Sustainable public procurement attracted a large audience
On 10 October 2025, experts, decision-makers, and procurers from across Europe gathered for a live webinar, “Why should public procurers choose EU Ecolabel?”, to discuss how the EU Ecolabel can strengthen sustainable public procurement. Broadcast from Brussels, the event attracted more than 600 participants from 60 countries and highlighted how the EU's ecolabel can help achieve the Union's environmental goals through smarter purchasing.
Nordic Ecolabelling Sweden, which is responsible for both the EU Ecolabel and the Nordic Swan Ecolabel in Sweden, played a central role in the webinar. Anna Norberg, Head of Press and PR, opened the broadcast with a welcome from the studio in Brussels and emphasised the importance of the public sector using its purchasing power – equivalent to 14% of the EU's GDP – to drive sustainable development.
The webinar was divided into three parts:
Policy Pulse – EU environmental policy and its impact on sustainable procurement. The latest updates from the revision of procurement legislation.
Procurement in Action – concrete examples from public authorities successfully using the EU Ecolabel.
From Criteria to Action – practical tools and tips for integrating ecolabelling into procurement processes.
The Green Public Procurement Gap
The webinar highlighted a central issue: the so-called green public procurement gap. This refers to the situation where policy sets strict regulations and ambitious environmental goals that progressive companies strive to meet, while public procurement often imposes lower requirements on the goods and services being purchased – partly due to unclear legislation. The result is a gap between companies’ environmental performance and the products that are actually procured.
– If public procurement is to contribute to achieving environmental and climate goals and be part of the green transition, this gap must be reduced. Legislation needs to become even clearer, said Anna Linusson, CEO of Ecolabelling Sweden, who participated as a speaker.
In her presentation during the webinar, Anna Linusson emphasised that there are no legal obstacles to using official Type I ecolabels such as the EU Ecolabel and the Nordic Swan Ecolabel in procurement. She encouraged their use as a means of setting requirements – in line with EU directives – to promote credible environmental choices.
– By using ecolabels to set requirements, the public sector saves both time and money. And the companies developing more environmentally sustainable products must be rewarded in procurement and be able to profit from it, Linusson stressed.
The webinar featured interactive elements such as live polls and opportunities to ask questions, fostering engagement and dialogue between participants and experts.
The live broadcast concluded with a call for collaboration: to spread knowledge, dispel myths, and close the gap together.
