In its recent resolution on 'New developments in public procurement', the European Parliament is advocating for more support for Fair Trade in Public Procurement. The European Parliament is renewing its call for the European Commission to act on this issue.

The European Parliament (EP) has already highlighted the need to encourage public authorities to use Fair Trade criteria when tendering or purchasing. This is part of the EP resolution on Fair Trade and Development of 6 June 2006 defining criteria to achieve the Fair Trade label. The European Commission (EC) itself has recognised this Fair Trade definition in a 2009 Communication.

Indeed, Fair Trade procurement is widely supported through the European Union institutions. This has been proved recently by the adoption of the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on 11 February 2010 calling for a common European Fair Trade strategy for local and regional authorities.

The EP is urging the EC to issue a recommendation on Fair Trade and particularly to produce constructive guidelines for Fair Trade procurement. The EC is currently working on a draft guide on “Buying social: a guide to taking account of social considerations in public procurement”, expected by June 2010.

For more information, have a look at the text adopted by the European Parliament on 'New developments in public procurement' (18 May 2010).