Definition
Procurement Act 2023
The law governing most UK public procurement from February 2025.
The Procurement Act 2023 is the UK's post-Brexit procurement law, replacing the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and other legacy regimes for contracts advertised on or after the Act's implementation date. It aims to simplify procurement rules, introduce a single digital platform, and give buyers more flexibility while keeping competition and transparency at the core.
What the Act changes for suppliers
The Act consolidates several older regimes (the Public Contracts Regulations, Utilities Contracts Regulations, and Concession Contracts Regulations) into one legal framework covering most public sector buyers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland retains its own regime).
For suppliers, the practical changes include a new central digital platform for registering supplier information once rather than repeatedly, new competitive procedures replacing the old restricted and competitive dialogue procedures, and a stronger emphasis on publishing pipeline notices, award notices and contract performance information.
- Supplier registration once via the central digital platform, reused across bids
- New procedures: competitive flexible procedure and open procedure
- Mandatory conflict of interest declarations by buyers
- Debarment list for excluded suppliers, visible across the public sector
- Wider publication of contract performance and payment information
Transitional arrangements
Procurements started under the old rules before the Act's commencement date generally continue to conclusion under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Suppliers need to check which notice and procedure a tender is running under, since evaluation, remedies and timescales differ between the two regimes.
Buyers are required to state clearly which legal regime applies in their tender documents, but it is worth confirming this explicitly if it is not obvious from the notice.
What suppliers commonly get wrong
A common mistake is assuming all the old terminology (such as 'restricted procedure' or 'PQQ') still applies uniformly; the Act introduces new labels and slightly different processes even where the underlying logic is familiar. Suppliers should read the specific procurement documents rather than relying on old habits.
Frequently asked questions
- When did the Procurement Act 2023 come into force?
- The Act received Royal Assent in 2023 but its substantive provisions came into force later, following a transitional period to allow buyers and suppliers to prepare. Always check the current commencement date and confirm which regime a specific tender is running under before bidding.
- Does the Procurement Act 2023 apply in Scotland?
- No. Scotland retains its own procurement regulations, largely based on the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 as amended. The Procurement Act 2023 applies to contracting authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Do I need to register on a new platform because of the Act?
- Yes, in most cases. The Act introduces a central digital platform where suppliers provide core identity and eligibility information once, rather than resubmitting it for every bid. Buyers and suppliers use this platform for notices, registration and some evaluation data.
Related terms