Authorities and public bodies to be urged to buy goods and services from Europe, but without binding quotas
European authorities will be encouraged to buy more domestic goods and services when they spend public money under the EU latest effort to counter China’s economic might.
In a further “Buy European” plan, the European Commission published proposals on Wednesday for a sweeping overhaul of EU public procurement rules.
National authorities and public bodies, such as schools and hospitals, will be encouraged to buy goods and services made in Europe but, unlike earlier plans to promote domestically manufactured clean tech, there will be no binding “made in Europe” quotas.
Brussels officials are concerned that many public agencies think existing EU rules oblige them to choose the cheapest bid when spending public money, which can lead to the contract going to a non-European firm.
