EU restricts Chinese firms from medical device tenders

By Ata Ufuk Seker and Emir Yildirim

BRUSSELS (AA) — The EU has decided to exclude Chinese firms from participating in public procurement tenders for medical devices worth over 5 million euros ($5.7 million), according to a statement by the European Commission on Friday.

The Commission said the move is in response to discriminatory practices by China, which the statement said has excluded EU-made medical devices from its own government tenders.

The decision is “proportionate to China’s barriers” but still the Commission will allow for exceptions if no alternative supplier is found.

“The measures are consistent with the EU’s international obligations, including under the WTO framework, as the EU has no binding procurement commitments vis-a-vis China,” the statement read.

The Commission’s decision to exclude Chinese firms due to their “discrimination against EU firms and EU-made medical devices” is aimed at encouraging Chinese firms to “treat EU companies with the same openness as the EU does with Chinese companies and products.” The statement added that the restrictions could be lifted if China addresses the issue.

EU countries buy medical devices worth around 150 billion euros ($127.7 billion) per year, 70% of which is purchased through public procurements, according to the Commission.