The European Commission has unveiled a draft regulation that aims to modernise public procurement across the bloc, merging three 2014 directives into a single framework. The proposal requires contracting authorities to assess not only price but also quality factors such as environmental impact, social considerations, innovation, security and resilience.
Under the new rules, a Best Price‑Quality Ratio (BPQR) would become the default award method, mandating a minimum 30% weight for quality criteria – rising to at least 50% for labour‑intensive contracts. The change targets the EU’s €2.5 trillion annual procurement market, which currently relies heavily on price‑only awards, and seeks to better align spending with the Union’s climate, social and innovation objectives.
Source: ESG Today
