In this working paper, Haitham examine the integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Circularity Assessment (CA) into public procurement processes within the European Union (EU). The paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state of LCA and CA in EU public procurement, based on a systematic literature review. The authors explore the evolution of public procurement in the EU, the current legal and policy framework, the principles and methodologies of LCA and CA, and the practical application of these tools in procurement processes. The paper identifies key opportunities and challenges associated with the integration of LCA and CA, and provides recommendations for policymakers, procurement practitioners, and researchers to support the effective implementation of these tools in public procurement. The authors emphasize the crucial role of public procurement in driving the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy in the EU.

Public procurement is a powerful tool for driving sustainability and circularity in the European Union (EU), given its significant economic impact. The integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Circularity Assessment (CA) into public procurement processes offers a promising approach to support the EU’s sustainability and circular economy goals. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current state of LCA and CA in EU public procurement, based on a systematic literature review. The review covers the evolution of public procurement in the EU, the current legal and policy framework, the principles and methodologies of LCA and CA, and the practical application of these tools in procurement processes. The paper identifies key opportunities and challenges associated with the integration of LCA and CA, including the complexity of the methods, data availability and quality issues, and the need to balance sustainability with other procurement principles. The review also highlights best practices and innovative approaches from various EU member states and public entities. Based on the findings, the paper provides recommendations for policymakers, procurement practitioners, and researchers to support the effective implementation of LCA and CA in public procurement. These recommendations include the development of simplified tools and standardized methodologies, capacity building and training, and the promotion of collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. The paper concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of public procurement in driving the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy in the EU and the importance of continued research and innovation in this field.

Keywords: public procurement, life cycle assessment, circularity assessment, sustainability, circular economy, European Union