The European Commission has pushed back proposals to overhaul EU public procurement rules from 1 to 22 July, according to a draft agenda dated 21 June and published by Contexte.
The revision is expected to simplify and harmonise dozens of laws governing public contracts. It is also intended to introduce a form of European preference in tenders, favouring domestic suppliers through non-price award criteria.
The delay may reflect the complexity of a proposal which covers legislation overseen by multiple different Commission departments, all of which are seeking to shape it.
Another sensitive issue is the exact scope of European preference; supporters of free trade resist any overly restrictive definition of what it means to be “made in Europe”.
One Commission source told Contexte the European preference provisions in the procurement reform could end up being flexible and non-binding.
Some MEPs have favoured including environmental criteria in procurement rules, while several state-owned energy utilities have lobbied for an exemption.
Commission proposals on the ETS carbon market, electrification and electricity network charges remain set for 15 July, the document said.
