EU public procurement reform must simplify rules and put people, innovation, and sustainability first, regions and cities demand

Public procurement represents around 14% of the European Union's GDP, with nearly 45% managed by local and regional authorities. Yet persistent burdens stemming from complex EU rules and administrative constraints prevent many municipalities and regions from using public spending to its full strategic potential. Ahead of the European Commission's 2026 revision proposal, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) urged the Commission to simplify the framework, strengthen its territorial dimension and turn procurement into a lever for quality jobs, sustainability and European resilience.

Simplification, timely delivery and quality

With a clear call to simplify complex procurement legislation and align public spending with the EU's strategic objectives, members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an opinion led by Roberto Gualtieri (IT/PES), Mayor of Rome, during the plenary session on 4 March. CoR members underlined the need for a more result-oriented framework that enhances value-based procurement that supports innovation, sustainability and competitiveness. To unlock the full potential of public procurement as a strategic tool, they stressed the need to address increasing legal complexity and administrative burdens and to consolidate and simplify the core procurement principles. For instance, the introduction of the 'principle of result' would orient public spending towards timely delivery, quality and value for money, while reducing litigation risks. It would help administrations to focus on substance rather than formalities, while fully preserving transparency, equal treatment and proportionality.

Strategic purchasing power for European resilience

In light of geopolitical and economic developments since 2014, local and regional leaders stressed that public procurement must strategically support resilience and innovation, as well as boost key sectors such as energy, defence and clean technologies. The CoR supports, in clearly defined strategic sectors, a 'Made in Europe' preference that strengthens European added value while still respecting EU competition and international trade rules and avoiding additional verification burdens on local authorities. In the opinion, they also urge stronger rules and transparency for subcontracting and supply chains, ensuring that labour and sustainability standards are respected at every step. They also stressed the key role of developing buyers' skills through professionalisation strategies.

Digitalisation that simplifies - not complicates - access

CoR members further stressed that heavy documentation requirements and complex eligibility criteria continue to discourage SMEs, start-ups and social economy organisations from participating in public tenders. They call for proportionate documentation requirements, greater flexibility for small contracts and clearer, harmonised rules and reliance on the capacity of other entities.

They recognised that digitalisation can make procurement simpler, faster, more efficient and more transparent. However, they warned against fragmented and overly rigid digital requirements that could create new burdens, especially for smaller authorities and SMEs. Therefore, support for the development of digital infrastructure that makes it easier to tender, and more interoperable datasets based on common standards, as well as the development of an EU-wide, harmonised procurement data infrastructure will be essential to ensure greater transparency, real-time monitoring, and efficient performance evaluation.

Quote

Rapporteur Roberto Gualtieri (IT/PES), Mayor of Rome: "There cannot be an EU procurement reform without listening to cities and regions - Europe's main public buyers. After years of overlapping rules, Europe has a chance to change course with simpler rules, so that every euro spent can become high-quality delivery for our citizens. If Europe wants to deliver, it must empower local authorities to buy faster and fairer."

Background

• Video and photos of the debate

• The European Commission is currently evaluating the Public Procurement Directives and has announced it will publish a proposal to reform them in 2026. The initiative aims to modernise and simplify procurement rules, aligning them with the EU's strategic priorities, including strategic autonomy and sustainability.

Contact

Theresa Sostmann Tel: +32475999415 [email protected]