Sweden positive to electronic procurement
Sweden takes a positive position on the proposal that the entire EU switch to electronic procurement (e-procurement) from 2016.
'I welcome the ambition to switch to e-procurement no later than 2016,' said Minister for Public Administration and Housing Stefan Attefall, participating in the meeting of the Competitiveness Council in Brussels on Wednesday 30 May.
At the meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 30 May, the Member States discussed the Commission's proposal for a new directive on public procurement.
The discussion concerned two topics: the proposal to switch completely to electronic communications in two years time, and rules on oversight, guidance and reporting obligations.
The idea is for the proposal to be adopted before the end of the year.
'I welcome the ambition to switch to e-procurement no later than 2016. This is an outstanding way to streamline the process and make procurement procedures more secure and less expensive while guaranteeing transparency and equal treatment. It is important that the solutions also make procurement procedures easier for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular,' says Minister for Public Administration and Housing Stefan Attefall.
Replaces the Classical Directive and the Utilities Directive
It was on 20 December 2011 that the Commission presented its proposal for a new public procurement directive. The new directive will replace the 'Classical Directive' and the 'Utilities Directive'. In addition, the proposal includes a new proposal for a directive on the award of concession contracts. However, in the Council Working Group negotiations the focus has been on the Classical Directive.
At the Competitiveness Council on 30 May, the Presidency presented a status report describing the progress of the work. In connection with the presentation the Council discussed electronic communications and rules on oversight, guidance and reporting obligations.
