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Belgium : Commission further simplifies public procurement across the EU
Publish Date : 07-Jan-2016
The new European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) adopted today by the European Commission reduces considerably the administrative burden for companies, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who want to have a fair chance at winning a public contract.
The ESPD will replace the current system which may differ drastically among Member States. While some countries have already introduced some form of a self-declaration of suitability, others require all interested parties to provide full documentary evidence of their suitability, financial status and abilities. The ESPD will allow all businesses to electronically self-declare that they meet the necessary regulatory criteria or commercial capability requirements, and only the winning company will need to submit all the documentation proving that it qualifies for the contract.
To facilitate its use, a free, web-based system is being developed for Member States and businesses. As Member States can postpone the obligation to exclusively use electronic means of communication until 18 October 2018, the ESPD may be printed, filled in manually, scanned and sent electronically until then. El bieta Bie kowska, Commissioner responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs said: "By reducing the volume of documents needed, the European Single Procurement Document will make it easier for companies to take part in public award procedures.
Public administrations will benefit from a wider range of offers ensuring better quality and value for money." Todays simplification of the tender procedure is one of the major elements of public procurement reform which will enter into force on 18 April 2016.
