What Is the CPV?
The Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) is a standardised classification system used across UK and European public procurement. Every contract notice published on Find a Tender or Contracts Finder includes at least one CPV code, making it possible to search for opportunities by sector rather than relying on keyword matching alone. Across the 264,250 UK notices TenderTracker tracks, the busiest CPV division is Health and social work services (CPV 85) with 13,763 contracts.
The 8-Digit Hierarchy
CPV codes are 8 digits long, structured from broad to specific:
- Division (first 2 digits) — the broadest category, e.g.
45= Construction work - Group (first 3 digits) — narrows the sector, e.g.
453= Building installation work - Class (first 4 digits) — more specific, e.g.
4531= Electrical installation work - Category (first 5 digits) — detailed sub-category
- Remaining digits provide further granularity, with a check digit at position 9
Key Fact
There are 45 CPV divisions covering everything from agriculture (03) to recreational services (92). Most suppliers only need to track 2-3 divisions relevant to their business.
Why CPV Codes Matter
Using CPV codes to find contracts has several advantages over keyword-only search:
- Consistent classification — the same code is used regardless of how the buyer describes the work
- No missed results — keywords miss contracts that use different terminology for the same service
- Alert precision — set up email alerts by CPV code to receive relevant opportunities without noise
Searching by CPV on TenderTracker
TenderTracker lets you browse all CPV divisions to see live contract counts by category. You can also filter search results by CPV code or set up email alerts for specific codes so you never miss a relevant opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CPV code?
A CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) code is an 8-digit number that classifies the subject of a public contract, such as 45 for construction work. Every notice on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder carries at least one CPV code, so you can search by sector instead of guessing keywords.
How many CPV codes are there?
The vocabulary contains thousands of codes organised into 45 top-level divisions, running from agriculture (03) to recreational services (92). Most suppliers only need to monitor the 2-3 divisions that cover their line of business.
How do I find the right CPV code for my business?
Start from the division that matches your sector, then drill down through group and class levels until the description fits the work you deliver. Checking which codes buyers used on contracts similar to yours is the quickest way to confirm your choice.
Does the UK still use CPV codes after Brexit?
Yes. The UK retained the Common Procurement Vocabulary after leaving the EU, and both Find a Tender and Contracts Finder continue to classify every notice with CPV codes under the Procurement Act 2023 regime.
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