Sustainable public contracts: towards valuable award criteria and a responsible public procurement strategy

Public procurement plays a crucial role in the Belgian economy and offers a unique opportunity to promote sustainable practices. Significant progress has been made in the Brussels-Capital Region, Flanders, and Wallonia in the area of sustainable public procurement, with the introduction of evaluation criteria and the implementation of responsible purchasing policies.

These initiatives aim to integrate ecological, social, and ethical criteria, thereby encouraging responsible practices when awarding public contracts. This article will explore the growing significance of sustainable public procurement, the benefits of shifting to quality and sustainability criteria, and the measures taken to facilitate access for companies and strengthen the dynamics of sustainable public procurement in Belgium.

Currently, the emphasis on award criteria often lies with price, without adequately considering other factors. However, a shift towards criteria focused on quality, innovation, and environmental and social impact provides new opportunities and encourages companies to adopt sustainable practices.

In Belgium, nearly 20,000 public tenders are issued each year, worth billions of euros. Sustainable public procurement can play a pivotal role in transitioning to a more responsible economic model. By integrating quality and sustainability criteria at every stage of the award, they become a true showcase for committed companies. Sustainable public tenders promote innovation, encourage competition based on added value, and contribute to creating a more sustainable future.

To maximize the benefits of sustainable public procurement in Wallonia, the Walloon government has adopted a responsible purchasing policy as part of the Recovery Plan.

12 concrete measures in Wallonia

• Establishing a responsible purchasing network to facilitate encounters between buyers and companies, share best practices, organize thematic workshops...
• Creating tools to help public buyers optimally formulate their request
• Creating tools to assist Walloon companies in efficiently responding to the demand
• Supporting public buyers in preparing their tenders and Walloon companies, especially SMEs/self-employed individuals, through training, guidance...
• Promoting and making available existing tools like simplified tender models to make understanding public procurement more accessible
• Distributing information through the public procurement portal
• Making available a business directory for Wallonia where companies can register to indicate their availability for public contracts
• Optimizing and restructuring purchasing centers
• Digitalizing public procurement processes
• Optimizing purchasing processes to be efficient and have clear objectives
• Reporting on public contracts awarded within the Recovery Plan framework to get an overview of public tenders in Wallonia, analyze data, and adjust the strategy if needed
• Launching a communication and awareness campaign about public procurement.

By promoting broader award criteria, public tenders become more attractive and accessible to a greater number of companies and entrepreneurs. This encourages diversity and healthy competition while urging businesses in the sector to continuously improve their practices. Sustainable public tenders are thus a driving force for progress and contribute to a more balanced economic, social, and environmental development.

Some government bodies have taken concrete measures, such as the Brussels-Capital Region, which implemented specific guidelines to foster sustainability in public procurement. These initiatives can serve as examples for other regions looking for ways to green their public tenders.

Public procurement can contribute to a radical market transformation and is therefore a powerful tool for change. They have the potential to boost innovation and quality, connect businesses, and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable economy. The challenge lies in encouraging broader integration of these practices and ensuring their efficient and effective application across all levels of the public sector.

Conclusion

Over the years, Belgium has taken significant steps in the field of sustainable public procurement. By placing greater emphasis on quality, innovation, and sustainability criteria, the country fosters innovation and promotes responsible business practices. However, the challenge remains to consistently apply these principles and ensure their effective implementation. Only by collaborating and learning from each other can we effect real change and build a more sustainable future for all.

Recommendations

To promote and ensure sustainable public procurement, Belgium should:

• Continue to invest in training and support for public buyers and businesses
• Promote and monitor the application of sustainable criteria in procurement processes
• Encourage collaboration and exchange of best practices between regions
• View public procurement as an opportunity to bring about real change, not just a cost
• Keep innovating and developing new methods and techniques to promote sustainability and quality in public procurement.