Understanding CPV Codes

What are CPV codes?

CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) codes are a standardized classification system used across the EU and UK to categorize public procurement contracts. Every tender published on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder includes CPV codes that describe what the buyer is looking for.

How CPV codes work

CPV codes are hierarchical:

• First 2 digits - Division (e.g., 90 = Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services)
• First 4 digits - Group (e.g., 9091 = Cleaning services)
• Full 8 digits - Specific service or product (e.g., 90919300 = School cleaning services)

Common CPV codes by sector

Here are some of the most common CPV codes by sector:

Cleaning & Facilities Management

• 9091 - Cleaning services
• 9092 - Pest control services
• 79993 - Facility management services
• 7731 - Landscaping services
• 905 - Waste management
• 507 - Building maintenance

Construction & Building

• 45 - Construction work
• 453 - Building installation work
• 454 - Building completion work
• 71 - Architectural and engineering services

IT & Technology

• 72 - IT services
• 48 - Software packages
• 302 - Computer equipment
• 642 - Telecommunications services

Transport & Logistics

• 60 - Transport services
• 34 - Motor vehicles
• 63 - Supporting transport services

How to use CPV codes in TenderStead

When searching for tenders on TenderStead, you can:

1. Use the advanced search and enter CPV prefixes (e.g., "9091" or "90")
2. Browse by sector to see pre-configured CPV codes for each category
3. Set up alerts with specific CPV codes to get notified of matching tenders

Tips for using CPV codes effectively

• Start broad, then narrow - Use 2-digit codes to see all opportunities in a division, then refine
• Check multiple codes - Buyers sometimes use different codes for similar services
• Use keyword search too - Not all tenders have accurate CPV codes, so combine with keyword searches
• Look at similar tenders - See what CPV codes competitors are bidding on