GPP Webinar – Social and environmental considerations and the link with the subject matter

The fourth European Commission’s Green Public Procurement (GPP) Helpdesk webinar of 2023 addressed the use of social and environmental considerations in procurement procedures and their link with the subject matter. All criteria applied in tenders must be linked with the subject matter. Criteria must be specific to the goods, services or works which are being purchased and cannot concern general corporate policies or practices of tenderers. This is a requirement that was set by the European Court of Justice and was then enshrined in Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement. It applies to the use of criteria at different stages of procurement procedures: selection criteria, technical specifications, award criteria, contract performance conditions, and labels.

The webinar featured an expert discussion by Professor Roberto Caranta on the importance of linking social and environmental criteria specifically to procurement items. It also showcased practical examples from The Netherlands and Copenhagen, Denmark, highlighting the integration of sustainability in procurement processes. The focus was on implementing mandatory requirements like equal pay and labor clauses in contracts.

All presentations, the recording and additional material from the webinar are available below.

AGENDA

• Welcome and introduction from the EU GPP Helpdesk, European Commission.
• Social and environmental considerations and the link with the subject matter: how to avoid common mistakes, prof. Roberto Caranta, full professor with the Law Department of the University of Turin (Italy) and Coordinator of Sustainability and Procurement in International, European, and National Systems – SAPIENS Horizon 2020 project.
• Wolter van der Vlist, Procurement Policy & Strategy Team, Judicial Institutions Department, Ministry of Justice and Security (NL).
• Karsten Skjellerup, CSR Consultant, Socially responsible procurement team, City of Copenhagen (DK).