Brussels, 13/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission's Public Procurement Working Group recommends, in a report published on Tuesday 12 April, that a directive be adopted to promote the public procurement of 'bioproducts,' in other words products manufactured from renewable biological raw materials.
The proposal is one of the working group's 15 recommendations for boosting this sector in public calls for tender. The report's authors say introducing incentives might not be enough to ensure a speedy transition to a sustainable bioeconomy and therefore suggest drawing up a 'bio-based directive.'
The other recommendations include: setting up promotion campaigns to incorporate such products in selection criteria for public procurement; accelerating the convergence of norms in this domain; promoting the development and convergence of labels; setting up studies to compile data on the practices of bodies responsible for selection in public procurement calls for tender; defining metrical and measurement techniques to determine the level of integration of bioproducts in public procurement practices; developing and voicing a clear manifesto defending bioproducts; developing information kits for public procurement bodies; integrating public calls for tender that include criteria for bioproducts on existing platforms and in existing instruments, such as the LIFE programme and Green Public Procurement; revising EU legislation to improve the penetration of bioproducts; targeting useful practices outside the EU; improving the communication of public calls for tender, taking bioproducts into account; establishing a bureau to monitor on a full-time basis the planning and implementation of packages of measures to boost the bioeconomy's share.
The recommendations are aimed at responsible bodies at European, national and regional level, explain the authors. The experts add that resources will be needed to ensure permanent coordination of the various levels and bodies. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)