What is
social procurement
Also known as: socially responsible public procurement, SRPP
Social procurement is when public buyers use their purchasing power to achieve positive social outcomes beyond the immediate goods or services being acquired. This includes promoting decent working conditions, supporting the inclusion of disadvantaged groups in the workforce, safeguarding human rights in supply chains, and combating labour exploitation.
How does social procurement work?
The EU's Directive 2014/24/EU provides the legal framework for integrating social considerations into public procurement. Article 18(2) — the "horizontal social clause" — requires that economic operators comply with applicable social and labour law obligations when performing public contracts. Social criteria can be applied at every stage of the procurement process, from the requirements specification to the award criteria and contract performance conditions.
For example, a contracting authority purchasing cleaning services can require that the supplier ensures fair wages, limits the number of subcontractor layers, and provides training opportunities for workers. These requirements must be linked to the subject matter of the contract.
Key elements of social procurement
The European Commission's "Buying Social" guide outlines several ways public buyers can incorporate social goals:
- Employment opportunities for people far from the labour market
- Fair wages and decent working conditions in line with applicable collective agreements
- Human rights due diligence throughout the supply chain
- Reserved contracts for social enterprises or organisations employing people with disabilities (Articles 20 and 77)
Tools like Cobrief can help suppliers identify tenders with social requirements and prepare competitive bids that meet these criteria.
Summary
Social procurement is a strategic tool that enables public buyers to promote social sustainability through their purchasing decisions. With a strong legal basis in the EU procurement directives and growing emphasis on compliance and contract follow-up, social considerations are becoming an increasingly important part of public procurement across the EEA.