EU procurement law: Central purchasing bodies (CPB)

Contracting authorities can achieve market clout by joint purchasing through a central purchasing body (CPB).

Allowing the use of CPBs is voluntary for each member state, but the EC (EU) Procurement Directive covers the basic points for this form of collaborative public purchasing.



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Article 11 Procurement Directive


Procurement Directive Article 11 allows central purchasing bodies (CPBs), meant to achieve economies of scale for buyers. The national legislation in each member state can make use of this opportunity.

The CPB can make either one off bulk purchases or use framework agreements for recurring needs.


If the CPB complies with Directive, the contracting authority is deemed to have complied with it:

Article 11
Public contracts and framework agreements awarded by central purchasing bodies

1. Member States may stipulate that contracting authorities may purchase works, supplies and/or services from or through a central purchasing body.

2. Contracting authorities which purchase works, supplies and/or services from or through a central purchasing body in the cases set out in Article 1(10) shall be deemed to have complied with this Directive insofar as the central purchasing body has complied with it.


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Central purchasing body explained


The Recitals of the Procurement Directive present reasons for the consolidated legislation and for novelties. Recital 15 describes the central purchasing body (CPB):

(15) Certain centralised purchasing techniques have been developed in Member States. Several contracting authorities are responsible for making acquisitions or awarding public contracts/framework agreements for other contracting authorities. In view of the large volumes purchased, those techniques help increase competition and streamline public purchasing. Provision should therefore be made for a Community definition of central purchasing bodies dedicated to contracting authorities. A definition should also be given of the conditions under which, in accordance with the principles of non-discrimination and equal treatment, contracting authorities purchasing works, supplies and/or services through a central purchasing body may be deemed to have complied with this Directive.


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Voluntary nature

The voluntary nature of central purchasing bodies is further underlined in Recital 16 of the Procurement Directive:

(16) In order to take account of the different circumstances obtaining in Member States, Member States should be allowed to choose whether contracting authorities may use framework agreements, central purchasing bodies, dynamic purchasing systems, electronic auctions or the competitive dialogue procedure, as defined and regulated by this Directive.


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Central purchasing body defined


The EC (EU) Procurement Directive 2004/18/EC, also known as the Classic Directive, defines a central purchasing body (CPB) in Article 1(10):



10. A ‘central purchasing body’ is a contracting authority which:

— acquires supplies and/or services intended for contracting authorities, or

— awards public contracts or concludes framework agreements for works, supplies or services intended for contracting authorities.


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Contracting authority described


The definition of a central purchasing body builds on the concept of a contracting authority.

You can turn to the blog post EU procurement: Contracting authority, at:

http://grahnlaw.blogspot.com/2008/12/eu-procurement-contracting-authority.html


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Guidance on central purchasing bodies




UK OGC

The United Kingdom Office of Government Commerce has published OGC Guidance on Central Purchasing Bodies (March 2008):

http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/OGC_Guidance_on_Central_Purchasing_Bodies.pdf

The updated six page brochure (pdf) gives advice to contracting authorities entering into agreements with central purchasing bodies. Basic points are covered through questions and answers, including potential compliance problems.




Ralf Grahn