Humanitarian Procurement Centres (HPCs) are non-profit Organisations specialised in the procurement of supplies and services necessary for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the provision of related technical assistance, supply purchasing or logistics services. An HPC may either be an independent entity or a specialised supply or procurement department of a non-governmental organisation or an international organisation, provided that it has the appropriate levels of specialisation and discretion in procurement decisions. 

The criteria for recognition as an HPC include, among others, appropriate legal personality and registration, non-profit nature, a non-discriminatory sales and fair pricing methodology and policy (including all overheads and mark-ups), expertise in procurement and related activities, well-documented and fair procurement procedures and quality assurance provisions, and an adequate financial and administrative capacity. 

To verify compliance with above procedures, criteria and principles, DG ECHO performs periodic on-site examinations of recognised HPCs. 

When using the services of an HPC, the Partner can apply a negotiated procedure with a single offer. When procuring medical supplies, the Partner does not have to perform pre-qualification of supplies. 

The Partner must exercise the necessary degree of care, efficiency and diligence with regard to monitoring of the timeliness and quality of the supplies or services provided by the HPC. In cases where the quality or service falls below those expected, the Partner must inform the DG ECHO of the shortcomings and circumstances.