If you've browsed public tenders, you'll have seen strings of digits labelled "CPV." They look cryptic, but they're one of the most useful filtering tools you have — once you know how to read them.
At a glance
- CPV stands for Common Procurement Vocabulary — a standard classification system for what's being bought.
- Each code describes a category of goods, works or services, so buyers and suppliers use a shared language.
- A CPV code is eight digits plus a ninth check digit, arranged from broad to specific.
- UK tenders still use CPV codes under the Procurement Act 2023, so they're a reliable way to filter opportunities.
What is a CPV code?
The Common Procurement Vocabulary is a single classification system that standardises how contracting authorities describe the subject of a procurement. Instead of one buyer writing "IT support" and another "technology helpdesk," both attach the same CPV code — so a search on that code finds every relevant notice, however it's worded.
CPV covers everything the public sector buys: supplies (goods), works (construction) and services. When an authority creates a notice, it tags it with one or more CPV codes describing the contract.
How the numbering works
A CPV code has up to nine digits, in the format XX000000-Y:
- The first two digits identify the division (the broad area).
- The third digit narrows to a group.
- The fourth to a class.
- The fifth to a category.
- The last three digits (before the dash) add finer precision.
- The ninth digit, after the dash, is a verification (check) digit.
The deeper you go, the more specific the code. For example, a division covers a whole field like IT or construction; add more digits and you narrow to a particular product or service within it. As a rule, the more zeros at the end, the broader the code.
Where CPV codes come from
CPV was established by Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002 and updated by Regulation (EC) No 213/2008, which set the version still in use. Although it originated in EU procurement, the UK has retained CPV under the Procurement Act 2023 — notices created on the central digital platform still ask for CPV codes. So the system remains the common reference for classifying UK public contracts.
How to use CPV codes to find work
CPV codes are a filtering shortcut:
- Identify the codes that describe what you sell. Most suppliers map to a handful of codes across one or two divisions.
- Search by those codes rather than by keyword alone. Keywords miss notices that use different wording; the code doesn't.
- Use both broad and specific codes. A broad division-level code casts a wide net; specific codes cut the noise.
One warning from experience: CPV tagging is inconsistent, and it is worse in some categories than others. Training and workforce development notices in particular get filed under half a dozen plausible codes depending on who wrote the notice. Search by code families and keywords, or you will miss relevant work that was simply tagged differently.
Frequently asked questions
What does CPV stand for?
Common Procurement Vocabulary — a standard classification system for describing the goods, works and services bought in public procurement.
How many digits is a CPV code?
Up to nine: an eight-digit code plus a ninth verification (check) digit, written as XX000000-Y.
Are CPV codes still used in the UK?
Yes. The UK retained CPV under the Procurement Act 2023; notices on the central digital platform are still tagged with CPV codes.
How do I find the right CPV code?
Start from the broad division that matches your field, then narrow down. Browse the official CPV list, and cross-check by looking at the codes used on two or three notices you know are relevant to you.