CPV codes explained simply: finding the procurement codes for your field
A CPV code is a tender's address: every European public tender is classified by it. If you know the codes for your field, you find tenders faster and more precisely.
Updated 11 November 2026 · 5 min read
What a CPV code is
CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) is the EU's single classification for public procurement. It is set by a European Commission regulation and used in every member state, so a code means the same in Estonia, Finland and Sweden. Buyers give each tender a main code and, where needed, additional codes, which lets companies search and track tenders even when the text is in another language.
How a code is built
A code has eight digits plus a check digit after a hyphen, for example 45000000-7. The check digit only guards against typos; you do not need it to search. Codes are hierarchical: the more leading digits are filled in, the more specific the code.
| Level | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 2 digits: division | 45000000 | Construction work |
| 3 digits: group | 45300000 | Building installation work |
| 4 digits: class | 45310000 | Electrical installation work |
| 5 digits: category | 45315000 | Electrical heating and other equipment installation |
Roughly, divisions 03–44 and 48 are supplies, 45 is works and 50–98 are services.
Examples
| Field | Codes to start with |
|---|---|
| Construction | 45; road works 45233; electrical 4531 |
| Design and engineering | 71 |
| IT | 72 IT services; 48 software and information systems |
| Cleaning | 909, including 90911 building cleaning |
| Catering | 555 canteens and catering; 15 food |
| Transport | 60 transport services; 341 motor vehicles |
| Marketing | 7934 advertising and marketing; 798 printing |
Each industry page, such as construction tenders or IT tenders, lists the codes it uses next to the tenders open now.
How to choose your codes
- Start broad with two to four digits. Eight-digit codes miss tenders filed under a neighbouring code.
- Look at real tenders you would have bid for and note their main and additional codes.
- Add keywords, because buyers do not always pick the best code.
- Exclude noise with negative keywords rather than narrowing codes too far.
- Review after a few months and adjust.
Supplementary vocabulary and other notes
CPV also has an alphanumeric supplementary vocabulary that adds detail such as material or purpose; you rarely need it to find tenders. A tender often carries several codes, and it can suit you even if your code is only among the additional ones. In Hangete you pick your industry from a plain list and the codes are added for you; you can fine-tune them in the advanced settings.