Estonia

1. Policy

The Estonian Public Procurement Act includes the following RBC objectives – additional frameworks apply, depending on the RBC objective:

Environment

Labour rights

People with disabilities

Long-term unemployed people

Integrity

This aspect is also covered by the Estonian Penal Code, tax legislation and the Anti-Corruption Act.

2. Implementation

Tender phase

• Contracting authorities may exclude suppliers that have violated environmental, integrity, social or labour law duties from public procurement procedures.

• Additional rules may apply to public works contracts or concessions where the estimated value is equal to or exceeds the public procurement threshold. In this case, contracting authorities are required to consult the contractor regarding the most suitable tender.

Contractors may be required to provide certificates to evidence:

• the average salary paid by the tenderer; and

• the average salary of each subcontractor specified in the tender; and the average salary during the six calendar months preceding the start of the public procurement in the field corresponding to the subject matter of the public works contract. Documentation must also make reference to the country where the tenderer and the subcontractor are established.

3. Good Practices

• The Estonian government has a website that includes general guidelines for green procurement. Some of the guidelines include advice on the different eco-labels available for goods and services, or examples of award criteria that are adequate to procure construction, IT devices, office supplies, cleaning services.