Common Procurement Vocabulary
The Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) is a single classification system applicable to public procurement, to standardize the references used by contracting authorities and entities to describe the subject of their contracts.
The CPV consists of a main vocabulary and a supplementary vocabulary.
The main vocabulary is based on a tree structure comprising codes of up to nine digits associated with a wording that describes the supplies, works or services forming the subject of the contract.
The numerical code consists of 8 digits, subdivided as follows:
- the first two digits identify the divisions (XX000000-Y),
- the first three digits identify the groups (XXX00000-Y),
- the first four digits identify the classes (XXXX0000-Y),
- the first five digits identify the categories (XXXXX000-Y).
Each of the last three digits gives a greater degree of precision within each category. A ninth digit serves to verify the previous digits.
The supplementary vocabulary may be used to expand the description of the subject of a contract. The items are made up of an alphanumeric code with a corresponding wording allowing further details to be added regarding the specific nature or destination of the goods to be purchased.
The alphanumeric code is made up of:
- a first level comprising a letter corresponding to a section,
- a second level comprising a letter corresponding to a group,
- a third level comprising three digits corresponding to subdivisions.
The last digit serves to verify the previous digits.
The current version of the CPV was adopted through Commission Regulation (EC) No 213/2008 of 28 November 2007 amending Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) and Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on public procurement procedures, as regards the revision of the CPV.