Recent developments highlight the continued and expanding use of arbitrary and non-legislated ISO certification requirements in public procurement processes by local authorities in Greece. This practice, which has already been identified in tenders issued by the municipalities of Agrinio and Serres, now appears in a new tender published by the Municipality of Pavlos Melas in Thessaloniki, as approved by Decision No. 348/2025.
The tender, which pertains to a fuel management project, imposes the mandatory possession of ISO 22301, ISO 50001, and ISO 39001 certifications. These certifications are neither required by current legislation nor recognized as valid indicators of technical adequacy for the type of work in question. As a result, many local small and medium-sized contracting firms are effectively excluded from participation.
According to the Association of Public Works Contractors of Thessaloniki and Central Macedonia (SPEDETH), the exclusionary nature of these terms is further exacerbated by the limited invitation to submit bids, which was reportedly extended only to three companies, all based in the Attica region. This occurred despite the presence of equally qualified and experienced firms in Thessaloniki and across Northern Greece, who also possess the logistical advantages of proximity to the project site.
The Panhellenic Association of Public Works Contractors (PESEDE) warns that the issue is systemic. The use of tender specifications as tools to limit competition and indirectly exclude entire groups of contractors undermines key principles of public procurement, including equal treatment, proportionality, and transparency, as enshrined in both national and EU law. Furthermore, such practices damage the local economy, erode trust in public administration, and create serious concerns regarding fairness and favoritism.
PESEDE underscores that this is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend. The Association calls for:
- Immediate revision of problematic tender specifications by the relevant contracting authorities.
- Issuance of a binding circular that prohibits the inclusion of non-legislated or unsubstantiated eligibility requirements.
- Strengthened oversight by the Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority (EAADISY) and the Court of Audit to ensure the legality and fairness of tender procedures and bidder selection.
These issues strike at the core of public sector integrity and fair market access. Addressing them is essential for upholding the credibility of the public procurement system, supporting healthy competition in the construction sector, and ensuring equitable access for local businesses.
