31/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - Public procurement package in force from 17 April. The directives revising the directive on public procurement and the directive on concessions simplify procedures for awarding public contracts (reducing timescales and the documentation required), make it easier for SMEs to have access (grouping into lots encouraged), roll out more electronic public procurement markets and set conditions allowing for cooperation between public undertakings to be exempted from competition requirements (see EUROPE 11017). The specific concessions directive leaves the regulatory authorities a great deal of latitude in granting a concession. One of the political battles in this dossier aimed to exclude the drinking water sector from its scope. (MB)