Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (PC(S)R) are the Scottish statutory instrument that implements the EU Public Procurement Directive 2014/24/EU into Scots law. Their purpose is to ensure that public sector procurement in Scotland is carried out in a transparent, fair, and competitive manner. It standardises procurement processes, promotes value for money, protects suppliers’ rights, and supports transparency across Scotland’s public sector.
PC(S)R 2015 translates the requirements of Directive 2014/24/EU into domestic law, setting rules that must be followed by public bodies when awarding contracts above specified threshold values. APUC follows these Regulations for all its Framework Agreements.
The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014
The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 establishes the regulatory framework for below‑EU‑threshold public procurements and introduces duties aimed at improving transparency, sustainability, fairness, and community impact across Scotland’s public sector procurement landscape.
It complements the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, which apply to EU‑regulated (now higher‑value) procurements, by covering all regulated procurements above certain Scottish domestic thresholds.
Procurement Act 2023
The Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) is the most significant transformation of the UK’s public procurement system in decades. It replaces the EU‑based procurement legislation and introduces a simplified, more flexible framework aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, accountability, and value across public sector procurement. It received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023, and its key provisions commenced on 24 February 2025. All procurements launched after this date must follow the new rules.
PA23 applies to public sector bodies in Contracting authorities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland is not covered by the Procurement Act 2023.
PA23 only becomes relevant to Scottish organisations in limited cases where there is cross border or collaborative procurement or when calling off from a PA23 Framework Agreement.
