Hankeõigus

Hankeõigus refers to the legal framework governing public procurement processes in Estonia. It encompasses the rules and regulations that public authorities must follow when acquiring goods, services, or works from external suppliers. The primary objective of hankeõigus is to ensure that public funds are spent efficiently and effectively, promoting fair competition among tenderers and preventing corruption.

The Estonian hankeõigus is largely based on European Union directives, aiming to harmonize public procurement rules across member states. The Public Procurement Act is the main piece of legislation, detailing the procedures for different types of procurement, including open tenders, restricted procedures, and competitive dialogues. It also outlines the criteria for selecting suppliers and awarding contracts, emphasizing principles like transparency, equal treatment, and proportionality.

The legislation distinguishes between different thresholds for procurement values, with specific procedures applying to procurements exceeding certain financial limits. For smaller procurements below these thresholds, simplified procedures may be used. The Act also addresses the rights and obligations of both contracting authorities and tenderers, providing mechanisms for resolving disputes and challenging procurement decisions through the Estonian Public Procurement Review Commission. Compliance with hankeõigus is crucial for public institutions to maintain accountability and uphold the integrity of public spending.