eu green public procurement (gpp) policy
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EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) Policy
European CommissionEnvironment Directorate-General Robert Kaukewitsch
Asia-Pacific GPP & Ecolabel Training
Setting the Scene (I)
• EU is composed of 28 Member States
• More than 100,000 procurement entities
• Huge diversity
• Mainly voluntary policy
• Some cities and countries started in 1980ies
• Others still do nothing
Setting the Scene (II)
• European Commission is one of the institutions of the European Union
• Right of initiative
• Guardian of the treaties
• Legislation adopted by European Parliament and Council of Ministers
Legal Framework – the PP directives
• Adopted in 2014, to be transposed into national law by April 2016
• Rules on how to purchase, not what to purchase
• Setting of environmental requirements possible for products, services and works to be purchased
• Link to the subject matter!
• Clear reference to the possibility to require certain production processes
• Not possible: setting requirements on overall company policy
GPP is voluntary…with some exceptions
• Energy Star Regulation (2008): obligation to buy office equipment at least as efficient as the Energy Star standards
• Clean Vehicles Directive (2009): obligationto buy environmental friendly vehicles (taking at least CO2, PM10, NOx and NMHC), life cycle tool!
GPP is voluntary…with some exceptions
• Energy Efficiency Directive (October 2012):
"soft" obligation to purchase energy efficient buildings and equipment of the highest energy labelling class. ONLY FOR:
- central government
- purchases above the value thresholds
- “insofar as this is consistent with cost- effectiveness, economic feasibility, wider sustainability, technical suitability, sufficient competition”.
• Political target: 50% of tendering procedures to be green by 2010
• Common EU GPP criteria for priority products and services
• Legal/operational Guidance
• GPP National Action Plans
Communication (2008)Public Procurement for a Better Environment
Choice of GPP product groups
• Public expenditure
• Environmental impact
• Improvement potential
• Standards available-verification do-able?
• UNEP/DEFRA prioritisation tool
20+ EU GPP Criteria
Food & Catering services
Computer and Monitors* NEW
Furniture*
Copying and graphic paper * Cleaning products and
services*
Gardening products and services
Office Buildings NEW
Transport
Electricity
Textiles*
*= also EU Ecolabel criteria available
20+ EU GPP Criteria
Sanitary tapware*
EEE Health care sector
Combined Heat & Power
Flushing Toilets&Urinals*
Wall panels
Imaging Equipment*
Waste water infrastructures
Street lighting and traffic signals
Indoor lighting
Water based heaters*
Roads NEW
• Street lighting
• Food and Catering
• Cleaning Services
• Furniture
• Textiles
• Transport
• Paints and Varnishes
• Data Centres
Criteria under development
GPP(GPP/Ecolabel) development process by the Joint Research Centre and DG
Environment
Core criteria:
• Aim at addressing the key environmental impacts
• Require minimum additional verification effort or cost increases.
Comprehensive criteria:
• Aim at purchasing the best environmental products available on the market
• possibly requiring additional verification efforts or a slight increase in
cost compared to other products with the same functionality.
Two levels of criteria
GPP criteria are largely based on standard Type I ecolabels.It is however not allowed to ask for products to have a specific label.
GPP website of the European Commission:
• Full sets of EU GPP criteria and background reports in 20+ languages
• Buying Green Handbook NEW!
• More than 100 GPP Examples
• News and upcoming events
HELP DESK:
In EN, FR, DE [email protected]
Newsletter (please sign up!)
Much more done at national level
GPP support tools by the Commission
• 2008 study: +-50% target in the 7 most advanced Member States for 10 productgroups
• Netherlands 2011: 99.8% of public procurement
at national level in 2010 green (target: 100%), provinces: 96% (target: 50%), municipalities 86 to 90% (target: 75%)
How much GPP is being done in the EU?
• 2011 Study: 50% target not met across EU (26%), but more than 50% of public authorities are doing some sort of GPP
• Knowledge base very thin
Large differences between good and bad performers:
• The four top performing countries applied GPP in 40-60% of the cases
• In 12 countries: less than 20%
• Top performers according to different studies: Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, UK
The frontrunner countries
Denmark, UK, NL, DE: obligation to buy timber only from sustainably managed forests
Netherlands, Flanders:100% SPP target
Italy: 2015 Law obliges all public authorities to apply Minimum Environmental Criteria for all procurement of goods, services and works with requirements for energy efficiency - 50% of the other categories must be greened
Malta: NAP establishes GPP targets for 18 product groups
Some ambitious developments in the MS
Frontrunner countries are usually characterised by:
• Long tradition in GPP
• Targets for achieving certain GPP levels
• Existence of hard or soft obligations
• Developed and institutionalised, proactive capacity-building efforts
The frontrunner countries
From a Linear Economy…
DISPOSEMAKETAKENATURAL RESOURCES
WASTEWASTEWASTE
…to a Circular Economy
Green Public Procurement in CE AP
• Key role for circular economy acknowledged
• Special emphasis on circular economy aspects in criteria-setting
• Support a greater uptake of GPP criteria by public authorities, e.g. by training
• Commission to lead by example - in its own procurement, and by reinforcing the use of GPP in EU funding
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Reinforcing CE aspects in GPP criteriaExamples
• Replaceability and longer life-time of batteries in laptops
• Easy dismantling of monitors for recycling
• Easy repair of furniture, incl. spare part availability
• Encourage use of recycled materials in construction
Support higher uptake of GPP
• Training
• Technical assistance
• Peer-to-peer learning
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GPP Good Practices
The City of Barcelona (2013) adopted
mandatory green criteria for vehicles, electricity,
food and catering services
• Procurement Team working directly with Mayor’s office
• Cost reductions: Slimming down procurement processes, reducing purchased articles, LCC
• Integrating sustainability elements into all stages of a purchase: needs’ assessment, early market engagement, integration of criteria in tender, control of contract
• Cost savings allow higher expenses where politically wanted (e.g. organic food)
Strategic approach in Ghent
Reduction of 15,000 t of CO2 per year Cost savings of approximately 1.5 million
EUR per year due to modern facility managementand energy-efficient appliances
Employee protection and reduction of healthimpacts through eco-friendly disinfectants andcleaning products - up to 40 % less cleaningproducts used with an equally good result
Air pollutants and particulate matter reducedthrough low-emission vehicles and by decreasingthe transports on and for construction sites –annual external costs of about 300,000 EURavoided
Eco-buy Vienna
ICLEI European Secretariat
GPP 2020 Project Coordinator
Philipp Tepper
Tel. +49 761/ 368920
Email: [email protected]
GPP 2020 aims to mainstream low-carbon public
procurement across Europe.
Starting point: Many successful SPP examples, projects,
policies, but little quantified information on impact. Policy makers
need this data, GPP 2020 provides it.
GPP 2020 approach: Big Impact – working with big buyers in 8 EU countries and
quantified impact - calculating CO2 savings for each tender
• Over 100 GPP tenders for energy related products and services carried out – all
documented in Tender Models (46 as of 20.1.16)
• Estimated savings: 250,000 t CO2e (as of 20.1.16)
• Training series run with over 40 training seminars and 600 people reached (as of
20.1.16)
• Further support activities in each partner country: training, helpdesks, networking
events, guidance
www.gpp2020.eu
Political support
Well-trained workforce
Strategic procurement function
Long-time planning
Dialogue with the market
Concentration on main environmental impact areas
Monitoring procedures
Networking (international projects?)
Elements of a strong GPP policy
The EU Ecolabel
European Commission,Environment Directorate-General Jiannis Kougoulis,
High-Level Training Workshop on
The Implementation of Green Public Procurement
and Eco-labelling organised by UNEP
WHAT IS THE EU ECOLABEL?
The official European Ecolabel, managed by the European Commissionand 28 EU Member State authorities (Competent Bodies).
EU single market
One voluntary label of environmental excellencefor all the European market.
It includes social aspects in case of specific public interest
It provides European consumers an environmental certification they can trust.
• Provides the Legal Framework on Criteria development process and implementation.
• 1. Criteria are based on scientific and technical evidence: environmental impacts along the life cycle, avoid the use of hazardous substances, promote resource efficiency by recycling and durable products
Legal FrameworkThe EU Ecolabel Regulation 66/2010
EU Ecolabel Regulation 66/2010
• 2. Criteria development process : Two open stakeholders consultation meetings (participation of experts by industry, Member States, NGOs). Proposal is voted in the Regulatory Committee by Member States and adopted by the European Commission
• 3. Publication of European Commission Decision: EU Ecolabel criteria for Lubricants were published in the Official Journal in June 2011
• 4. Criteria set addresses requirements on the environmental performance of the products but also on their technical performance (high quality –durable products)
• 5. Multi-criteria set that is pass/fail and are third party verified criteria
The EU Ecolabel Regulation 66/2010
EU Ecolabel Regulation 66/2010
EU Ecolabel documents for applicants
EU Ecolabel Regulation
x32
Products& services
EU Ecolabel Criteria
EU Ecolabel Criteria
Commission Decision for each product/service group
User manual for applicants and Ecolabel awarding authorities (competent bodies)
Ecolabel Criteria per product group
Selecting product groups for the EU Ecolabel scheme
• 1. The product groups are decided by the EU Ecolabelling experts Board (EUEB) that consists by Member States representatives, and stakeholders (e.g. NGOs and industry).
• 2. A new product group can be proposed to EUEB by any of its member or by any manufacturer.
• 3. The EUEB before deciding about anew product group receives technicaladvice by the Strategic Task Force ofthe EU Ecolabel uptake.
• This advice is about the productenvironmental relevance, market dataand sector trends etc.
• 4. A decision element is if the new product group exists in national labelling schemes.
EU Ecolabel criteria development processby the Joint Research Centre and DG Environment
Principle of Ecolabel Regulation:Criteria are based on scientific and technical evidence
o Life Cycle perspective
• Identification of hot spots as a focus for improvement
• Technical and product-oriented analysis (e.g. presence of hazardous substances)
o Environmental improvements in the sector
• Targeted analysis of environmental hot spots and eco-innovations
• Best Available Techniques, product performance, testing and standards
o Complementary elements:o Market research
• EU market statistics
• Target the indicative 10-20% selectivity at product, material, technological level
o Stakeholder interactions
• Working groups, Questionnaires and surveys
Life Cycle perspective
Challenges in Ecolabels (1/2)
EU Ecolabel criteria strive a careful balance between competing factors:
Standardized tests in acceptable cost
Is the requirement techno-economically feasible and verifiable
Synergies and coherence with other policies
added value compared with competing labels
Is the market ready? What does the consumer want?
Legislative and political context?
Market positioning and consumer perception
Reach out to consumer Ecolabel marketing and consumer trust
Product and sector related:
Ecolabel Strategy:
EU Ecolabel takes a life cycle perspective....but supply chains are complex and
often requirements are "pushed back" ....to material suppliers or production sites.
Some examples: Criterion on pesticide use in cotton for textilesCriterion on TiO2 production in paintsCriterion on sourcing conflict free minerals for computers
Products have a complex supply chain and production sites are in different countries
International level cooperation is needed
Challenges in Ecolabels (2/2)
Ecolabel criteria shall drive the market to environmental excellence
Key success factors (1/2)
Reward best practises of manufacturers (consult industry
partners and analyse environmental reporting of frontrunners)
Sound scientific basis with criteria that target the key environmental impacts
Address consumer interests (e.g. organic market, sustainable production, limit the use of allergenic and sensitising substances, address social aspects at work etc)
Builds confidence with all stakeholders
Builds confidence with manufacturers
Builds confidence with consumers and a better marketing for Ecolabel
Ecolabel criteria shall drive the market to environmental excellence
Key success factors (2/2)
Policy coherence and synergies (e.g. Ecolabelled products meet GPP criteria, use EU chemicals legislation)
Use of standards and synergies with other certification schemes (e.g. organic label, energy star etc)
Direct and indirect benefits for producers in the long term
Testing is standardised and verification easy
EU Ecolabel synergies with EU product policies
EnergyLabel
EU Ecolabel products meet the EU GPP requirements
EU Ecolabel products are energy efficient
EU Ecolabel products are frontrunners that should meet futureEcodesign requirements
Ecodesign
EU Ecolabel and Circular Economy
"The EU Ecolabel promotesEurope's transition to acircular economy, bothsustainable production andconsumption. Thanks totransparent ecologicalcriteria, consumers can makeconscious choices, withoutcompromising on the qualityof the products."
Commissioner for Environment,Maritime Affairs and FisheriesKarmenu Vella
The role of EU Ecolabel towards the transition to …. a Circular Economy
Circular Economy is a priority policy for EC
Press releases & articles
Circular economy narrative
Communication and Marketing
Webinars & Workshops
1st webinar on EU Ecolabel for Computers(Jan. 2016)
Next Workshop onEU Ecolabel for footwear and furniture
Conferences & events
EU Ecolabel monitoring figures
• 32 product groups
• about 2,000 licences
• More than 38,760 products and services awarded across EU
Data as of September 2016
EU Ecolabel update 2016
more statisticshere:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/facts-and-figures.html
and via:[email protected]
10 revised Ecolabel criteria:
Footwear
Personal, Notebook and Tablet Computers
Furniture
Wood, cork, bamboo based floor Coverings
Tourist Accommodation and Campsite Services
Detergents family (5 product groups)
EU Ecolabel achievements from 2016
• Competent Bodies are independent and impartial organisations designated by the European Member States responsible for awarding the EU Ecolabel to products that meet the criteria.
• The Competent Bodies meet three times a year at the Competent Body Forum to exchange experiences and ensure a consistent implementation of the scheme in different countries.
• The Competent Body is available to give advice on questions about EU Ecolabel applications.
Who awards the EU Ecolabel?
Who does research for the EU Ecolabel?Joint Research Centre is the European Commission scientific in-house service and develops the EU Ecolabel criteria
• http://susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/product_bureau/projects.html
How to apply for the EU Ecolabel?
Select and contact the Competent Body of the country in which the product is marketed.
Information on how to apply for the EU Ecolabel:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/how-to-apply-for-eu-ecolabel.html
Ecolabel Helpdesk: [email protected]
Procurement Reform – Labels
Under the 2004 directive:
• Labels could be used as a means of proof, making it easierfor suppliers to prove they have a green product and for procurers to verify this
• Possibility to provide equivalent means of proof (e.g. technical reports)
• Authorities needed to clearly set out the individualrequirements underlying the Ecolabel
Procurement Reform – Labels
Under the 2014 directive:
• Authorities can require a specific label as means of proof provided the label's requirements (criteria) are
• linked to the subject matter
• objectively verifiable and non-discriminatory
• adopted in an open and transparent procedure
• set by a third party (independent of the company) and
• the label must be accessible to all interested parties.
• Equivalent labels must be accepted
• Possibility to provide equivalent means of proof under certain conditions, more difficult than in the past
EU GPP and the EU Ecolabel
Close cooperation in DG Environment
Criteria for both tools are developed in parallel whenever relevant (e.g. IT Equipment, Furniture, Textiles)
EU GPP criteria usually a simplified version of Ecolabel criteria
Ecolabel products are meeting technical specifications of EU GPP criteria
Questions? Please contact:
•GPP webpage: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
• Contact: [email protected]
• Website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm