Tenders
A guarantee for procurement
Accreditation ensures transparency and quality in supplies, thanks to the use of technical standards and accredited conformity assessments.
Making the procurement process for products and services easier and safer is essential for public and private contracting authorities. Reference to technical standards and accredited conformity assessments is a key factor in the drafting of tenders.
The standardization of technical requirements and the possibility of using objective and independent verifications guarantee products and services’ selection based on solid and transparent criteria. Independent third-party verification carried out by Accredia on accredited subjects, or by qualified bodies and laboratories, ensures that competitors meet the regulatory requirements and satisfy technical quality and safety standards. By making the selection process more reliable, accreditation reduces risks and uncertainties for purchasers.
Procurement Code and Accreditation
The new Procurement Code recognizes accreditation as a fundamental guarantee in public procurement and Green Public Procurement (GPP).
Legislative Decree 36/2023, known as the Public Contracts Code or Procurement Code, establishes that, where the Public Administration requires a “test report or certificate” to guarantee the requirements of the products or services to be purchased, such documentation must be provided by accredited bodies, unless equivalent means of proof are available.
In addition, the Code makes the Minimum Environmental Criteria (Criteri Ambientali Minimi – CAM) mandatory according to different thresholds, assigning accredited certifications a key role as a means of proof in Green Public Procurement (GPP). This approach supports a sustainable procurement policy, favouring the use of products and services with a lower environmental impact.
Accredia tools for contracting Authorities
Accredia supports contracting Authorities through guidelines, a tender desk, and online FAQs, improving access to certifications and transparency in procurement procedures.
The integration of conformity assessments into tender notices is not without its difficulties. Critical factors, such as the complexity of technical regulations, the variety of assessment schemes, and limited awareness among contracting authorities, can lead to inappropriate choices regarding assessments, a lack of precision in regulatory references, or the adoption of alternative and unsuitable means of proof.
These circumstances can compromise the effectiveness of procurement. Furthermore, they can lead to litigation, with negative impacts for both the Public Administration and economic operators, slowing down processes and, consequently, economic growth.
To facilitate the application of technical standards and conformity assessments in calls for tenders, Accredia offers operational and informational tools that support contracting Authorities in interpreting and adopting the necessary technical requirements: guidelines, a tender desk, and online FAQs.
These tools aim to simplify access to accredited certifications and improve transparency and security in procurement procedures, thus contributing to the overall efficiency of the procurement system.
Accredia tools
Per un procurement sicuro e senza ostacoli: semplificazione, trasparenza, efficienza.