Procurement Act 2023: A guide for employees

From the 24 February 2025, the legislation that governs how we buy things and work with suppliers is changing. If you spend money on the Council’s behalf, this will affect you in some way.

This page will be updated when new information is available. Check back regularly for further updates.

Did you know that seven in every ten pounds the council spends is with our supply chain? This money needs to be compliant with these new laws, and it’s our job to help you prepare.

What you need to do

To prepare for the change, you should think about any new work coming up, even if you’re still applying for grant funding, and communicate this with your Procurement contact.

Changes to low risk purchases below £100K (RFQ)

From 24 February, there will be changes to what we need to do when you complete a request for quotation (RFQ) for low risk purchases below £100K.

To comply with the law: 

  • make sure you follow self-serve process for making low risk purchases between £10,001 and £100,000 (RFQ)
  • send all completed forms into the Procurement team
  • within 30 days of entering into a new contract, make sure you have sent the Procurement team the fully completed RFQ completion form
  • as soon as possible after you enter into a new contract, the Procurement team will need to publish a 'contract details notice' on your behalf - this informs suppliers and the public that we have entered into a contract

If you do not know who your contact is or have any questions, email procurement.team@essex.gov.uk.

About the Procurement Act 2023

The new Procurement Act will:

  • provide greater flexibility in how we buy goods, works or services
  • open up public procurement to new market entrants - this includes small businesses and social enterprises so they can compete for and potentially win more public contracts
  • take tougher action on suppliers that are not performing well in their contract, and exclude suppliers who pose unacceptable risks
  • embed transparency so the use of taxpayers’ money can be scrutinised properly
  • formalise some areas we already excel in, like social value and carbon reduction goals

The new Act will not affect:

  • procurements already underway before the Act came into force
  • existing contracts until they expire or are replaced

The existing laws will continue to apply until the new Act comes into force.

You can read more information on the transformation of public procurement at:

Last published date:
Next review date: