Minister for Public Administration wants to see simplified EU-level regulatory framework for public procurement

Public procurement has an annual turnover of more than SEK 900 billion in Sweden, corresponding to just over one sixth of the country’s GDP. 

Swedish legislation on public procurement is based on EU directives. Just over half of the 17 000 procurements announced annually in Sweden are covered by this legal framework. The European Commission is reviewing these directives and intends to propose a revised legal framework at the end of 2026.

“The current regulatory framework is unnecessarily complicated. It damages trust in public procurement and makes it less attractive for businesses to take part. More than 70 000 tenders are submitted every year. This shows a high level of interest, but at the same time, in 18 per cent of these procurements, only one tender is received. A guiding principle for a new regulatory framework should be to make it easier for authorities to get the best value for their money. This would lead to more efficient use of tax money and increased benefit for citizens,” says Mr Slottner.

The new regulatory framework needs to decrease in scope and detail so as to support less rules-based and more business-oriented public procurement. In addition to rules following from the EU’s international trade commitments, careful consideration should be given to what additional provisions are necessary to create conditions for fair competition, combat corruption, exclude unscrupulous and criminal companies, and ensure national security and security of supply.

Increased flexibility is also needed. For example, many tenderers are currently excluded due to technical errors. This is devastating for competition in both the short and long term. More room to address such shortcomings is needed in the regulatory framework and room for negotiation also needs to be expanded. To improve the prospects of procurement resulting in contracts that are good for both parties and that give the public sector access to the best solutions, a general possibility to negotiate should be introduced.