Brussels, 31/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - As we mentioned briefly (see yesterday's EUROPE page 11), on 30 October, the European Commission sent official requests to Germany, Italy and Sweden to rectify irregularities in awarding certain public contracts for the purchase of services.
In Germany, contracts have been awarded in three regions without the open tendering procedures required by the EC Treaty and public procurement directives, which aim to open up public procurement to competition. These contracts were for waste disposal in the Landkreis Friesland, sewage water treatment and energy supply in Jever and for the development and marketing of new services park in the city of Limburg.
In Italy, the Piedmont region awarded a contract for technical assistance for the management of European funds according to criteria incompatible with the directives.
In Sweden, a contract for bus transport services was also awarded according to inappropriate criteria.
In a press release,, the Commission recalls that, when a major public contract is awarded without all eligible European tenderers having a chance to bid and/or awarded contracts according to inappropriate criteria, European enterprises are deprived of their right to compete equitably for the contract concerned and safeguards against corruption are weakened. Furthermore, the authorities awarding the contract - and therefore the taxpayer - may receive a worse or more expensive service than might have been provided had the right procedure been applied. The Commission addressed these formal requests to Germany, Italy and Sweden in the form of "reasoned opinions". If the Member states concerned do not comply within two months, the Commission may refer the cases to the Court of Justice.