Definition
Common Procurement Vocabulary(CPV)
The classification code system used to categorise procurement notices.
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) codes are a standardised classification system used to describe the subject matter of a public contract, such as construction works, IT services or catering. UK buyers attach CPV codes to notices on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder, letting suppliers filter opportunities precisely by sector.
How CPV codes are structured
CPV codes run to eight digits, moving from a broad category at the start to a more specific division as the digits progress, so a supplier can search at whatever level of precision suits them, from a wide category down to a narrow specialism.
Buyers sometimes attach more than one CPV code to a single opportunity if it spans multiple categories, such as a facilities management contract covering cleaning, security and grounds maintenance.
Using CPV codes to find opportunities
Searching by CPV code on Find a Tender or Contracts Finder is generally more reliable than keyword searching alone, because buyers use varied wording in titles and descriptions but the CPV classification is consistent.
Suppliers can build a shortlist of relevant codes for their sector and save them as part of an alert search, reducing the time spent scanning irrelevant notices.
- Identify the main CPV codes relevant to your services
- Search by code rather than relying only on keywords
- Check secondary CPV codes on mixed-scope contracts
- Combine CPV filters with region and value filters for precision
Where CPV codes appear in a tender pack
CPV codes typically appear on the contract notice itself rather than deep inside the ITT documents, so they are most useful at the search and early market engagement stage rather than during the actual bid response.
Frequently asked questions
- What do CPV codes look like?
- A CPV code is an eight-digit number, for example a code beginning 45 typically relates to construction works, with later digits narrowing the category further. A ninth check digit is sometimes shown after a hyphen but is not needed for searching.
- Where can I find the full list of CPV codes?
- The full CPV code list is publicly available and searchable, and Find a Tender and Contracts Finder both let you browse or search by CPV code directly within their search interfaces rather than needing an external reference document.
- Do I need to quote a CPV code in my tender response?
- Generally no; CPV codes are used by buyers to classify and advertise the opportunity, and by suppliers to search for it. They are rarely something you need to reference within the ITT response itself.
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