The International Procurement Post: Summer 2025
Written By
Partner
Denmark
I am a partner and head of our international Public Procurement group in Denmark. Besides being one of Denmark's leading public procurement law specialists, I am co-head of our Copenhagen office and our international Public Procurement group.
Partner
UK
I am a London-based partner in our Commercial practice, focusing on public sector and utilities procurement, particularly in infrastructure. I have worked extensively with all manner of Government and regulated bodies both nationally and internationally.
We are pleased to share the Summer edition of our quarterly newsletter on the key international Public Projects and Procurement Law developments.
Brought to you by the International Public Projects and Procurement Group at Bird & Bird.
In Focus
Draft of the Public Procurement Acceleration Act: New rules for national and international companies in Germany
On 6 August 2025, the Federal Government passed the Public Procurement Acceleration Act (draft law and synopsis) and introduced it into the parliamentary process, in which the Bundestag and Bundesrat still have to pass the law before it can come into force. This reform will fundamentally change German public procurement law and will have a significant impact on both national and international companies:
For more information contact Guido Bormann and Johannes Woltering.
Updates from our jurisdictions
Netherlands
Preparedness at any price? ACM warns against defence procurement shortcuts
How much flexibility should a government have in preparing its armed forces and at what cost for legal certainty? That question is at the heart of the Dutch Defence Preparedness Act (Wet op de Defensiegereedheid).
For more information contact Janneke Kohlen.
United Kingdom
UK Procurement Act Plot Twist: Part 2 Is Here – and It’s Focused on Growing British Industry, Jobs and Skills
Just when you thought the Procurement Act 2023 had wrapped its final scene with its commencement on 24 February 2025, the UK Government has released a surprise sequel: Part 2.
Titled “Public Procurement: Growing British Industry, Jobs and Skills – Consultation on Further Reforms”, the consultation sets out proposals aimed at strengthening economic resilience and better leveraging the UK’s £385 billion annual public procurement spend.
Read the full story
For more information contact Andrew Dean and Elliot Levy.
Belgium
Key Developments in the SAFE Regulation: Implementation Progress and Challenges
Since entering into force in late May 2025, the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) Regulation, a €150 billion defence loan program, has rapidly transitioned from a legislative proposal to operational framework, marked by several significant developments.
Read the full story
For more information contact Kevin Munungu Lungungu.
Denmark
Procurement Law Development in Denmark: from competitive procedure with negotiation to sustainability criteria
Two recent rulings from the Danish Complaints Board for Public Procurement mark significant developments in procurement law in Denmark that are relevant to public procurers across the EU. One case concerns the use of negotiated procedure with prior publication, while the other concerns the use of sustainability contract award criteria.
Read the full story
For more information contact Tina Johansen and Charlotte Alexa.
