SGEI AND PUBLIC PROCUREMENT : NEW GUIDES TO HELP PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.

• Position: Services of general economic interest - Brief article

Two new guides destined for public authorities have been published by the European Commission: one aimed at helping them provide high quality and efficient services of general economic interest (SGEI) and the other at taking account of social considerations in public procurement.

The first guide(1), which is an update of the document published in November 2007, aims at clarifying the EU rules applicable to the organisation and financing of services of general interest. It provides guidance as to how the member states may finance services of general interest in compliance with state aid rules, in particular by ensuring that the funding provided does not go beyond what is necessary. It answers questions raised by various stakeholders on the entrustment of services of general interest to external providers and on the calculation of the compensation due to these providers. The document also provides specific guidance on the application of...