September 2026
Greater Manchester exporters selling into Europe have reason to watch Brussels closely this autumn. The EU is reshaping how it awards public contracts as part of its wider "Made in Europe" industrial strategy – a push to strengthen European supply chains, boost competitiveness and reduce reliance on overseas suppliers in strategically important sectors.
Here's the reassuring headline first: as things stand, UK firms are not being shut out. Thanks to the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and the UK's membership of the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), British companies still have access to a significant share of EU public sector contracts – and UK businesses currently enjoy exemptions that many other non-EU countries do not.
It's also early days. There is no confirmed implementation date, as the EU Procurement Act is still working its way through the EU legislative process, though the proposal was adopted by the European Commission in 2026. But the direction of travel is clear, and it pays to understand it now.
What's changing
The new approach puts far greater weight on more than just price. Public authorities will increasingly look at:
● Supply chain resilience and security
● Strategic autonomy
● Sustainability and environmental performance
● European industrial capacity
● Reduced dependence on non-EU suppliers
Expect this shift to show up most in clean technologies, energy, healthcare, defence and critical infrastructure. The EU is also sharpening its ability to respond to countries that don't offer reciprocal access to their own procurement markets – through instruments such as the International Procurement Instrument (IPI) and tighter scrutiny of foreign subsidies.
What it means for you
UK companies keep their access, but exporters should have three trends on their radar:
● A stronger focus on supply chain origin and local value creation may raise bid requirements and compliance obligations.
● Firms in automotive, aerospace, clean technology and medical devices may feel more pressure as the EU builds up its own domestic production.
● You may need stronger evidence around sustainability, resilience and security credentials when bidding for public contracts.
Where the opportunities are
The reforms cut both ways – and for Greater Manchester there's real upside. Several of the sectors the EU wants to see grow are ones the region does well:
● Advanced manufacturing
● Clean and green energy
● Digital technologies and cybersecurity
● Health innovation and life sciences
A more harmonised procurement framework across Europe could also simplify access to opportunities across multiple Member States, and the UK's current exemptions help preserve GM firms' competitiveness in EU tenders while other non-EU rivals face growing barriers.
What the experts say
According to William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, UK firms can be reassured they are not currently targeted by the new restrictions. The BCC does caution, though, that the broader "Made in Europe" agenda could over time make it harder for third-country suppliers to take part in some European supply chains. On balance, the Chamber sees a single EU-wide procurement framework as a potential win for UK exporters by reducing complexity – provided businesses keep monitoring developments as the legislation progresses.
The bottom line for GM traders
The immediate impact is likely to be limited, and current arrangements still offer valuable access to EU public procurement markets. But if you're selling into Europe, now is a good moment to review your supply chains, sustainability credentials and EU partnerships – so you stay well positioned as procurement rules increasingly reward resilience, strategic autonomy and European industrial development.
Need help navigating EU regulations, or simply exporting to the EU?
Get in touch with one of our advisers and we'll arrange a call-back. Email us at international@growthco.uk
Sources: British Chambers of Commerce, European Union (EUR-Lex), UK Gov