The IMCO Committee is currently considering the Commission's proposal on electronic invoicing ('e-invoicing') in public procurement. This complements the package for the modernisation of the EU public procurement rules, adopted by IMCO and scheduled for a vote in plenary in January 2014. Public procurement is the process used by government institutions, public sector organisations and certain undertakings in the utilities sectors to buy supplies, services and public works. Such expenditure is a significant and influential component of the economy.
The procurement package strengthens the rules for electronic procurement, making its use mandatory at the latest 54 months after the entry into force of the revised instruments. Moving towards more efficient paperless procedures is expected to yield great benefits. However, the package does not cover the 'post-award' stage of invoicing, because it is not procurement-specific. The present initiative seeks to fill this gap, as e-invoicing in particular is expected to generate tangible financial savings for government and suppliers, and to promote digital business transactions throughout the EU. At the same time, great care needs to be taken to ensure there are no interoperability barriers to cross-border trade.
The European Commission presented its proposal and the Impact Assessment to the IMCO Members on 30 September 2013. The first exchange of views has taken place on 4 November 2013. The consideration of amendments is expected in December 2013.
Rapporteur: Birgit Collin-Langen (EPP)
Shadow rapporteurs: Marc Tarabella (S&D), Jürgen Creutzmann (ALDE), Heide Rühle (Greens), Malcolm Harbour (ECR), - (GUE), Matteo Salvini (EFD)
Source : © European Union, 2013 - EP