PPN 12/23: North Macedonia Accession to the Agreement on Government Procurement & CPV Code Amendments · first published 19 December 2023
PPN 12/23 does two things. First, it confirms that North Macedonia has joined the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), meaning UK contracting authorities must now treat North Macedonian suppliers no less favourably than domestic ones — and British suppliers gain equivalent access to North Macedonia's markets. Second, it updates the wording of two Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) codes that describe disability-related welfare and day-care services, replacing outdated language with inclusive alternatives in line with the Equality Act 2010. Both changes took effect immediately on publication. The rules bind all UK contracting authorities — central government, agencies, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), and utilities.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
For most SMEs bidding domestically, this PPN changes very little day-to-day. The North Macedonia element is primarily relevant to buyers (who must not discriminate) and to UK firms curious about exporting into North Macedonia's public markets. The CPV code update is a small but real compliance point: any SME preparing bids or framework responses that reference codes 85311200-4 or 85312120-6 must now use the updated, inclusive wording — using the old labels could flag a documentation error. SMEs operating in health and social care should check their bid templates immediately.
1. Audit your bid templates, tender responses and company literature — replace any old wording for these two codes with 'Welfare services for disabled people' (85311200-4) and 'Day-care services for disabled children and young people' (85312120-6).
SMEs in health and social care bidding for contracts that reference CPV codes 85311200-4 or 85312120-6 — The Government has made a statutory instrument updating these codes; using outdated language in procurement documentation is now non-compliant and could undermine your bid.
2. Investigate North Macedonia's public procurement market — as a new GPA Party, its government procurement is now open to British suppliers under GPA rules, creating a potential new export opportunity.
UK SMEs interested in exporting services or goods to government buyers in North Macedonia — North Macedonia's accession to the GPA means 'British suppliers [gain] access to North Macedonia's government procurement markets under the standards set by the GPA rules.'
3. No immediate scoring or eligibility change is required for domestic bids — but note that buyers must now treat North Macedonian suppliers equally, so you may face additional international competition on GPA-covered contracts.
All SMEs bidding for UK public contracts — Contracting authorities must apply 'non-discrimination and no less favourable treatment' to North Macedonian suppliers, meaning the competitive field on covered procurements has widened.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The PPN applies to all contracting authorities including central government departments, executive agencies, NDPBs, and utilities. (All contracting authorities, with immediate effect)
“The contents of this PPN apply to all contracting authorities, as defined by the UK regulations. This includes all central government departments, their executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other public sector organisations including utilities.”
The PPN must be implemented with immediate effect from the date of publication (19 December 2023). (All contracting authorities)
“This PPN should be implemented with immediate effect.”
Contracting authorities must treat North Macedonia's suppliers with non-discrimination and no less favourably than domestic goods, services and suppliers for covered GPA procurement. (All contracting authorities, GPA-covered procurements)
“North Macedonia's accession to the GPA requires contracting authorities to comply with the GPA for covered procurement by applying non-discrimination and no less favourable treatment than that accorded to domestic goods, services and suppliers.”
The UK already had a trade agreement with North Macedonia giving suppliers guaranteed access exceeding GPA coverage; the GPA accession additionally opens North Macedonia's markets to British suppliers under GPA rules. (UK suppliers seeking access to North Macedonia's procurement markets)
“The UK has an existing trade agreement with North Macedonia with government procurement provisions that give respective suppliers guaranteed access to each country's procurement markets at a level that exceeds GPA coverage. However, North Macedonia's accession to the GPA will allow British suppliers access to North Macedonia's government procurement markets under the standards set by the GPA rules.”
CPV code 85311200-4 has been updated; the correct description is now 'Welfare services for disabled people'. (All contracting authorities and suppliers referencing this CPV code in procurement documentation)
“85311200-4 - Welfare services for disabled people”
CPV code 85312120-6 has been updated; the correct description is now 'Day-care services for disabled children and young people'. (All contracting authorities and suppliers referencing this CPV code in procurement documentation)
“85312120-6 - Day-care services for disabled children and young people.”
The two CPV codes were amended because their previous language was outdated and incompatible with the Equality Act 2010. (All contracting authorities and suppliers using CPV codes 85311200-4 and 85312120-6)
“The language previously used in two of these codes was outdated and incompatible with the Equality Act 2010.”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
Source document © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0 via the GOV.UK Content API. enkii tracks every Procurement Policy Note and briefs changes the day they land — see all briefings.