The European Commission has recently published a new voluntary construction-related criteria set: The EU Green Public Procurement(GPP) criteria for Road Design, Construction and Maintenance. The publication of such criteria follows a review process undertaken by the different services of the Commission, namely DG ENV and Joint Research Centre (JRC). The newly published EU GPP criteria aim at helping public authorities willing to procure greener construction or renovation works in a cost-effective way. The criteria are accompanied by a Procurement practice guidance document aimed at facilitating the use of the criteria in the different stages of procuring a road. The new criteria are available in English and the other official languages will follow soon.
EUPAVE has actively participated in the revision of the GPP criteria for road construction. Thus, it believes that a correct evaluation can only be done through a complete life-cycle assessment, including the use and operational phase of the pavement, over an appropriate service life. For EUPAVE, “Design-Build-Operate” is often the best procurement method in order to achieve the best performing solutions on the long term. Furthermore, EUPAVE advocates “Alternate Bidding” procurement procedures, to encourage road authorities to look at different equivalent available options. EUPAVE now expects Member States and their contracting authorities to follow and implement these criteria when procuring roads.
To download the EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) Criteria for Road Design and Construction Maintenance PDF, please go to: http://www.eupave.eu/documents/graphics/reports/gpp-criteria-roads-2016-203.pdf.
To download the Procurement Practice Guidance Document (draft version) PDF, please go to: http://www.eupave.eu/documents/graphics/reports/jrc-gpp-road-guidance-document.pdf.