modernise public tendering in the European Union. This programme also includes a Directive on concessions, which until now have been only partially regulated at European level and present specific features which justify a separate text, while maintaining consistency with the general reform.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 21.12.11: Brussels eases grip on local public services http://www.euractiv.com/innovation-enterprise/brussels-eases-grip-local-public-services-news-509863

European Commission: Memo/11/931: Commission proposals to modernise the European public procurement market - Frequently Asked Questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/931&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

UK: Cabinet Office: Procurement Policy Note: No.11/11 (21.12.11): Legislative proposals for the revised procurement directives and new directive on concessions https://update.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/PPN-11-11-Legislative-Proposals-for-the-Revised-Procurement-Directives_0.pdf

---