The Public Consultation and the Call for Evidence supporting the revision of the 2014 Public Procurement Directives closed on 26 January, marking an important milestone in the Commission’s ongoing review process. Conducted in parallel by the Public Procurement Unit, the two consultation streams generated an impressive level of engagement across Europe.
745 contributions were submitted under the Call for Evidence, while the Public Consultation collected 1,037 responses. These figures confirm the strong interest of stakeholders in shaping the future regulatory framework for public procurement.
Within this context, ASSORUP played an active role by submitting a national synthesis report on 23 January, gathering more than 125 contributions from Italian public buyers. The report reflects the views of a wide range of contracting authorities, public bodies, research institutions, and sectoral organisations, offering a comprehensive overview of national priorities and technical considerations.
In transmitting the report, President Daniele Ricciardi clarified the methodological approach adopted. The data were collected outside the standard questionnaire format, a choice made exclusively to maximise participation and allow organisations with different internal capacities and levels of digital readiness to provide substantive input. This approach, while unconventional, enabled broad engagement and ensured that the Italian position would be both rich and inclusive.
ASSORUP also informed the Commission that work on the comparative report on the professionalisation of public buyers in Europe is progressing steadily. Contributions have already been received from over 10 European countries, and the analysis is advancing in preparation for the European Conference scheduled for 15 October in Naples (Italy). This event will provide a valuable platform for discussion, bringing together academics, institutional representatives, public buyers, and economic operators to reflect on the implications of the forthcoming directive and the evolving needs of the procurement profession.