Enprotex Foundation and the Smart@fire project team are holding the third Enprotex Conference on 11 and 12 December 2013. This year's theme is 'Meet the procurers'. Participants will be gain more in-depth knowledge of the world of personal protective equipment and protective textiles.

Topics such as new and existing standards will be discussed, as well as test methods, technologies and projects in this area of expertise. Furthermore, there is a unique networking opportunity in connection with this, making it possible for public procurers, the protective textile industry, the academic world, and end users to exchange views and establish contacts.

The conference will consist of three parts; a presentation of existing and new standards, test methods and technologies in the field of personal protective equipment; concrete information on the Smart@fire project and similar European Commission projects, and how to take part in these as a public procurer or as a provider; and a networking event including a reception and gala dinner.

For more information, click here.

This conference aims to foster an active exchange between procurers, governmant, NGOs and the IT industry about the possibility of the public sector to contribute to the improvement of working conditions in the global IT industry.

Thematic inputs from speakers from organisations such as China Labor Watch, Electronics Watch and TCO Development will accompany workshops on the world of IT production, the implementation of high social standards in public procurement and disposal of electronic equipment.

For more information, click here.

As many legal and practical changes for contracting authorities lie ahead, in early 2014 a comprehensive reform of EU public procurement law will be adopted. This seminar will address the upcoming legal and organisational changes, through the lens of procurement that is more socially and environmentally sustainable.

Among the aspects that will be explored are the legal and practical consequences of the new directive on national law, new tendering procedures that will need to be adopted, and the effects of the changes on public institutions, among many others.

The seminar includes guest speakers from European Commission's Public Procurement Legislation Unit, the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the National Procurement Agency in Denmark and the Public Agency for Joint Procurement in the South-East of the Netherlands.

For more information, click here.

The German Federal Ministry for Economy and Energy is running a conference titled 'Contracting Authorities Day' on 25 February 2014 in Berlin (Germany). The conference offers public decision-makers the opportunity to discuss new legal and procurement practices. It will focus on introducing innovative and sustainable solutions.

The German procurement of innovation agency (KOINNO) affirms that procurement of products and services that are innovative and sustainable should be prioritised. Despite a higher initial cost, these solutions are generally cheaper over their entire life cycles.

The conference will be joined by a guest who will discuss the procurement of innovative solutions in the Netherlands. The conference will take place in German.

For more information, click here.

The 2014 World Sustainable Energy Days will be held from 26 - 28 February 2014 in Wels (Austria). As one of the largest annual conferences in this field in Europe, the World Sustainable Energy Days offer a unique combination of events on sustainable energy and energy efficiency.

The World Sustainable Energy Days will comprise several smaller conferences on topics such as technologies, business models, policies, and financing to deliver high efficiency buildings; EU energy efficiency policy and their role in driving innovation and employment; and the latest developments in technology solutions for innovative and sustainable buildings.

For more information and to register, click the link below.

The Eco-Products International Fair (EPIF) will be held in Taipei (Taiwan) between 13 - 16 March 2013. According to a report released in May 2013 by the United Nations Environment Programme, the world's market for low carbon and resource efficient industry is estimated to triple in size to $2.2 million by 2020.

Holding EPIF 2014 in Taiwan will provide businesses with many opportunities for seizing green business opportunities and for exploring partnerships with companies from 19 APO (Asian Productivity Organisation) member countries, as well as offering government agencies an international platform to showcase their effort in encouraging citizens to adopt green lifestyle.

In 2012, Taiwan's export of green products has accounted for 13.5 percent of Taiwan's total export, reaching $40.5 billion in value. Compared to $31 billion in 2009, Taiwan's exports of green products have achieved significant growth of more than 30 percent.

For more information, click here.

Recent economic developments have led to fundamental changes in the field of procurement, having been forced to adapt and reinvent itself in response to significant change.

To this end, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will be hosting a free symposium entitled "Sustainable Procurement: Where is the profession going?" on 17 March 2014 at the UNOPS Headquarters in Copenhagen (Denmark).

The symposium will bring together experts from across the public and private sectors in an engaging discussion on the future of procurement, this event will provide procurement and supply chain practitioners with a platform for networking and knowledge exchange. A panel discussion will also provide the opportunity to ask questions and participate in an interesting debate on the trends and challenges the profession is facing.

For more information and to register, click here.

Contracting authorities in federal, state and local government in Germany are increasingly having to deal with e-procurement as a result of new regulations. Innovative e-solutions now allow for a broader and more detailed overview of the procurement process and ultimately make for faster and more efficient processes in government agencies and institutions.

An all-day event held in Düsseldorf (Germany ) on 25 March 2014 and run by Bundesverband Materialswirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik e.V. will address the questions that contracting authorities may have. It includes a series of presentations as well as opportunities for discussion in the afternoon.

Furthermore, this practice shows that processes that make us of innovative e-solutions procurement have simplified procedures and can generate potential savings. Participants will learn how the successful introduction and implementation of e-solutions can benefit their organisations.

For more information, click the link below [in German].

The EU Concessions Directive was approved by the European parliament in January 2014. For the first time, this new legislation sets common EU standards for the selection, awarding and contracting of works and services concessions. As concessions are the most common form of public-private partnership (PPI), it will have far-reaching implications for service providers and public officials alike.

The Lexxion European Conference on 25 March will offer insight and advice on implementing the new legislation and the chance to have your questions answered by renowned speakers from the European Commission, Member States’ Authorities and experts from industry, private legal practice and academia. Practical case-studies will be combined with detailed presentations, lively debates and in-depth discussion of individual questions.

A special focus will be put on risk transfer and payment mechanisms in concessions as well as practical experiences with procurement, financing, contracting and concession delivery. Interested parties can register online or contact Julia Veit for further details. Please not that there is a reduced participation fee for public authorities.

The Swiss branch of CIPS would like to invite interested private sector procurement professionals to a workshop on Sustainable Procurement. The Swiss purchasing community is tackling this theme more and more as the concept becomes more widespread.

We have three excellent speakers on the impact of sustainability on procurement, engaging an organisation in the concept and the process, and implementing a plan. Following questions and answers, there will be drinks and snacks, and plenty of opportunity for convivial networking.

Participants must register as places are limited. The event is free for CIPS members.

For more information, click here.