What limits have social and environmental criteria?

Ok, let's put a little spark to this because, honestly, the original text seems written by a robot with insomnia. There you are, real human version:

When we talk about public contracts, putting social and environmental criteria in garlic is not just an eco-friendly fashion. It is a movement to push companies to be less toxic and more decent with people and the planet. But of course, it is not a matter of making anyone impossible. There are certain limits, and they are not precisely flexible.

First, beware with a thread: the thing has to be proportional. If you ask that companies propose an Amazon forest just to sell you pens, then you have sneaked. The social or green criteria have to make sense with what you buy. It is not worth demanding miracles just because yes, if not, SMEs or approach the contest.

Another: the criteria have to be able to verify and cannot discriminate. There is no place for favoritisms, plugs or rare stories. Everyone should have the same opportunities, and what you ask must be something that anyone can demonstrate clearly. Nothing to ask one marathon and the other a return to the block.

And, of course, the law rules. You may want to save the world, but if you skip the regulations, you eat a brown. The criteria have to fit with national and European laws, both of competence and the environment. That is, nothing to invent rules on your own.

In green, you have to look well what the EU and international standards say. If you ask for ecological products or services that do not leave their mark, great, but always following the rules of the game. You cannot demand a small company what only one multinational does.

And with social criteria, more of the same: you can ask for equality, inclusion, good work roll ... but without spending or leave anyone out just because. All verifiable and fair, please.

Of course, I am not going to deceive you: putting more criteria can lia the process and make the tender a headache. So better define things clearly and throw a cable to companies so that they do not miss in the bureaucracy.

In summary: social and environmental criteria cool and help public money serve more than buying things. But not everything is worth. You have to use them with a head, within the law and without complicating the life of everyone. That we have enough, right?