EU votes to curb Chinese medical devices, cites procurement bias

In a significant shift in procurement supply chain management, the European Union (EU) has voted to restrict imports of Chinese medical devices, following an investigation that revealed widespread discrimination against foreign suppliers in China. This landmark move is aimed at enforcing fair trade practices and protecting European industry competitiveness.

According to the EU’s findings, nearly 87% of Chinese public procurement contracts for medical devices included “direct and indirect discrimination” against foreign companies. Allegations include bans on imported devices and preferential treatment for domestic firms, in violation of global procurement norms.

As a consequence, the EU will now bar Chinese companies from bidding on public contracts above €5 million for five years, under the bloc’s new International Procurement Instrument (IPI), its first application since the law was enacted in 2022. This action is expected to reshape procurement supply chain and logistics strategies for healthcare infrastructure across Europe.