EIB Guide to Procurement

The EIB Guide to Procurement is the European Investment Bank's authoritative reference document that defines the procurement standards borrowers must apply when purchasing goods, works, and services under EIB-financed projects, ensuring that spending meets EU principles of transparency, competition, and non-discrimination.

What is the EIB Guide to Procurement?

The Guide sets out the rules the eib expects its borrowers to follow when procuring. Unlike the World Bank, which has its own self-contained procurement regulations, the EIB's approach is anchored in EU procurement law. Where a borrower is an EU public authority, they are already bound by EU directives and the Guide confirms that compliance with those directives satisfies EIB requirements. For non-EU borrowers, the Guide explains which standards are acceptable equivalents.

The Guide covers procurement methods, advertising requirements, evaluation criteria, tender document standards, and the circumstances under which the EIB may object to a procurement decision. Notices for above-threshold contracts must typically be published in TED (using cpv codes), and the Guide specifies the documentation the borrower must retain and provide to the EIB on request. Suppliers competing for eib-global contracts in non-EU countries will find the Guide particularly useful for understanding what procedural standards apply.

Why the EIB Guide to Procurement matters for bidders

The Guide is the primary tool for understanding whether a procurement process you are participating in meets EIB standards and whether you have grounds to challenge a procedural irregularity. Because the EIB defers to EU law for EU borrowers, suppliers familiar with EU procurement directives will find EIB-financed procurement largely familiar. The Guide's value is greatest for EIB Global projects in non-EU countries, where understanding the expected standards helps suppliers assess whether a tender has been run properly before investing in a bid.

FAQ

Is the EIB Guide to Procurement the same as World Bank Procurement Regulations?

No. The EIB Guide is the EIB's own document, anchored in EU procurement law. World Bank Procurement Regulations are a separate framework used for World Bank-financed projects.

Does the EIB Guide apply to all EIB-financed contracts?

It applies to borrower-executed procurement financed by EIB loans. It does not govern the EIB's own internal corporate procurement, which is handled through the EIB Supplier Portal.

Where can suppliers find the EIB Guide to Procurement?

The Guide is published on eib.org under the procurement section, and the EIB updates it periodically to reflect changes in EU procurement law.