What you need to know: CPV stands for Common Procurement Vocabulary. Every above-threshold UK public sector contract must include CPV codes. The system has approximately 9,000 codes organised in a hierarchy from broad divisions (2 digits) to specific categories (8 digits). Using the right CPV codes in PSIP alerts is the most reliable way to capture every relevant contract in your sector.
What is a CPV code?
CPV stands for Common Procurement Vocabulary — the standardised classification system used across the UK and European Union to describe the subject of public procurement contracts. Every contract above the relevant threshold published on Find a Tender must include at least one CPV code.
Think of CPV codes as a taxonomy for everything a public sector buyer might purchase — from agricultural equipment to zero-emission vehicles, and everything in between. The system was originally designed for the EU but the UK retained it after Brexit and continues to use it under the Procurement Act 2023.
How the CPV hierarchy works
CPV codes follow a four-level hierarchy. Each level narrows the classification further:
Division
45000000
2 digits
Construction work — the broadest level. Covers all construction activity across the UK.
Group
45200000
4 digits
Complete or part construction work and civil engineering — narrows to major construction categories.
Class
45210000
6 digits
Building construction work — further refined to specific construction types.
Category
45213000
8 digits
Construction work for commercial buildings — the most specific level, used on individual contracts.
How to use CPV codes in PSIP
Find your sector's codes
Use the tables below to identify the CPV codes relevant to your business. Start with the 8-digit category codes for your specific services, then also add the broader 6 or 4-digit codes to catch contracts where buyers have used a broader classification.
Enter multiple codes in your alert
In PSIP, you can enter multiple CPV codes in a single alert. Entering both 90910000 (cleaning services) and 90919200 (office cleaning) ensures you capture contracts classified at both the broad and specific level.
Combine CPV with keyword filters
Some buyers do not always classify contracts precisely. Combining your CPV codes with relevant keywords (e.g. "cleaning", "FM", "facilities") gives you a belt-and-braces approach that catches contracts regardless of how the buyer classified them.
Check what codes competitors use
Browse contract awards in your sector on PSIP or Contracts Finder to see which CPV codes buyers are actually using for contracts similar to yours. Award notices always show the CPV codes used.
Key CPV codes by sector
These are the most commonly used CPV codes in each sector for UK public sector procurement. Use these as a starting point — then check actual contracts in your area to see which codes buyers are applying.
IT & Digital
Facilities Management
Construction
Professional Services
Healthcare & NHS
Education & Training
Transport
Primary vs supplementary CPV codes
Most contracts have one primary CPV code and may have several supplementary codes. Understanding the difference matters for your alerts:
Primary CPV code
The main classification that best describes the overall contract. This is the code most search tools and alert systems use as the primary filter. Always ensure your primary codes are in your PSIP alert.
Supplementary CPV codes
Additional codes covering secondary aspects of the contract. An integrated FM contract might have 79993000 as primary and 90910000 (cleaning) and 79710000 (security) as supplementary. PSIP searches across both primary and supplementary codes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CPV code?
CPV stands for Common Procurement Vocabulary. A CPV code is an 8-digit numerical code used to classify the subject of a public sector contract in the UK and across Europe. Every above-threshold public sector tender must include at least one CPV code. The codes follow a hierarchical structure — the first two digits indicate the division, the next two the group, the next two the class, and the last two the category.
How do I find the right CPV code for my business?
Search the CPV code list on the EU Publications Office website (simap.ted.europa.eu/cpv) or use the UK Government's CPV code search tool. Enter keywords describing your service or product. You can also look up CPV codes used on contracts you have previously bid for, or check what codes appear on existing contracts in your sector on Contracts Finder or Find a Tender.
Do I need to use CPV codes in my PSIP alerts?
Yes, and they are one of the most powerful filters in PSIP. Enter the CPV codes for your service categories and PSIP will return every public sector contract published under those codes across all seven UK procurement portals. Using multiple related CPV codes in your alert ensures you catch every relevant contract, including those where buyers have used slightly different classifications.
Can one contract have multiple CPV codes?
Yes. Most contracts have a primary CPV code (the main classification) and one or more supplementary CPV codes covering additional aspects of the requirement. For example, an integrated FM contract might have 79993000 (facilities management) as its primary code and 90910000 (cleaning) and 79710000 (security) as supplementary codes.
Are CPV codes still used after Brexit?
Yes. The UK retained the CPV classification system after Brexit and continues to use it for all public procurement under the Procurement Act 2023. The Contracts Finder and Find a Tender portals both use CPV codes, as do PCS Scotland, Sell2Wales, eTendersNI, ProContract and YORtender.
What is the difference between a division and a category in CPV codes?
The CPV hierarchy has four levels. Divisions are the broadest (two-digit) level — for example, 45000000 covers all construction work. Groups narrow to four digits (e.g. 45200000 is complete or part construction work and civil engineering). Classes narrow to six digits. Categories are the most specific eight-digit codes (e.g. 45213000 is construction work for commercial buildings).
How many CPV codes are there?
The CPV system contains approximately 9,000 individual codes organised into 45 divisions. The divisions cover everything from agricultural products (03000000) through to miscellaneous services (98000000). Not all 9,000 codes are in common use — public sector buyers tend to cluster around a few hundred frequently used codes for each category.
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