To support the introduction and use of GPP the European Commission published a handbook on environmental public procurement: Buying Green! – A Handbook on environmental public procurement
This handbook
has been established by the European Commission services
explains in concrete terms how environmental considerations can be integrated into public procurement procedures
clarifies the legal possibilities, as introduced and/or clarified by the 2004 Procurement Directives (2004/18/EC and 2004/17/EC), of integrating environmental considerations in a tender’s technical specifications, selection and award criteria and contract performance clauses
takes into account jurisprudence of the Court of Justice in this area
includes concrete examples of environmental tendering by public authorities in Europe
is a strong promotional tool and primarily aimed at contracting authorities at all administrative levels
is of particular use to local authorities, which may lack good legal and environmental advice