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A Smarter Single Market: Why Transparency and Data Must Drive EU Procurement Reform

The EU’s upcoming Public Procurement Directive revision aims to replace paper‑based, fragmented processes with a digital, data‑driven system. Advocates call for EU‑wide data standards, mandatory publication of contracts above roughly €30,000, and open, machine‑readable access via APIs. Such reforms would close the current transparency gap—where only about 20% of procurement spend is visible—and enable benchmarking, competition, and smarter supply‑chain management. Ultimately, digital governance is presented as essential for boosting SME participation, lowering costs, and strengthening the single market.