Under eu public procurement rules contracting authorities may take multiple aspects into account when purchasing works goods or services examples include protecting the environment supporting social considerations and fostering innovation however 55 of procurement procedures use lowest price as the only award criterion for public contracts. Public procurement refers to the process by which public authorities such as government departments or local authorities purchase work goods or services from companies to create a level playing field for all businesses across europe eu law sets out minimum harmonised public procurement rules more information on european public procurement. Overview of rules and guidelines on public procurement in the eu and direct access to tender notices and business opportunities. Government procurement or public procurement is undertaken by the public authorities of the european union eu and its member states in order to award contracts for public works and for the purchase of goods and services in accordance with the principles underlying the treaties of the european unionpublic procurement represents 135 of eu gdp as of 2007 and has been the subject of