French law on public contracting (loi sur la maîtrise d'ouvrage publique or MOP law)
Management of public investment projects in the water sector

In order for the law on public contracting (loi MOP, see [Doc. W 9 510] ) to apply without dispute to the planned operation, a double requirement is necessary:

• the local authority is subject to the MOP law. We have seen that, in almost all cases involving investments in the water sector, these criteria were met;

• the project, i.e. all the works carried out, are themselves subject to the MOP law (decree no. 86-520 of March 14, 1986, which excludes certain categories of works).

In the water sector, the vast majority of investments made by local authorities are subject to...