Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement, for England and Wales and Northern Ireland, Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the award of concession contracts (OJ No L 94, 28.3.2014, p1) (“the Concessions Directive”).

These Regulations impose obligations on contracting authorities (as defined in regulation 4) and utilities (as defined in regulation 5) concerning the award of concession contracts.

Parts 1 and 2 set out the scope of the Regulations (including by reference to the thresholds based on the estimated value of the concession contract) and lay down general principles that apply to concession contracts within the scope of the Regulations and the principles for the award of mixed contracts. Chapter 2 of Part 2 contains details of the types of concession contracts that are excluded from the scope of these Regulations.

Part 3 contains rules on the award of concession contracts. Chapter 1 contains obligations relating to the publication of concession notices and concession award notices (regulations 31 to 33), the electronic availability of concession documents (regulation 34) and the prevention of corruption and conflicts of interest (regulation 35). Chapter 2 of Part 3 contains provisions relating to technical and functional requirements of concession contracts (regulation 36), the selection and qualitative assessment of candidates (regulation 38) and award criteria (regulation 41).

A transposition note and a full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector is available at www.gov.uk. It is also annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.