# What are CPV codes, and why use them together with keywords?

- Title: CPV codes: what they are and how to use them — Sinal
- URL: https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/answers/cpv-codes
- Language: en
- Updated: 2026-10-25
- Alternate (pt-PT): https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/pt/respostas/codigos-cpv (markdown: https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/pt/respostas/codigos-cpv.md)
- Alternate (es-ES): https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/es/respuestas/codigos-cpv (markdown: https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/es/respuestas/codigos-cpv.md)

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[CPV](https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/glossary/cpv-code) (Common Procurement Vocabulary) is the single EU classification for public procurement, set by Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002. Procurement references to a nomenclature must use it, and the [contract notice](https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/glossary/contract-notice) carries the CPV codes of the contract. Use the code to find a category and keywords to catch wording the code does not express. Neither proves a notice fits you: the notice does.

Reviewed 25 October 2026 · Sinal team

## What a code is

The CPV is a tree of codes of 8 digits plus a check digit. The first two digits identify the division, the first three the group, the first four the class and the first five the category; the last three give more precision (Regulation 2195/2002, Annex I). Directive 2014/24/EU requires references to nomenclatures in public procurement to use the CPV (art. 23(1)), and a contract notice gives the CPV codes, per [lot](https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/glossary/lot) where there are lots (Annex V part C).

A code labels the subject of the contract. It does not say the supplier is eligible, that the buyer wants your exact solution or who wins.

## Where keywords help

Buyers describe needs in their own words, in Portuguese or Spanish, with local terms and acronyms the code title does not use. A keyword catches those. It also brings noise when a word is broad or appears only in an annex.

## A routine that works

- Start with the CPV division and group closest to what you sell, then add neighbouring codes your offer overlaps.
- Add two or three phrases a buyer would write, in each language you work in, and note new wording you find in the documents.
- Review results rather than assuming silence means no opportunity, and write down the query so you can tune it.

## How to read a Sinal match

Sinal puts every notice in one shape (buyer, object, CPV code, value, deadline) and links to the original record. A match is a reason to open the notice, not an eligibility decision. Check which sources are covered on the Coverage page.

## How do I find the right CPV code?

Start with the CPV division and group closest to what you sell, add the neighbouring codes your offer overlaps and add two or three phrases a buyer would write. A code labels the subject of the contract; it does not say the supplier is eligible.

Primary sources

- [Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002, Common Procurement Vocabulary (consolidated 10 July 2022) ↗](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02002R2195-20220710) — art. 1, Annex I (read 25 October 2026)
- [Directive 2014/24/EU ↗](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32014L0024) — art. 23(1), Annex V part C (read 25 October 2026)

General information, not legal advice. The notice and the applicable national law decide.

Sources

- [TED ↗](https://ted.europa.eu/)
- [PLACSP ↗](https://contrataciondelestado.es/)
- [BASE PT ↗](https://www.base.gov.pt/)

### [What is the difference between BASE.gov.pt and PLACSP?](https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/answers/base-vs-placsp)

### [Can a company bid for public contracts across the Portugal–Spain border?](https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/answers/bidding-across-the-portugal-spain-border)

### [When must a tender be published in TED rather than only nationally?](https://sinal-pme.babete.pt/answers/eu-thresholds-2026)