Public procurement represents around 14% of the EU’s GDP, giving public authorities significant opportunities to influence business practices. Yet human rights and environmental risks remain widespread in public supply chains, while responsible procurement practices are still unevenly implemented.

Drawing on interviews with procurement practitioners, policy advisors and researchers, the new policy paper examines how public buyers in Germany, Belgium and Sweden are already integrating human rights and environmental due diligence into procurement – from risk-based requirements and supplier engagement to contract clauses and monitoring. The briefing also analyses how the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct can enhance both the implementation and enforcement of social considerations in public procurement. 

The findings highlight the need for clearer rules and stronger support and provide concrete recommendations for EU decision-makers to strengthen the proposed Public Procurement Act by clarifying how due diligence can be required and monitored, improving supply-chain transparency, and providing practical guidance and model contract clauses for public buyers and suppliers.

Read the full policy paper here. 

Get in touch

For more information about our work on Public Procurement, please reach out to Paola Plaku at plaku@fairtade-advocacy.org.