The European Commission has published its proposal for a new Public Procurement Act (PPA), aiming to simplify and modernise public procurement rules across the European Union. Published on 9 September 2026, the proposed Regulation would replace the three existing procurement Directives with a single, directly applicable framework for all EU Member States.
Public procurement represents around 15% of EU GDP and is particularly important for construction and automotive markets. For the flat glass sector, several provisions could influence demand for architectural and automotive glazing.
One of the most significant changes is the proposed shift towards the best price-quality ratio. Quality criteria, including technical merit and environmental performance, would account for at least 30% of award points. This could favour high-performance glazing solutions whose benefits extend beyond initial cost through energy efficiency, durability and long-term performance.
The proposal would also allow public buyers, under certain conditions, to restrict tenders to EU operators and favour EU-origin content. Its impact on flat glass will depend partly on the parallel Industrial Accelerator Act. 
Environmental requirements could also become more prominent through voluntary Green Public Procurement, while existing EU performance classes and standards would be referenced in tenders. For flat glass, this approach could help maintain consistency and support the functioning of the EU single market.
Source: Glass for Europe with additional information added by Glass Balkan
