In a bid to boost trust and competition in public procurement, Sweden’s Minister for Public Administration, Erik Slottner, has presented the country’s preliminary positions to the European Commission on reviewing the EU public procurement directives. The move comes at a time when the European Commission is set to propose a revised legal framework by the end of 2026.
Public procurement plays a vital role in Sweden, with an annual turnover of over SEK 900 billion – roughly one-sixth of the country’s GDP. Yet, despite this significant amount, just over half of the 17,000 procurements announced annually are covered by the existing EU directives. The current framework is seen as unnecessarily complicated, damaging trust in public procurement and making it less attractive for businesses to participate.
“More than 70,000 tenders are submitted every year, showing a high level of interest, but at the same time, in 18 per cent of these procurements, only one tender is received,” Minister Slottner pointed out. “A guiding principle for a new regulatory framework should be to make it easier for authorities to get the best value for their money. This would lead to more efficient use of tax money and increased benefit for citizens.”
To achieve this, Sweden is advocating for a simplified EU-level regulatory framework that decreases in scope and detail. The new framework should focus on business-oriented public procurement, reducing the number of rules-based provisions. However, it must also ensure fair competition, combat corruption, exclude unscrupulous companies, and safeguard national security and supply.
Increased flexibility is also needed to address technical errors that currently lead to tender exclusion due to minor issues. This would prevent devastating competition in both the short and long term. The Swedish government believes that introducing a general possibility for negotiation would improve the prospects of procurement resulting in contracts that benefit both parties, providing access to the best solutions for the public sector.
The European Commission’s review of the EU public procurement directives is an opportunity for Sweden to push for meaningful changes. By simplifying the regulatory framework, Sweden aims to make public procurement more attractive and efficient, ultimately benefiting citizens and businesses alike. As the revised legal framework takes shape, it remains to be seen whether Sweden’s efforts will translate into significant reforms.
By promoting a more streamlined approach to public procurement, Sweden is taking a proactive stance in addressing some of the sector’s most pressing challenges.
The proposed changes have the potential to boost trust and competition in public procurement, leading to better value for taxpayers and increased access to innovative solutions for the public sector.