Harnessing Public Procurement for the Green Transition

Belgium

Framework, scope, action-plans

At the national level in Belgium, there is a unique structure that includes the federal level, the three regions, and the communities. When it comes to various national responsibilities in Belgium, they are jointly managed by both the federal government and the three regional authorities, and there is no hierarchical arrangement among them. In practical terms, this approach means that GPP strategies are developed for each of the respective administrative bodies.

National strategical issues on sustainable public procurement are discussed within the working group of the Interministerial conference with federal and regional representatives, but a proper national action plan, doesn’t exist in Belgium at the time of the Survey.

At the federal level, the 2014 GPP policy will be revised in 2023-2024 (Integration of sustainable development, including social clauses and measures favouring small and medium-sized enterprises, in the context of public contracts awarded by federal contracting authorities) and is especially part of the broader federal Sustainable Development Policy (2021) and the federal Procurement Policy (2021-2023).

Sometimes, references to GPP/SPP are included in other policy documents (e.g. references to GPP energy efficiency or car policies in climate action plans).

National co-ordination on GPP is provided via:

• The Coordination Committee for International Environmental Policy

• The Interdepartmental Commission for Sustainable Development

• The Inter-ministerial Conference for Sustainable development

At the federal level, the following 3 Departments work closely together on SPP policy and regulation:

1. The Chancellery of the Prime Minister (for regulatory matters on public procurement)

2. The Ministry for Policy and Support (for central procurement, strategic co-ordination with federal public procurement practitioners and e-Procurement monitoring)

3. The Federal Institute for Sustainable Development (for SPP policy development, tools, studies, projects, and monitoring)

Implementation

GPP criteria have been developed by Flanders as well as at federal level thanks to initiatives by several departments. In most cases, the EU GPP criteria are the basis for national-level discussions with stakeholders. To date, federal GPP/sustainable criteria have been developed for about 70 product and service groups.

The Flemish region integrated responsible public procurement in the overall strategy on procurement of the Government of Flanders. The strategy urges public procurement practitioners to evaluate opportunities for sustainability in every contract.

The Brussels Capital Region has a framework with three levels: (i) development of references, e.g. for clean vehicles and sustainable buildings construction and renovation; (ii) providing information, training sessions and helpdesk advice; (iii) establishing a mandatory framework for the public authorities dependent on the Brussels region.

On 4 February 2021, Wallonia adopted his first strategy for the Circular Economy. Public procurement is identified as a lever to initiate Wallonia's transition to a circular economy. Wallonia’s ambitions by 2025 include: 50% of relevant public procurement contracts will integrate circular economy principles or circular criteria; 75% of public information and communications technology (ICT) contracts will be circular and ethical. All public demolition/deconstruction contracts and subsidised contracts will include a materials inventory and selective deconstruction and reuse materials will be used in all public works contracts and progressively in works subsidised by the Walloon Region.

Measurement and impact

Public authorities in Belgium monitor GPP trough a digital platform that is linked to the e-Procurement system. Until August 2022 reporting on GPP was voluntary for Belgian public procurement practitioners.

Most recent developments

Since September 2023, Belgium uses a centralised e-Procurement platform known as e-Procurement Belgium, operated by the Federal Public Service Policy and Support (BOSA - DG Procurement). This platform serves as a central hub for electronic procurement activities.

Moreover, the revision of the GPP Federal Strategy – which will take place in 2023 and 2024 – proposes to make GPP monitoring mandatory for certain product groups and services. The new federal strategy is expected to be approved in February – March 2024.