Contact Us: 1 (888) 567 5701

OECD - 10/23/2008

The OECD Principles take a holistic view by helping governments to review and prevent risks to integrity in the entire public procurement cycle, from needs assessment, through the award stage, until contract management and payment. They demonstrate a consensus that efforts to enhance good governance and anti-corruption in public procurement are essential for efficient and effective management of public resources.

 The Principles reflect a global view of procurement policies and practices that have proved effective in various regions around the world. On the basis of identified good practices in OECD and non-OECD countries, a Checklist was developed to provide guidance for the implementation of the Principles at each stage of the procurement cycle. The Principles and Checklist build on the OECD’s multi-disciplinary work analysing public procurement from public governance, aid effectiveness, anti-bribery and competition perspectives.

 The Principles provide policy guidance for the implementation of international legal instruments such as the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.  Furthermore they complement international instruments developed by organisations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and the European Union.

 The Recommendation is also a key instrument for policy dialogue between OECD countries, and with non-member countries. In 2011 OECD countries will report on progress made in implementing the Recommendation.

See the English and French versions of the OECD Recommendation

Further reading:

• OECD Guidelines in the area of public service ethics
• Policy brief: Keeping Government Contracts Clean