UNIFE statement on the evaluation of EU public procurement directives

Public procurement plays a crucial role in Europe’s economy, accounting for around 14% of the EU’s GDP, and it is particularly central to the rail sector where most operators are public entities. Against this background, UNIFE released a statement contributing to the European Commission’s evaluation of the 2014 public procurement directives. The statement recognises that the directives have established a solid framework for public tenders but identifies key areas for improvement. In particular, UNIFE calls for a more coherent and flexible framework that supports fair competition, reduces administrative burden and ensures greater balance in contractual requirements. The paper also stresses the importance of strengthening the use of the “Most Economically Advantageous Tender” principle, and introducing measures to promote European preference and reciprocity in market access.