Toast to fair trade in public procurement

From left: MEP Marc Tarabella (S&D, Belgium), MEP Linda McAvan (S&D, UK), EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier, MEP Heide Rühle (Greens, Germany) and Malcolm Harbour (ECR, UK) raise a glass to the new directive

The new EU Public Procurement Directive was approved today (15 January) by a large majority of MEPs, after a political agreement was reached with the Council of Ministers. The vote puts an end to the revision procedure initiated three years ago by the European Commission.

Public authorities across Europe will be able henceforth to make a deliberate choice for fair-trade products, besides taking into account other sustainability considerations. The new law confirms the direction set by the Court of Justice of the European Union in the 'North Holland' case ruling (Commission vs Netherlands C‑368/10), which for the first time clarified that public contracts can award additional points to products of fair-trade origin.

The possibility to consider social aspects alongside environmental is a step forward from the existing rules. Furthermore, the new Directive explicitly allows referring to robust certification schemes as a proof of compliance with the sustainability requirements set out in call for tenders.

To celebrate, the Fair Trade Working Group in the European Parliament organized a drink with 'fairly traded' sparkling wine after the vote, and clinked glasses with Commissioner Michel Barnier and leading MEPs from various political groups. "I have always said I believe in open borders. But trade has to be both free and fair. The two words must go together. That is the condition for successful and accepted globalisation, which is genuinely in the interest of all and in particular the poorest. The Fair Trade working group does extremely useful work in this area, promoting these policies and I fully support Linda McAvan and her team's tireless work in this area,” said Barnier.

The Fair Trade Movement welcomed the new text, which it says should "reassure and encourage public authorities across Europe that already support farmers in the South through their purchases to continue doing so. The new EU rules will also hopefully also drive others towards the sustainable development path."

Fair Trade Advocacy Office Executive Director Sergi Corbalán said: “The ball is now in the member states’ court, as they need to implement the changes introduced by the new EU rules into national law. Member states should use this opportunity to also put in place socially sustainable sourcing strategies that support fair trade.”

The new public procurement directive is expected to enter into force in March 2014 - member states will then have two years to transpose it into national law.

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