Worldwide: Government Contracts, Procurement & PPP

The European Commission has proposed replacing the EU's three core procurement directives with a single, directly applicable Regulation that would fundamentally reshape how companies compete for public contracts across Member States. The reform introduces mandatory quality criteria thresholds, embeds ESG considerations as evaluation factors, and establishes new security and European-preference provisions that could restrict participation based on ownership, supply chain exposure, and strategic dependencies.

The Flemish government has adopted a comprehensive reform of its Arms Trade Decree, introducing a risk-based licensing system that differentiates between low-risk and high-risk jurisdictions while expanding exemptions for NATO and EEA countries. The new framework, set to enter force in December 2027, aims to balance facilitating legitimate defense trade with maintaining effective export controls, while aligning more closely with European regulations and reducing administrative burdens for companies.

The Spanish Supreme Court has annulled the Single Rental Registry procedure established by Royal Decree 1312/2024, ruling that it infringes upon regional competences in housing and tourism matters.