The package of reforms was approved by the European Parliament last month, after MEPs had informally agreed on the wording of the new laws with EU Ministers. Now the EU Ministers have given their formal backing to the reforms.
The Directives have to be implemented into national law within two years following the expiry of the first 20 days following their publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
One aspect of the changes contained in the new Public Procurement Directive allows contracting authorities to be able to consider social aspects amongst other criteria for determining which bid for a contract they put out to tender is the most economically advantageous to accept.
In addition, public bodies will be able to limit competition for specific health, social and cultural contracts to mutuals and social enterprises where those organisations satisfy certain conditions. The reforms also set new mandatory grounds for excluding suppliers from competitions for contracts.
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