CPV codes for EU public procurement
CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary) classify every EU public tender. Search 9,000+ codes by keyword, browse by division, and find the right classification for your business — free, no account required.
What are CPV codes?
CPV stands for Common Procurement Vocabulary — the mandatory classification system for all EU public procurement since 2003. Every contract notice on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and national portals like SEAP, BOAMP, or e-Vid includes one or more CPV codes describing the subject of the contract.
Without CPV codes, a company selling IT services would need to know how each country describes "software procurement" in its own language. CPV codes eliminate that barrier — code 72000000 means IT services everywhere in the EU.
How CPV codes are structured
A CPV code is an 8-digit number plus a check digit (e.g. 72000000-5). The hierarchy narrows from broad divisions to specific products:
| Level | Digits | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division | XX | 45 | Construction work |
| Group | XXX | 451 | Site preparation work |
| Class | XXXX | 4511 | Demolition and wrecking work |
| Category | XXXXX | 45111 | Demolition work |
| Full code | XXXXXXXX-Y | 45111000-1 | Most specific classification |
The more trailing zeros, the broader the category. Monitor both parent codes (e.g. 72000000) and specific child codes (e.g. 72212000) to catch all relevant tenders.
Browse CPV divisions
The CPV vocabulary is organized into 42 top-level divisions. Click any division in the CPV Code Explorer to see all child codes.
Why CPV codes matter for your business
Tender alerts & discovery
Tendersight and other monitoring tools filter by CPV code. Wrong codes = missed contracts worth millions. Set alerts for all relevant parent and child codes.
Cross-border bidding
CPV codes work identically in all 27 EU countries. Search once, find opportunities in Germany, Romania, France, and beyond — no local terminology needed.
Bid eligibility
Contracting authorities filter bidders by CPV-relevant experience. Your past contract references should align with the tender's CPV classification.
Market analysis
Analyze spending patterns, competition density, and award rates by CPV sector. Know where the money flows before you bid.
How to search CPV codes
- 1
Search by keyword
Type a product, service, or industry term — "medical equipment", "road construction", "software development". The explorer searches all 9,000+ codes and descriptions in real time.
- 2
Browse by division
Start with a 2-digit division (e.g. 45 = Construction work) and drill down through groups, classes, and categories.
- 3
Direct code lookup
Already know your code? Enter it directly (e.g. 72000000) to see its position in the hierarchy, related codes, and copy it for your tender alerts.
Related tools & resources
CPV codes FAQ
CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) codes are a standardized EU classification system for public contracts. Every tender published on TED and national procurement portals uses CPV codes to describe what is being bought — goods, services, or works.
The CPV vocabulary contains over 9,000 codes organized in a hierarchical tree. They cover every category of public procurement from agricultural products (03) to community services (98), with increasing specificity at each level.
Use Tendersight's free CPV Code Explorer: search by keyword (e.g. "software development"), browse by division, or look up a code directly. Most companies need 5–15 relevant codes including parent categories to avoid missing tenders.
Yes. CPV codes are mandatory and identical across all 27 EU member states under Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002. A code for IT services (72000000) means the same thing in Germany, Romania, France, and every other member state.
Most tender monitoring tools — including Tendersight — filter opportunities by CPV code. Using the wrong codes means missed contracts; using only overly specific codes means you miss broader-category tenders. Set alerts for both parent and child codes.
Yes. Tendersight's CPV Code Explorer is completely free with no account required. Search, browse all divisions, view code hierarchy, and copy codes instantly. Combine it with a free trial for CPV-based tender alerts across 27 EU countries.
Klaar om in te dienen meer inschrijvingen?
Start vandaag je gratis proefperiode.