34. Green public procurement and the circular economy
The inclusion of green clauses in public procurement contracts is gradually becoming an obligation in certain sectors in the European Union. For example, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which will transform the product market for both public and private buyers, includes specific provisions on the use of “Green Public Procurement” (GPP). Until quite recently, European public procurement law has been much more focused on “how to buy” than on “what to buy”. This is changing.
This report highlights the role of GPP in the transition to a circular economy through an analysis of the European regulatory framework in terms of both hard (e.g. Batteries Regulation, etc.) and soft law (working documents from the Commission). Relevant European legislation that is still in the adoption phase (e.g. Construction Products Regulation, etc.) is also considered. An overview of useful model clauses for implementing GPP shows how these clauses can contribute to promoting the circular economy in public procurement. Therefore, in this report, they have been classified according to the 9Rs strategies.
CE Center co-authors:
.png)
