Position on the revision of the EU Public Procurement Directive

FoodServiceEurope strongly welcomes the revision of the EU Public Procurement Directive 2014/24. Contract catering encompasses food and ancillary services provided to people working or living in communities – private and public undertakings, schools, universities, hospitals, retirement homes and prisons – under the terms of a contract with the client communities. It is a unique part of the food system and differs significantly from other forms of food service, as services are provided on the premises of the contracting party, which awards contracts through procurement tenders.

We believe that the revision is an opportunity for EU policymakers to build a better, more resilient and more sustainable European society. Accounting for 14% of the EU's GDP, public procurement is crucial for realizing the strategic goals of the EU. The revised framework should lead to better rules that help the contract catering sector perform its essential and social function, as recognised during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis.