Overheidsopdrachten in een hogere circulaire versnelling

CABRIO project by Blieberg A.C.E. draws up type descriptions for use in public contracts

Public procurement represents an important share of Belgium's gross domestic product. Making circular solutions common in such contracts could therefore have a strong influence on the further transition towards a circular economy.

However, contracting authorities in Flanders (and beyond) find it difficult to integrate circular requirements and practices into their specifications. Amongst other things, they are faced with the following difficulties:
- the lack of circular example specifications and of experience with circular construction,
- the possible mixing of 'works contracts' with 'service contracts', especially when wanting to apply a product-service combination,
- the possible mixing of public contracts with public offers, e.g. when wanting to use recycled materials.

The CABRIO project (Circular Administrative Provisions and Guidelines in Public Procurement) has the ambition of drawing up "type descriptions" that public authorities can use in their "type specifications". The descriptions (in the form of paragraphs, chapters, etc. to be added) would be available for five circular ambition levels: from low-threshold (XS) to very detailed (XL).

By drawing up these type descriptions, CABRIO hopes to contribute to more authorities including circular criteria in their projects. This could be an enormous lever for the circular construction sector, as it would force a large part of the construction market to think about it.