Smart Circular Procurement
Public procurement accounts for a large proportion of European consumption (nearly 20% of EU GDP). Public procurement has a major role to play in the transition towards a Circular Economy. It is important and efficient to  make the right choices early on in the product creation process, so that materials and components are suitable, at end-of-life, for repair or refurbishment and re-use, thus helping to close the materials loop.

Project CircPro aims to promote the transition to a more Circular Economy related national and regional decision making by increasing the implementation of the Circular Procurement. There is no official definition yet, but "Circular Public Procurement in the Nordic Countries" (CIPRON) study suggests that Circular Procurement (CP) is a procurement of competitively priced products, services or systems that satisfy the customer needs and lead to extended lifespan, value retention and/or remarkably improved and non-risky cycling of biological or technical materials, compared to other solutions for a similar purpose in the market. CP as a process is expected to provide conditions and criteria that would stimulate energy and material savings and closed material loops, and spread innovative solutions and create markets for clean solutions.

The main existing barriers regarding implementation of the CP identified by the partnership are: general lack of knowledge and expertise; procedural and legal barriers; and procurers´ preconceptions about using products which are made of recycled materials, as well as lack of them.

12 partners from 10 EU regions and Norway will tackle these challenges by:

- identifying pilots and initiatives, main actors, organisations and networks that could promote the implementation of CP;
- identifying main legal and procedural challenges 
- providing a meeting place and enhancing a dialogue between procurers and suppliers (both groups are represented in the partnership and stakeholders´groups).