In 2005, the Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department of the European Commission (DG ECHO) accredited the International Federation as a humanitarian procurement centre. Through this accreditation, we will expand to third parties the procurement services that we already provide to National Societies.
ECHO has only accredited a limited number of humanitarian procurement centres. To be recognized as a humanitarian procurement centre, an organization must:
- be a non-profit-making organization
- be an autonomous organization. Specialized departments and agencies (with financial and administrative decision-making capacities) established by international organisations are considered autonomous organizations
- be a professional organization. The centre’s administrative and financial capacity must guarantee efficiency and the highest levels of performance and quality in procurement related activities
- be specialized in the technical and commercial management of supplies necessary for the implementation of humanitarian aid operations
- guarantee equal treatment of suppliers, potential contractors and donors
- guarantee high standards of integrity, regularity transparency, price, performance and quality (the best price-quality ratio, proportionality of the procedures followed in relation to the value of the contracts to be awarded)
- observe the highest ethical standards during the procurement and execution of contracts (avoiding child labour and promoting the respect of basic social rights and working conditions)
- the handling fee or overhead costs charged to the customer may be considered eligible providing that the centre is able to demonstrate the methodology used to establish their prices and mark-ups, including the handling fee and overhead costs
If you are funded by DG ECHO, either as a National Society or a third party, you will use the IFRC’s services through the humanitarian procurement centre. Read more about your funding status.
If you are interested in finding out more about humanitarian procurement centres, please visit the DG ECHO web site.