27th October 2026, Skopje – At its 122nd session, the Parliament adopted the Law on modifications and amendments to the Law on Public Procurement, introducing solutions aimed at modernising the public procurement system, enhancing transparency and competition, and ensuring more efficient and accountable use of public funds.
The amendments stem from the experiences gained in the implementation of the Public Procurement Law to date, the need for its adaptation to the prevailing economic circumstances, as well as from the reform priorities set out in the Reform Agenda and the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
One of the key components of the amendments is the further improvement of the E-marketplace for small-value procurement, with a view to expanding its use and promoting greater competition among economic operators. At the same time, ‘best price over quality ratio’ criterion is introduced as a mandatory criterion, ensuring that the selection of the most economically advantageous tender takes into account not only the price, but also the quality and the long-term sustainability.
The legal amendments also provide for the further digitalisation of public procurement through the expansion of the competences of the Public Procurement Bureau to use modern digital tools and AI-based solutions, with objective to ensure more effective monitoring of procurement procedures, enable the timely risk assessment, and prevent potential abuse practices. In addition, a legal foundation has been laid for setting up web services and automated data exchange with other institutions and relevant stakeholders.
To enhance transparency, a requirement is introduced to publish a Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice (VEAT) in negotiated procedures without prior publication of a contract notice, in cases prescribed by the law. This allows for greater access to information for the public and economic operators, while also streamlining certain administrative procedures.
The amendments also provide for the professionalization of public procurement staff through the introduction of a continuous professional development system, replacing the existing model of periodic recertification by re‑taking exams. As set out in the amendments, the thresholds under the Law are aligned with the prevailing economic conditions and the rising costs, and the appeal fees are revised, adhering thereby to the principle of accessible and effective review procedure.
The adopted legal amendments represent part of the broader reform efforts to modernize the public procurement system and align it with the European standards, with the end goal of ensuring greater transparency, stronger competition and more efficient public finance management for the benefit of public institutions and citizens.
