Streamlining public procurement within the EU for more efficient public spending

The Council adopted a set of conclusions centred on how efficient public procurement rules and practices, combined with increased public spending, can accelerate the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and lead to a sustainable and more resilient EU economy.

In these conclusions, the Council calls on all authorities involved, be it European, national or regional, to coordinate closely their actions for achieving the following objectives:

• Enhancing efficiency of public procurement to boost recovery and to tackle future crises,
• Setting the right incentives for innovative and sustainable investment and growth in the EU through public procurement,
• Contributing through public procurement to a more resilient EU economy.

The Council calls in particular on the Commission and the member states to use public procurement as a strategic tool to foster sustainable and innovative growth, while reducing administrative burdens and compliance costs at the same time.

Furthermore, the conclusions focus on the need for a level playing field in public procurement to ensure fair competition for a competitive European economy.

Source : The European Council