To help public buyers, the European Commission developed two new practical guides for the use of the EU Ecolabel in the procurement of tissue paper and tissue products and graphic paper. These practical guides help procurers to draw up technical specifications and award criteria based on EU Ecolabel criteria in calls for green public procurement. The EU Ecolabel is the EU voluntary label for environmental excellence that can help public buyers identify products and services with a reduced environmental impact throughout their lifecycle.

The municipality aimed to set a precedent for environmentally responsible public procurement, contributing to local and EU climate targets. The City of Tallinn sought a contractor for the design and construction of a new building complex that would embody circular economy principles from the ground up. The project was required to comply with the Unified BIM Requirements (ÜBN), a national BIM standard developed to ensure consistent digital construction practices across Estonia.

The next EU GPP Helpdesk webinar will take place on Wednesday 11 June 2025, 10:00 - 11:30 (CEST). This event will address the topic of Reserved contracts and sustainable public procurement. The webinar will explore how reserved contracts can help public buyers achieve their social objectives. It will also provide concrete examples and tips on how contracting authorities can use reserved contracts to implement their SRPP strategies and plans. Registrations are open!

The Circular and Fair ICT (CFIT) Pact commissioned a study to explore the potential introduction of mandatory Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria for ICT products within EU legislation. The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the development process for these mandatory GPP criteria, their possible effects on contracting authorities and entities and the market, and their alignment with the four main impact categories defined in the CFIT Framework.

The EU Ecolabel - a worldwide reference for green goods and services that helps public buyers reduce the environmental impact of their purchases- has reached an important milestone this year. There are now over 102,000 ecolabelled goods and services available in Europe, a growth of 5% since September 2024. This means that public buyers now have more opportunities than ever before to select businesses that are sustainable and provide environmentally friendly products.

A new report, developed in the context of the EU-funded Socially Responsible Public Procurement – Lot 2 project, provides an analytical framework for measuring the social impact of tender procedures. The report analyses a sample of public procurement contracts across the EU against a set of indicators for measuring social impact in SRPP. It also offers recommendations for how to integrate social considerations in procurement practices in the EU.

Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent) undertook a comprehensive procurement process to replace the workwear of over 4,000 staff with more sustainable and socially responsible textile alternatives. The hospital initiated an open tender procedure for a structured, five-phase competitive negotiation procedure for a framework agreement for the design and provision of new workwear. The process prioritised environmental impact, worker rights, and staff comfort over price. The winning supplier provided uniforms made from Tecawork™ Ecogreen, a fabric blend made of recycled polyester and lyocell, significantly reducing water use, CO₂ emissions, and plastic waste.

When it comes to our impact and dependencies on biodiversity, business as usual is no longer acceptable nor desirable. The Biodiversity Basics webinars will get your business up to speed with the fundamentals of the business world’s relationship with biodiversity and everything you need to know to start building a nature positive future. Join us on June 10th from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST to understand how the latest trends and regulatory requirements in this space can be used as a positive driving force for your business!

Understand the potential for nature-positive transformation in the food retail sector with our latest report. This unique study delves into the lesser explored downstream food supply chain, identifying key impacts and dependencies on nature and biodiversity. It offers actionable insights and opportunities related to waste management and influencing consumer behaviour. Read the report to find out more!

The EU Business & Biodiversity Platform, in collaboration with partners, published the Seventh Update of the Overview of initiatives for financial institutions on biodiversity. This overview covers 19 initiatives and underscores the ongoing dedication of the financial sector to contribute to global biodiversity goals. Explore the updated report for insights into key initiatives shaping the landscape and identify opportunities for strategic collaboration.

The Finance and Biodiversity Community, under the EU B&B Platform, explored collaborative finance opportunities relating to the EU Nature Restoration Regulation recently in two meetings. Read on for the key updates from these meetings.

The Platform’s work on corporate biodiversity measurement through the Methods workstream has made significant progress in recent years, delivering reports and guidance documents that enable businesses to learn about and adopt biodiversity measurement practices. This year, the Platform aims to take things one step further, by focusing on marine seascapes, an area that has lagged behind when it comes to corporate biodiversity measurement. Participate in our workshop in June if this topic is of interest to you!

The Commission on May 22 adopted the Implementing Act on the country benchmarking system under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

Additional dates for virtual training sessions on the EUDR Information System are now available on our webpage

New JRC reports on Global Forest Cover map for the year 2020

As well as the main event in Brussels, some 300 EU Green Week partner events are taking place throughout June across the continent. Take a look now to see if any catch your eye!

The latest working plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Energy Labelling Regulation was adopted this month to help foster more sustainable products. Find out more below.

Companies participating in the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme are already well prepared to implement some of the new mandatory IED requirements. Find out more below.

Euronews' latest episode of 'The Road to Green' takes a closer look at industrial emissions and how the EU is bringing them down across the continent. Watch now.

Last week, the Commission presented a proposal on how to integrate the landmark Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement into EU law. Discover more below.