Brussels, 27/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Committee of the Regions (CoR) is concerned that the European Commission's updating of the public procurement directives will make life difficult for local and regional authorities, as it explains in a draft opinion by its economic and social policy committee (ECOS) developed by Catarina Segersten Larsson (EPP, Sweden), setting out areas where improvements to the Commission's plans are required.
Legislation is too cumbersome, says the CoR, but red tape must be reduced as a matter of urgency, particularly vis-à-vis the social and environmental criteria. The regions want the distinction between priority and non-priority services to be retained in the draft directive. In terms of cutting red tape, it welcomes the simplification of the process of lodging documents. The CoR is also happy with the idea of introducing a European passport for bidders and easier bidding for small business. The draft opinion is expected to be formally adopted at the CoR's plenary in October.
At the ECOS meeting in Jesi (Italy), on Monday 25 June, a draft opinion by Witold Krochmal (AE, Poland) on business and small business competitiveness and a draft opinion by Paul Lindquist (EPP, Sweden) on an agenda for decent, affordable and secure pensions were also adopted, which are also expected to be formally endorsed in October. (MD/transl.fl)