New European Commission’s “Buying Social” guide: a giant step for the EC, a small step for sustainable procurement

A press release by a network of trade unions and social and sustainable development organisations commenting on the European Commission's launch of the long-awaited “Buying social: a guide to take account of social considerations in public procurement”. The signatories considers that the guide fails to reflect the true potential of public procurement as an instrument in support of social and sustainable development objectives. Much more is needed if the EU and Member States are to live up to the EU Treaty commitments and international obligations in this field.