Enimmäishankintarajat

Enimmäishankintarajat refer to the maximum limits set for public procurements in Finland. These limits are crucial for determining which procurement procedures are to be followed. When the estimated value of a procurement exceeds certain thresholds, more stringent and competitive tendering procedures are required by law.

These limits are set out in the Public Procurement Act (Julkiset hankinnat ja käyttöoikeussopimukset) and are aligned with European Union directives. The main thresholds are for supplies and services, and for works. There are also separate thresholds for specific sectors, such as utilities and defense.

Exceeding these enimmäishankintarajat means that a procurement must be advertised publicly, typically in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) through TED (Tenders Electronic Daily). This ensures wider competition and transparency. Below these limits, national or less formal procurement procedures may be used, depending on the specific value and nature of the procurement.

The enimmäishankintarajat are reviewed periodically, usually every two years, to take into account inflation and changes in the EU directives. Public contracting authorities must be aware of these limits to ensure compliance with procurement law and to achieve value for public money. Incorrectly classifying a procurement by not observing the enimmäishankintarajat can lead to legal challenges and penalties.