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Public authorities in the EU spend the equivalent
of 16% of the EU gross domestic product on goods
and services. The European Commission now wants
to use this purchase power to help encourage demand
for environmentally friendly products and services.
A communication on Green Public Procurement outlines
how public authorities should use their purchasing
power to encourage sustainable production and
consumption. These plans set out minimum specifications
known as "core" Green Public Procurement
criteria, which suppliers will have to comply
with. Authorities will also be able to go further
to support environmental and animal welfare related
innovation goals.
Criteria have been chosen for products and services
in 10 priority sectors, such as food and catering
services as well as cleaning products and services.
For food and catering, the minimum criteria specify
that a given percentage of products such as diary,
meat and vegetables will need to be organically
produced. Companies will also need to prove that
their products have been certified as organically
produced. The optional criteria include higher
standards for animal welfare, integrated production
processes , and the absence of GMOs.
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