Glossary
What is a CPV code?
A CPV code is an eight-digit number from the EU's Common Procurement Vocabulary that describes what a public buyer is purchasing — for example 72000000 for IT services or 90910000 for cleaning. Every tender notice on Doffin and TED carries at least one, which makes CPV codes the most reliable way to find relevant tenders.
How the codes are built
The vocabulary has 9,454 codes arranged as a hierarchy. The first two digits are the division, the next digits narrow it to group, class and category, and trailing zeros mark the level. A check digit is often added after a hyphen, as in 72000000-5.
Why it matters for suppliers
- Buyers choose the codes, and they do not always choose the most precise one. Watch the main code for your field as well as the specific ones.
- Codes alone can be too broad. Combine them with keywords that describe what you deliver.
How Tenderen uses CPV codes
Your company profile and every alert are built on CPV codes. Tenderen's alerts match codes on the division — the first two digits — so add keywords to narrow a broad division. The free CPV lookup searches the full vocabulary in your language.
Frequently asked questions
- How many CPV codes should we watch?
- Enough to cover what you deliver, usually a handful of main codes plus keywords. Start broad, look at what the alerts bring in, and narrow with keywords.
Related
Try it on your own tenders
The Free plan has no time limit and needs no card: tender search, daily email alerts and 5 saved tenders for one user. Paid plans start with a 14-day free trial.
Start freeLast reviewed 4 October 2026