Thursday 26th February, 2015

New regulations requiring public bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to change the way they procure goods and services came into force today. The Public Contracts Regulations 2015, which was aligned with the EU Public Sector Procurement Directive was finalised last year.

Most of the provisions in the new Regulations come into effect from 26th February and apply to all new tender processes. Electronic procurement procedures will not come into force until 2018.

Public procurement law expert Jennifer Robinson of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said the reforms offer the government and other public bodies new opportunities to promote innovation through the procurement process.

The new regulations also mean modifications to contracts for necessary additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor can be made if a change in supplier is not possible for economic or technical reasons.

The EU reforms are being implemented separately in Scotland.