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Belgian Competition Authority Seeks Input on Draft Guidance for Competition Rules in Public Procurement

By  |  January 6, 2026
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The Belgian Competition Authority has opened a public consultation on a draft guidance aimed at helping public buyers better understand and manage competition law risks in public procurement procedures, according to a statement released by the authority.

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    The draft guidance is designed as a practical tool for public purchasers to identify and prevent potential infringements of competition rules, with a particular focus on bid-rigging practices. Per a statement from the authority, the document addresses risks that may arise throughout the entire lifecycle of a public procurement process and proposes a set of recommended best practices to reduce those risks.

    The initiative is part of the authority’s broader efforts to raise awareness among public buyers and to strengthen cooperation with them. According to a statement, public buyers are considered first-line actors in detecting unusual behavior or patterns that could signal anticompetitive conduct. As a result, the draft guidance includes concrete recommendations covering the main stages of procurement procedures, with the aim of limiting distortions to competition.

    In addition to preventive measures, the draft also outlines steps to follow when there is a suspicion of competition law infringements. Per a statement, this includes guidance on how public buyers can engage with the Belgian Competition Authority, including the possibility of informal exchanges to clarify concerns or seek direction.

    The public consultation is intended to gather feedback from a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the guidance is both practical and comprehensive. According to a statement, the authority is seeking input to identify any gaps in the draft and to determine whether further clarification is needed on certain points before the guidance is finalized.

    The draft guidance is available on the Belgian Competition Authority’s website under the title “Draft guidance on competition rules in public procurement.” The consultation period will remain open until 28 February 2026. Contributions can be submitted by email to procurement@bma-abc.be, per a statement from the authority.

    Source: Concurrences