The European Union is preparing significant reforms to its public procurement framework that would allow greater preference for European suppliers in major public contracts, as part of wider efforts to strengthen economic resilience and strategic supply chains. Details of the draft proposals were outlined by the Irish Independent.

The proposed reforms form part of the EU's wider "Made in Europe" strategy, which seeks to enhance economic sovereignty by encouraging greater use of European suppliers across critical infrastructure and public sector projects.

Under the draft proposals, European preference rules could apply to sectors including gas supply, energy extraction, water and electricity networks, railways, ports, airports and postal services. Public buyers could also be permitted to reject bids where more than half of a tender's value originates from outside Europe.

The European Commission is also proposing measures that would enable public authorities to introduce European preference requirements through supplier eligibility criteria, minimum European content thresholds or evaluation preferences when awarding contracts.

According to the draft proposals, the reforms are intended to simplify public procurement while ensuring public spending better supports the European Union's long-term strategic objectives.

The proposals come as the EU seeks to strengthen procurement management across its estimated €2.6 trillion public procurement market, responding to increasing global competition while reducing dependencies within critical supply chains.

In addition to sectors identified for European preference, the draft highlights areas including transport, healthcare, digital infrastructure, water services and financial market infrastructure as industries where supply chain resilience and security considerations are becoming increasingly important.

The proposals also recognise existing international procurement agreements. Suppliers from countries that participate in the World Trade Organisation's Government Procurement Agreement, including the United Kingdom and the United States, or those covered by relevant EU trade agreements, would continue to have access under established arrangements.

If adopted, the reforms could influence public procurement practices across all EU member states, including Ireland, supporting more strategic sourcing decisions while reinforcing procurement resilience across essential infrastructure and public services.