The professionalisation of public procurement officers is entering a decisive phase at European level. Following EUPPM Network’s institutional mission in October 2025, during which the Association formally called on the European Commission to introduce a specific provision dedicated to public procurement officers within the reform of public procurement legislation, and the presentation to the European Parliament in May 2026 of the comparative report covering 32 countries, the issue has become a permanent part of the European Union’s legislative agenda.
The preliminary text of the new European Regulation on public procurement, which the Commission is expected to present to Parliament in September, includes a provision recognising professionalisation as a strategic pillar of public governance. This represents a major cultural and institutional shift, fully reflecting the proposals promoted by EUPPM Network over recent years.
What the European provision on professionalisation includes
The draft article introduces five key elements:
1. Professionalisation as a strategic function.
Member States will be required to adopt appropriate measures to support the professionalisation of public procurement, recognising it as a structural component of good administration. This will require investment in skills, organisation and human resources.
2. Establishment of national competence centres.
Each Member State will be required to designate at least one competence centre for public procurement, providing guidance, advice and support to public buyers.
3. An active role for the European Commission.
The Commission will support Member States by promoting cooperation among competence centres, knowledge sharing, the use of capacity-building tools and the development of additional measures.
4. Involvement of the entire procurement ecosystem.
Professionalisation measures will also need to involve economic operators, particularly SMEs, as well as audit and supervisory authorities, recognising that the quality of public procurement depends on a competent and integrated supply chain.
5. Monitoring of skills and capabilities.
Member States will be required to monitor the development of professional capacities and periodically assess the effectiveness of the measures adopted.
Network’s role: from proposal to European provision
This provision has not emerged in isolation. It is the result of a process in which EUPPM Network has maintained a constant dialogue with the European institutions, presenting evidence, comparative data and concrete proposals.
The 2025 institutional mission to the European Commission, the scientific work behind the European comparative report and its presentation to the European Parliament in 2026 have made a significant contribution to highlighting the need for a clear, binding provision focused on the professional development of public procurement officers.
Towards Naples: where Europe will discuss the future of public procurement officers
The process does not end here. From 15 to 17 October, Naples will host the European Conference on the Professionalisation of Public Procurement Officers, bringing together institutions, competence centres, international experts and representatives of the 32 countries involved in the comparative report.
The conference will provide the European public procurement community with an opportunity to discuss the draft Regulation directly, propose improvements and contribute to the preparation of the position paper that will support the European Parliament during the final stage of the legislative process.
An open process for further improvement
The text is not yet final and may be further strengthened during the legislative process. EUPPM Network will continue to work to ensure that professionalisation is supported by practical tools, adequate funding, shared European standards and formal recognition of public procurement officers as professionals in public governance.
The direction is now clear: Europe has recognised that high-quality public spending cannot exist without professional expertise.
EUPPM Network will continue to lead this process, starting with the Naples Conference on 15 October.