The CPV code is a unified numerical classification system used in public procurement to precisely define the subject matter of a tender—essentially, what the contracting authority is purchasing. Standardized across the European Union, the CPV system enables a uniform description of supplies, services, and construction works regardless of language or country. Each CPV code consists of a numerical format and a corresponding text description that specifies the exact type of contract subject.
What the CPV code is used for:
The main purpose of a CPV code is the basic identification and classification of the subject matter of a public contract. Its use is mandatory when publishing tenders in national procurement bulletins and in the European TED database. Thanks to this standardized classification, suppliers can easily search for tenders within their specific field of activity.
Choosing the correct CPV code ensures that:
- the tender is displayed to relevant suppliers,
- the transparency of the procurement process is increased,
- and it can also influence the choice of the correct procurement procedure or statistical evaluations of public contracts.
How it is selected:
A CPV code is not assigned individually to specific entities; instead, it is selected from the official European CPV nomenclature, which contains thousands of codes arranged in a hierarchical structure. When preparing a public contract, the contracting authority selects the code that best matches the nature of the required performance. Every tender has one main CPV code describing its primary subject, which can be supplemented by additional codes for a more precise specification.
Who assigns or receives it:
The CPV code is assigned directly to a specific public contract and is chosen by the contracting authority (such as a public institution, municipality, ministry, or other public body) during the tender preparation and publication process. Therefore, it is not obtained by suppliers or businesses. The CPV code exclusively describes the subject of the public contract, not the supplier's business activities. It is often confused with the CZ-NACE classification, which serves to register the economic activities of business entities, whereas the CPV classifies only the subject of a public contract.
