The European Union public procurement rules seek to ensure that public sector bodies award contracts in an open, fair and non-discriminatory manner.
Directive 2004/18/EC sets out the European requirements for public works, supplies and services contracts and is implemented in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through The Public Contracts Regulations 2006. Contracting authorities in Scotland are bound by The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
These Regulations require that contracts above set monetary thresholds are advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) according to detailed rules.
LHC Network framework arrangements have been established in strict accordance with current and past EU Directives. This means LHC Network members can use our framework arrangements in full compliance with the EU rules.
In any case, UK policy and EU Treaty requires that for all contracts –including those below the EU thresholds – the tender process must adhere to the principles of openness, fairness and non-discrimination.
In such cases, many LHC Network members choose to use our framework arrangements to ensure these principles are upheld.
