The European Commission has postponed proposals to revise EU public procurement rules from July 1 to July 22, according to the draft agenda dated June 21, published by Contexte.
This revision is expected to simplify and harmonize dozens of laws governing government contracts. It is also planned to introduce a European form of preferences for tenders, giving preference to domestic suppliers due to non-price award criteria.
The delay may reflect the complexity of the proposal, which is being distributed by legislation under the supervision of several different departments of the commission, which seek to shape it.
Another painful issue is the exact scope of European preferences; proponents of free trade oppose any overly strict definition of what it means to be "made in Europe."
One of the sources in the Commission told Contexte that the European provisions on preferences in the framework of the procurement reform may eventually become flexible and optional.
Some MEPs have called for the inclusion of environmental criteria in the procurement rules, while several state-owned energy companies have lobbied for an exception.
The Commission's proposals on the ETS carbon market, electrification and electricity grid tariffs remain in force until July 15, the document says.
Contexte.com
