Brussels, January 6, 2026 — The Belgian authority has launched a public consultation on a draft guide aimed at helping public procurers better identify and prevent risks of bid rigging throughout the lifecycle of public procurement procedures.
The draft guide is designed as a practical tool for contracting authorities, setting out recommendations and good practices to reduce the risk of collusive behaviour in public tenders. It focuses in particular on detecting manipulation of tender procedures, from the preparation of calls for tenders through contract award and implementation.
According to the authority, the initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen awareness of market distortions and to enhance cooperation with public buyers. As frontline actors in procurement processes, public authorities are seen as playing a key role in the early detection of unusual conduct or patterns that may indicate unlawful coordination among bidders.
The draft guidance provides concrete recommendations for each key phase of the procurement process and explains how contracting authorities should respond when they suspect irregular conduct. It also outlines the options available for engaging with the authority, including the possibility of informal contacts.
The consultation seeks to assess whether the draft guide meets the needs and expectations of stakeholders and to identify areas that may require further clarification or additional guidance. Feedback received during the consultation will be used to refine and finalise the document.
The draft guide has been published on the authority’s website, and the consultation will remain open until February 28, 2026. Submissions can be sent to the authority via email at procurement@bma-abc.be.
Source: https://www.bma-abc.be/sites/default/files/content/download/files/20260106_Persbericht_1_BMA.pdf
