Brussels, 28/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Too little, too late, is the verdict of a group of trade unions (EPUS), fair trade (EFTA) and social organisations (Solidar) on Friday 28 January to the guide to social considerations in the award of public contracts, a guide published by the European Commission the same day. In a press release, the dozen or so bodies say that the guide makes a restrictive interpretation of what is allowed under EU directives because it advises local authorities to use the implementation clauses of contracts to cover social considerations rather than making them part of the bid criteria used to award the contracts. The Commission explains in the guide that implementation clauses are usually the best way to incorporate social considerations about employment and working conditions for the workers involved in carrying out the contract. The signatory organisations urge the European Commission to take advantage of revision of the public procurement directives to give social considerations a greater role (see EUROPE 10303). (M.B./transl fl)