(19 May 2010) EPSU welcomes the report adopted by the European Parliament on 18 May on “new developments in public procurement”, rapporteur Heide Rühle MEP. EPSU had suggested a number of amendments to the report, emphasizing that the legal changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty – in particular the notion of a ‘social market economy’, a social clause, and a Protocol of services of general interest – provide a new framework for public procurement in which social concerns should play a more prominent role.
As well as recognising this new context the report also:
- Calls on the European Commission to take a more positive approach to the integration of social and fair trade criteria into public procurement contracts and to provide practical help to public authorities to this effect
- An expectation that lessens will be learnt from failing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and that proper evaluation will take place on the financial risks involved with the creation of PPPs - Caution as regards a legislative initiative on service concessions
- Support for inter-municipal cooperation
- References to the importance of transparency, public scrutiny and good governance in public procurement; and for participation by trade unions / social partners in Commission advisory bodies on procurement
The report also calls on the Commission to asses fully the procurement directives against the issues mentioned in the report.
Links
- EPSU briefing note on public procurement
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