The European Commission announced its intention to refer Greece to the Court of Justice because it has failed to ensure full compliance with EU rules on public procurement as regards the purchase of an information system for the Social Security Foundation.

Greece has failed to fulfil its commitment, made under Directive 2004/18/EC in February 2012, to launch a new tendering procedure for the award of the purchase of an information system for the Social Security Foundation, without the illegal clauses included in the original call for tender. This is the conclusion reached by the European Commission following an in-depth investigation. The European institution has therefore decided to refer Greece to the Court of Justice.

The Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Greece in October 2011 asking it to comply with EU law. In their initial reply to the Commission's October 2011 reasoned opinion, the Greek authorities undertook a commitment to launch a new tendering exercise without the aforementioned illegal clauses. However, the new call for tender was not launched; instead, the Greek authorities informed the Commission that they had decided to extend the current contract.

EU rules are designed to ensure fair and transparent competition for public contracts in Europe, thereby creating opportunities for European companies while ensuring the best value for public money. If the rules are not respected, there is a risk not only of less competition but also of inefficient expenditure of public money.