Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

[1] It was formerly known as the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

[2] The Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion has the task of contributing to the development of a modern, innovative and sustainable European social model with more and better jobs in an inclusive society based on equal opportunities.

The Directorate-General is organised into 8 directorates: DG EMPL commissioned a report published in 2010 entitled "Buying Social", which provided guidance on how to take "social considerations" into account within the EU and its Member States' public procurement processes.

[3] The guide provides a "non-exhaustive list" of potential social considerations which contracting authorities might refer to in their procurement processes, including employment opportunities for groups who struggle in the labour market, the "decent work" agenda and ethical trade.

A second edition was published in 2021, updated to reflect changes in the legal context of public procurement following the adoption of the revised Directive on Public Procurement in 2014, and now adding references to green and circular public procurement.