These Regulations implement, for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 31st March 2004 coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors (OJ No L 134, 30.4.2004, p.1).
These Regulations specify the procedures to be followed in relation to the award of supply contracts, works contracts and services contracts by utilities for the purpose of carrying out activities in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors.
The Regulations also provide remedies for breaches of these Regulations, in order to implement Council Directive 92/13/EEC of 25 February 1992 (OJ No L 76, 23.3.1992, p.14) which requires member States to provide effective remedies at national level for breaches of the Regulations relating to procurement in the utilities sector.
A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies may be obtained from the Office of Government Commerce’s website at www.ogc.gov.uk.