In 2014, three new European Union (EU) Directives governing the way EU Member States purchase goods, works and services came into force. The breadth and depth of social and human rights related provisions now available under EU public procurement rules have been dramatically strengthened in these new EU Directives, inviting much more active use by Member States’ purchasing authorities.

This Occasional Paper has been produced to assist EU Member States in understanding the range of opportunities, but also limitations, under the new Directives to integrating human rights considerations into their national rules and practices on public procurement. The Paper also serves as a tool for those interested in understanding the rules that shape EU public procurement, in order to assist engagement and advocacy efforts at local level.