Starting August 22, 2026, public procurement will be required to incorporate environmental requirements more systematically and, for certain contracts, social considerations as well. This change will directly affect local governments, public institutions, and bidding companies in Martinique. However, a report recently published by the government on the Plans for the Promotion of Socially and Environmentally Responsible Procurement (SPASER) shows that these practices are still not being applied uniformly.
New Environmental Requirements
Public procurers must now include at least one criterion that takes into account the environmental characteristics of bids, as well as an environmental requirement applicable during the performance of the contract.
The criterion will be used to Compare the companies' proposals. The performance clause, for its part, will set forth the obligations to be fulfilled once the contract has been awarded.
Depending on the nature of the contract, these requirements may relate to waste reduction, energy consumption, product lifespan, the use of reused or recycled materials, the protection of biodiversity, or transportation arrangements.
A social clause must also be included in contracts that exceed the European thresholds, except in cases where an exemption is provided for under the Public Procurement Code.
Clauses That Are Still in the Minority
National data show that there is still significant room for improvement. In 2023, 29.1% of public procurement contracts in the first and third quarters included an environmental clause, compared to just 18.7 % for social provisions.
The results are significantly better among buyers with a structured strategy. The organizations surveyed that have adopted a SPASER report that they incorporate environmental considerations into 63.2 % of their markets, on average.
However, these data are based on 122 voluntary responses and do not provide a comprehensive picture of the situation in Martinique. Nevertheless, they show that developing a strategy, accompanied by regular monitoring, helps ensure that social and environmental issues are better addressed.
What Martinican Businesses Need to Anticipate
For companies responding to requests for proposals, these changes will not be limited to new formalities. They will need to provide more detailed explanations of their practices, justify their commitments, and propose solutions tailored to buyers’ expectations.
The criteria may include, among other things:
- waste prevention and recycling; ;
- the use of recycled or reused materials; ;
- reducing energy and resource consumption; ;
- limiting travel and emissions; ;
- initiatives to promote employment.
Construction, institutional food service, agriculture, maintenance, waste management, and municipal services are among the sectors most affected. However, the requirements must remain proportionate to the market and take into account the actual capabilities of local businesses.
A network of stakeholders to mobilize in Martinique
The report emphasizes that responsible procurement provisions cannot yield results without cooperation among stakeholders. Public procurers must be aware of the available solutions, while companies need clarity and support to adapt their offerings.
Organizations in the social and solidarity economy, entities involved in workforce integration, chambers of commerce, professional associations, and buyer networks can contribute to this effort.
In Martinique, CRESS has indicated that it intends to strengthen dialogue among buyers, businesses, and social economy organizations. The arrival of Karen Galea, Program Officer for Inclusion and Monitoring of Social and Environmental Clauses, is part of this initiative.
The challenge will be to translate the new requirements into realistic criteria tailored to the region’s industries. The success of this transition will depend as much on how the contracts are drafted as on the preparedness of Martinican companies.
Source: CRESS of Martinique
