Press Release: Public procurement: infringement proceedings against Czech Republic and Germany

The European Commission has sent a formal request to Germany regarding the long-standing practice of German public broadcasting organisations to award works, supply and service contracts without conducting European-wide competitive tendering procedures. The Commission has also sent a formal request to the Czech Republic regarding the award of contracts for forestry services. These formal requests take the form of "reasoned opinions", the second stage of the infringement procedure laid down in Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.