EASPD has joined the Network for Sustainable Development in Public Procurement (NSDPP), a coalition of social and environmental NGOs, trade unions and social economy organisations united by their joint aim to achieve progress in sustainable development through enabling EU public procurement legislation and policies.

EASPD joins the NSDPP in welcoming the European Parliament’s adoption of the own-initiative report on Public Procurement on 10 September 2025.

While not perfect, the report reflects a growing consensus: the lowest price criterion in EU procurement is not working.  The report stresses the need to train contracting authorities in the best price-quality ratio by applying the “Most Economically Advantageous Tender” (MEAT) criteria. This means tenders should be assessed not only regarding cost but also on additional factors such as social and environmental considerations, a long-term demand of civil society, trade unions and social economy organisations across Europe.

In addition, EASPD welcomes the recognition of other key priorities, such as:

• Enhancing support for SMEs and social economy organisations.
• Prioritising social inclusion for persons with disabilities through the recognition of reserved contracts as a good practice.
• Recognising the significant potential of Socially Responsible Public Procurement (SRPP) in promoting decent work, social inclusion and sustainable development.
• Highlighting the crucial contribution of non-profit organisations and social enterprises in public procurement, among others.

The NSDPP hopes that these provisions will lay the groundwork for the forthcoming EU Commission proposal, paving the way for a shift from voluntary guidelines to a binding and ambitious framework for sustainable and inclusive public procurement across the EU. 

Read the NSDPP's joint statement here.