The health and social reform includes changes to the law on environmental requirements for public vehicle procurement
Because of health and social reform, The law on environmental and energy efficiency requirements for vehicle and transport service procurement is being revised. As the responsibility for the organization of health and social services and rescue services is transferred from the municipalities to the welfare services, the levels of obligations applicable to the procurement of vehicles and transport services must be defined. The Ministry of Transport and Communications is starting to prepare the necessary amendments to the law.
The law, which came into force in August 2021, obliges municipalities and state administrations to ensure a certain share of zero-emission and low-emission vehicles in public procurement. The law applies, for example, to the procurement of municipal and state or parish vehicles and transport services for school transport, waste collection, local bus transport and transport reimbursed by the Social Insurance Institution. It also applies to procurement under concessions. The law implements the EU’s Clean Vehicles Directive.
When the responsibility for the organization of health and social services and rescue services is transferred from the municipalities to the welfare services, the levels of obligations applicable to the procurement of vehicles and transport services will be determined. In order to take account of regional differences, the law has differentiated the minimum levels of environmentally friendly vehicles in municipal procurement.
In addition, it is assessed whether a penalty payment would be an appropriate sanction to ensure compliance with legal obligations.
The law on environmental and energy efficiency requirements in the procurement of vehicle and transport services promotes the use of alternative fuels, such as electricity, gas and biofuels. The legislation supports the European Union’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. It is also part of the government’s roadmap for fossil-free transport.
What next?
The bill is due to be submitted for consultation in the summer of 2022. Expert reports on the segregation of duties of welfare services and possible fines must be ordered.
The amendment would enter into force on 1 January 2023 with responsibility for arranging the transfer of social and health services from municipalities to welfare provinces.
Source: Ministry of Transport and Communications