The UK Cabinet Office launches a public consultation on the draft Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016

Background to the consultation The Cabinet Office has commenced a public consultation on the draft Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (UCR 2016) and the draft Concessions Contracts Regulations 2016 (CCR 2016). The UCR 2016 will update the rules which utilities must adhere to when awarding contracts, whereas both contracting authorities (i.e. most public bodies) and utilities will be subject to the CCR 2016 regime when awarding concession contracts. The UCR 2016 and CCR 2016 are intended to give effect to European Union rules adopted in 2014 (i.e. Directive 2014/25/EU and Directive/23/EU, respectively) and must enter into force in national law across the EU by 18 April 2016. The new regulations will apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland only, although parallel implementing