CPV Coding System in Public Procurement

What is a CPV code?

CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) codes have been specially developed by the European Union for public procurement. Their main purpose is to help procurement personnel to classify their contract notices consistently and correctly and to help suppliers find the notices consistently and correctly and to help suppliers find the notices which are of interest by using a standarised vocabulary.

CPV codes help to provide the most reliable and accurate method of locating relevant contract opportunities. By using the searchable database, you can select codes relevant to your products and services and paste them into your profile. You can conduct as many searches as necessary. Please remember to paste your selected codes after each search. CPV codes which are contained within your profile will be highlighted in your results

The CPV consists of a main vocabulary for defining the subject of a contract, and a supplementary vocabulary for adding further qualitative information. The main vocabulary is based on a tree structure comprising codes of up to 9 digits (an 8 digit code plus a check digit) associated with a wording that describes the type of supplies, works or services forming the subject of the contract.
The CPV consists of a main vocabulary and a supplementary vocabulary.
The main vocabulary is based on a tree structure comprising codes of up to nine digits associated with a wording that describes the supplies, works or services forming the subject of the contract
The first two digits identify the divisions (XX000000-Y);
The first three digits identify the groups (XXX00000-Y);
The first four digits identify the classes (XXXX0000-Y);
The first five digits identify the categories (XXXXX000-Y);


Each of the last three digits gives a greater degree of precision within each category

A ninth digit serves to verify the previous digits
The supplementary vocabulary may be used to expand the description of the subject of a contract. The items are made up of an alphanumeric code with a corresponding wording allowing further details to be added regarding the specific nature or destination of the goods to be purchased.


The alphanumeric code is made up of:
a first level comprising a letter corresponding to a section;
· a second level comprising four digits, the first three of which denote a subdivision and last one being for verification purposes.