Press Release: Public procurement: updated lists of Contracting Authorities give better access to public contracts for businesses

The European Commission updated the lists of Contracting Authorities and utilities that have to follow EU public procurement rules. The lists will give citizens and businesses the opportunity to identify which public authorities in the EU have to submit their public contracts to EU-wide tender procedures. As well as improving accountability and transparency in this area, the updated lists are intended to offer more opportunities for business to participate in public contracts. Total public procurement in the EU – i.e. the purchases of goods, services and public works by governments and public utilities - is estimated at about 17% of the Union’s GDP or €1900 billion in 2006. EU public procurement rules apply to purchases by public authorities and utilities falling above certain thresholds.