Revised procurement law (BöB/VöB) comes into force in 2021

The Federal Act and Ordinance on Public Procurement (BöB/VöB) will enter into force on 1 January 2021. The revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA 2012) will also be implemented, according to the Federal Council. The current heterogeneous legal situation has led to legal uncertainties and costly procedures, the statement says.

More sustainability and quality competition

The referendum period for the revised BoA expired unused. Apart from the implementation of the GPA 2012 in national legislation, the main objective of the revision was to harmonise the procurement regulations of the Confederation and the cantons as far as possible. This was demanded by representatives of the business community.

With the clear commitment to the federal bill, the Federal Assembly also approved the joint project of the Confederation and the cantons. Now that the cantons have also unanimously approved the IVöB at the special plenary meeting on 15 November 2019, the focus is on implementation. In doing so, great emphasis will be placed on cooperation and coordination with the other federal levels in order to continue the harmonisation efforts, also with regard to enforcement. Harmonised procurement regulations throughout Switzerland will increase legal certainty and user-friendliness, which will benefit companies, especially SMEs. In addition, the implementation of the paradigm shift in public procurement towards more sustainability and quality competition as defined by the Federal Parliament is of great importance.

Public procurement law governs a significant segment of the Swiss economy. In 2018, the central federal administration alone procured construction work, goods and services worth CHF 5.55 billion. The revised WTO agreement expands market access potential by around USD 80 to 100 billion per year.

More information about the revision of the procurement law from 2021 onwards