- “We see this as a tool to send very clear signals to the market. Okay. And I can give you an example that public procurement accounts for 11% of the steel market for construction today, it accounts for 3.5% of the automotive market. But for other industrial products and technologies, the public investment represents an even higher share. So with the Industrial Accelerator Act, we are going to possibly propose some sustainability and minimum EU content requirements in public procurement and in public support schemes that will ensure that public spending do support very actively the economic security and the resilience. We have recently published an evaluation of our public procurement framework, and we have observed a certain number of deficiencies in the way that public procurement is organized and regulated right now in the European Union. And this is why, in the context of the Accelerator Act, there will be a number of efforts made on public procurement for the specific sectors that are going to be covered by the Accelerator Act. So we believe that there with very clear made in Europe criteria, we are going to bring another decisive contribution to the development of the of the lead market and to respond on on scrap. We are going, of course, to make our most in order to ensure that a scrap remained to be developed in the European Union. Thank you, Madam Chair.”
EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding · "Buy European" provisions
- “So it does not come alone, even if, of course, in the context of the Industrial Accelerator Act, we will try to identify which segments and which sectors and which specific actions are going to be the ones that will be most powerful in the short term in order to boost our lead markets. And indeed, we are going to need some labeling for some green material and for green steel. And we will present some proposals in the context of the EAA, and it is very important for us to secure our strategic industry and to come back to your words, madam. Madam chair. The steel is particularly important to to us, and our objective is not to become autarkic in the European Union and, and but the fact that we have a situation of some capacity at the level of the European Union shows that there is a need to act. So we're not going to build a Fortress Europe with no possibility for entry. We are going to proceed to an integrated strategy that is going to protect our European industry, protect the development of of our Europeans still and will still, of course, make it possible to get some imports. But then there should be some adequate conditions in terms of local content requirements.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “And we could also consider relevant critical technologies linked to innovation and to economic securities, and the requirements would then be applied to relevant downstream sectors, which could generate sufficient demand to incentivise low carbon and or made in EU industrial production, and have the capacity to absorb the green premium or reasonably pass it down to end consumers, which we would see as only a very marginal increase in the final price of the products. And in order to facilitate the differentiation for low carbon industrial products and increase their value and marketability, the Accelerator Act, the Industrial Accelerator Act, could possibly introduce a voluntary low carbon product label for steel, which would leverage existing ETS data and the Cbam methodology. Now, the conditions for foreign investments have also been raised in new interventions. Indeed, the accelerator could introduce foreign direct investment conditionalities for key industries and technologies with the objective of strengthening innovation and value added creation in the EU. And the scope that is currently considered would possibly cover the battery supply chain and potentially relevant EIA. Now what do we intend to do? And I think this will bring a major change compared to the actions of the past. To boost our competitiveness is a permitting simplification shock for all industries. The permitting process in many, if not most, of the member states, is really hindering the introduction and the development of new technologies and of green technologies.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) · EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure
- “Thank you so much, Madam Chair. Thank you very much. Good morning. The commission would like to express our gratitude to the rapporteur for the work accomplished on this draft report, and many issues raised in the draft report are at the core of the ongoing discussions and the core of the work that is currently being done on the preparation of the revision of the public procurement directives, to name a few. The declining level of competition, and we know that we now have 27% of the procedures with a single tender unfair competition, notably coming from third country jurisdictions, administrative complexity and long delays in projects, lack of data, and overview of price only. I can also refer to the charges for the small operators, and of course, the participation of the smaller companies of SMEs in public tender. There is a general consensus on the fact that public procurement is a powerful tool for stimulating jobs, growth and investment. Public procurement can foster an economy that is more resilient, innovative, resource and energy efficient and socially inclusive. High quality public services rely on modern, well-managed and efficient public procurement processes. Enhancing public procurement can lead to significant savings for the European economy. A 1% efficiency gain could save up to €20 billion per year. So a lot is at stake, and the wide response to the open consultation confirms the importance of this revision. We received 733 replies, Most from public authorities. 20% from public. 27% from public authorities and companies, businesses and associations NGOs, trade unions, citizens, academics and consumer organisations also participated. Many respondents feel that the current directives did not effectively simplify the procurement process and did not provide sufficient flexibility, and as the rapporteur has expressed it, simplification is at the heart of our reflection the importance for SMEs, the difficulties of accessing the market.”
EU Single Market harmonisation
- “A lot of work has been done, notably through technical assistance at the level of the Member States to facilitating to facilitate the licensing and the permitting of green technologies. Now, at the level of the EU, in order to streamline the permitting procedures for the manufacturing industry and to increase business certainty over permitting, the Industrial Accelerator Act could possibly propose some specific simplification and streamlining measures, and this would be a very key advancement. These might include a one project, one digital procedure with the digitalisation of the processes, the inclusion of standardised data sets and technical assistance for innovative decarbonisation technologies and decarbonisation projects could benefit from additional permitting provisions to ensure the rapid deployment of decarbonisation initiatives. In addition to this, in the context of the IEA, we could present some accelerating acceleration areas that could possibly be defined by the Member States, and that could receive specific advantages for industrial activities installed in these areas in support of their competitiveness. And this, for example, could possibly include facilitated access to clean energy and raw material needs. So this is everything that relates to the accelerating part and leveraging our lead markets. I would like to add something on Made in Europe that is going to be part of the the component on protecting our industry and facilitating the development of our industry, of our innovative industry, and contributing to the development of our lead markets. We see public procurement as a key tool for creating, boosting, developing lead markets.”
Energy (green transition) · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
- “What we can say at this stage is that the new rules in our intention today, the new rules on public procurement will focus on three main issues. First of all, the simplification of the mechanisms and the procedures, bearing in mind the challenges for smaller companies on the one hand and the small contracting authorities such as the local authorities on the other hand. Second, we will focus our work on the consolidation and the clarification of the interaction between public procurement provisions in different pieces of legislation so that the rules get simpler for the buyers and for the economic operators. Thinking always taking in mind the smaller economic operators. And third very important principle of digital by design, which means the integration of digital technology at every stage of procurement in order to simplify and to encourage accessibility, and also to be able to unlock data on EU public procurement, to boost evidence based, data driven policy making and informed decision making, and to analyse and to monitor better the market developments and to enable more targeted and transparent public spending. The topics of simplification and streamlining of the rules will be at the heart of our action. But we also would like to make a shift from the how to buy to the what to buy, which means to work on strengthening the strategic role of public procurement through qualitative requirements and European preference in strategic sectors which will complement the existing legislation such as, for example, the Net Zero Industry Act.”
"Buy European" provisions · Digitalization of public governance & administration
- “Thank you so much, Madam Chair. Many thanks to the MEPs for their points and their questions. When listening to the respective interventions, I had in mind four different axes of response or reaction. Notably regarding the initiatives in preparation. So today the Commission adopted the economic security doctrine and and resource EU and indeed the Industrial Accelerator Act is on the agenda of the college for next week. I think that I mean, we are going to to respond to lead markets, and lead markets can be looked at in the Broader framework of the work that we're doing on the competitiveness of the European Union and preserving the competitiveness, boosting the competitiveness of the European Union, whilst at the same time accelerating our green transition and creating the green market, the green, the lead market. Sorry. We can look into the dimension of what can we do to accelerate the innovation and the development of the green markets. Look into the protection dimension. The topic of Made in Europe has been raised and tackled several times. How to leverage our green markets and our lead markets, and what type of financial support can be brought in that direction. As mentioned by the president of the Commission in the state of the Union address. The Industrial Accelerator Act will boost demand for clean, green and Made in Europe products in key strategic sectors and in key technologies, and it will also introduce Made in Europe criteria in public procurement.”
"Buy European" provisions · Competitiveness matrix
- “Our objective with the Industrial Accelerator Act is to increase the decarbonised and resilient industrial production in the EU manufacturing industry. So we're really going to focus on the manufacturing industry by supporting the lead markets for low carbon and for and or for Made in Europe industrial products and clean technologies. And we're going to work to speed up the related planning, tendering and permitting process so there will be an acceleration and this will be intended to contribute significantly to boosting our sustainable growth in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. So yes, there have been previous initiatives and some of you have been referring to past initiatives of the European Commission and to results at the current stage. But here we are really giving a boost to the action of the European Commission, and only in markets we are going to work to enable green and European premium on investments. So in the context of the Accelerator Act, We're contemplating proposing the introduction of sustainability and of minimum EU content requirements in public procurement and in public support schemes, and for some products placed on the market for key strategic sectors and technologies. For the moment, the Act is still in preparation. You know it will be at the agenda of the college next week, but the scope of this act is being assessed. It may include energy intensive industries, materials specific clean tech sectors, for example batteries or solar photovoltaics, and possibly vehicle component manufacturers as well.”
"Buy European" provisions
- “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The commission would like to thank very much the rapporteur and the groups for their contributions to this own initiative report. We have heard about the different amendments that are being tabled. Their numbers still drives an element of consensus on the fact that the public procurement reform is going to be extremely strategic for the European Union, and that the public procurement reform can bring a very, very strong lever to investment in the European Union. We know that many of the proposals that have been tabled are very much in line with the vision that the Commission wishes to pursue with this important reform. The European reform of the legislative framework for public procurement has an objective which goes much beyond the technical topic of public procurement. This reform actually offers an opportunity to transform the rules on public procurement into a powerful lever for investment that will provide a stable and a reliable investment framework for EU pioneers in clean technologies and essential value chains, and the possibility to contribute to advancing the green agenda of the European Union. Many amendments highlight the complexity of the current legislative framework, and this also coincides with the view that 59% of respondents to the consultation that was launched by the Commission earlier this year Actually a simpler and more coherent framework for public procurement is absolutely essential to unlock investment and competition in the single market. Hence, to advance the competitiveness of our European Union. Simplification reduces red tape and administrative burdens, in particular for SMEs and local authorities, and it can encourage wider participation as well as the entry of new actors. So we will work to rethink tender procedures by reducing the number and by simplifying them, by adding flexibility and consolidating and clarifying the public procurement provisions in different pieces of legislation to make the applicable legal framework coherent, clearer and better adapted to the realities of our market, and several amendments have actually clarified this.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding
- “Price is the only criterion that dominates the vast majority of the world's. Approximately 65% of contracts are awarded solely on the basis of this criterion today. But by aligning public procurement with key EU priorities such as those set out in the Net Zero Industry Act and in the Ecodesign regulation, the new rules will harmonize and integrate sustainability, circularity and resilience requirements into public investments. We also need a digital transformation. Adopting a digital by design approach to improve visibility, accessibility and cross-border opportunities for EU suppliers. Use. Improving digital processes and data collection will empower policymakers and market actors, leading to smarter investments and transparent public spending. Our public procurement is open to international companies. However, they must not only comply with our European rules, but also they benefit from advantageous conditions compared to our European companies. And the reform will also examine ways to ensure that European goods, services and technologies are not disadvantaged. Sector specific approaches could be considered to strengthen the European preference, where it is justified in order to ensure the EU's industrial autonomy and critical infrastructure. I would like to thank again the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs for their efforts and dedication to producing this report. We very much look forward to continuing our cooperation and to future exchanges where we can work together to address all key issues identified. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.”
"Buy European" provisions · EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding · Digitalization of public governance & administration
- “So we there is another part that I wanted to to mention in my first intervention, which was the contribution of the public finances in the context of the next MFF, because all this will be will need to be seen with all the public support schemes that are going to come, in addition to the measures on permitting, on public procurement, etc., that we are going to have very important funded reach. We have presented the proposal for the European Competitiveness Fund. We are going to have specific systems to support the development of our industry, support our our SMEs, support our developing industry, support our scale ups, etc. and and provide systems of guarantees and public public support, notably in partnership with the European Investment Fund, with the European Investment Bank, etc., etc.. So again, all this is needs to be looked at from the technical angle, from the angle of the technologies that are going to be covered from a wider angle in the area of the measures embedded in our competitiveness policy, and from everything that can contribute to supporting our industry and the creation of the lead markets through the public funding instruments and the European Competitiveness Fund. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.”
Energy transition (state support) · State Aid
- “And we will want to focus on the added value of EU public procurement for citizens through security of supply in the area of strategic technologies, products and services. We absolutely must avoid supply disruptions. We must diversify our value chains. And we need to avoid the situation of strategic dependencies. So public procurement is no longer only a set of rules and procedures that regulate how public buyers buy. Public procurement can be a powerful strategic tool to foster a robust and adaptable economy, capable of withstanding various challenges and uncertainties. As illustrated in the current international circumstances, a strategic tool to achieve economic objectives. To buy strategic assets to mitigate risks and dependencies to help attain technological sovereignty or to adapt and respond to crisis. The result of the evaluation and this evaluation will comprise, amongst other data. Data on the participation of bidders from third country jurisdictions, as well as the adoption of the own initiative report by the summer, will guide our work and will contribute to further clarifying the area of focus that I outlined previously. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.”
EU digital & tech sovereignty · "Buy European" provisions · EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure
- “Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you very much. And the Commission would like to thank the rapporteur for the work carried out for the preparation of this opinion, which raises many issues that are at the heart of the discussions and at the work that is currently being done on the revision of the public procurement directives. We have started the revision process with an evaluation of the current directives. We are consulting with a large a large number of stakeholders through an open public consultation, and we are also conducting targeted consultations in order to get some feedback on the perception of the various sectors on how these directives work, and also on the main problems and issues encountered in this area. An example that was mentioned is the importance that must be accorded to SMEs and the difficulties of accessing the markets, and these are precisely at the heart of our consultation strategy. Together, of course, with other public market actors such as the industries, the local and regional authorities, the social partners, etc. and considerations like the link with the implementation of other policy agendas of the Commission are of course also taken into consideration. And we do share several of the challenges that are presented in the draft report prepared in Imco and in what you have been sharing, what the honourable members have been sharing in the context of the preparation of the inter opinion.”
EU Single Market harmonisation
- “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I think, first of all, I should start with a word of precision or caveat. When providing some some indications on our strategy and preparation of the Industrial Accelerator Act. The reason for the possibly, etc., is due to the fact that this is work in preparation. This is work in progress and it is at the agenda of the Commission next week. So I should not in any. And my words should not be understood as prejudging the decision of the College of Commissioners next week. And of course, once the Industrial Accelerator Act will be adopted by the College of Commissioners, it will come to the co-legislators as a proposal for regulation. So there you will be in full capacity, of course, to take the sovereign decision as legislators on the on the content of the Accelerator Act. And. The, the, the different points that have been made in this range of interventions. I think links to the fact that in order to create, develop and boost lead markets, one need to focus and drive integrated strategies, because we're really talking about the preservation of our industry at large, the support to our industry at large, even if focusing on specific manufacturing, technological markets. But this is part of a more integrated strategy.”
State Aid · EU Single Market harmonisation
- “So the new rules will focus on simplifying the mechanisms and the procedures, taking into account the challenges faced by smaller companies and small contracting authorities such as the local authorities and taking well care of the local needs. And I go back to the example of the local canteens. Secondly, consolidating and clarifying the interaction between public procurement provisions in different pieces of legislation, making the rules simpler for buyers and for economic operators. A second priority that is also mentioned in the draft report is the need for digital transformation. In the consultation, respondents considered that E-procurement had reduced administrative burdens and it can speed up procurement. Businesses view this more positively, actually, than the public authorities, but we believe that we can do more. We can create a system that is digital by design. That is the integration of digital technology at every stage of procurement to and to, to simplify and encourage accessibility and to unlock data on public procurement. We would like to strengthen the strategic role of public procurement. Now, 65% of the contracts are still awarded on the lowest price. We are also going to look very closely at the social criteria in public procurement to ensure that a real level playing field is created for all actors. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.”
Digitalization of public governance & administration · EU policy on social criteria in public funding