In light of the Europe 2020 strategy, public authorities in the European Union should make better use of public procurement in support of general societal goals such as the protection of the environment and good social conditions. However, the objective of the procurement rules in the Union is primarily to strengthen the single market and the EU’s competitiveness. An important issue, therefore, is the ability of public authorities to make social or environmental demands when purchasing products. The situation is different in the U.S. where American states can encourage, and in some cases even require, public institutions to purchase products manufactured in that state (i.e., a geographic preference) due to the so called Market Participant Exception.

At this seminar, two SIEPS papers will be presented: Strategic Use of Public Procurement – Limits and Opportunities by Jörgen Hettne and the report States as Market Participants in the U.S. and EU? – Public Purchasing and the Environment by Jason Czarnezki.

Speakers
Jörgen Hettne, Senior Researcher, SIEPS, Associate Professor of EU Law, Lund University
Jason Czarnezki, Professor of Law, the Environmental Law Center, Vermont Law School

Discussants
Roberto Caranta, Professor of Administrative Law, University of Turin
Åsa Edman, Principal Secretary, the Public Procurement Committee, Ministry for Social Affairs

Chair
Andrea Sundstrand, Doctor of Procurement Law, Stockholm University
 

Time: Tuesday 23 April, 14.00-16.30. Registration/coffee from 13.30.   
Venue: Medelhavsmuseet, Fredsgatan 2, Stockholm
Language: English

Register no later than 22 April.