Supplementary CPV Vocabulary

The supplementary CPV vocabulary works alongside the main CPV hierarchy to provide a richer description of what a contracting authority is procuring. While the main vocabulary identifies the type of product or service through a hierarchical numeric code, the supplementary vocabulary adds qualitative or descriptive attributes that refine the scope without altering the primary classification.

What is the Supplementary CPV Vocabulary?

The supplementary vocabulary is a parallel set of codes structured differently from the main CPV hierarchy. Each supplementary code consists of a letter followed by two digits and a check digit, for example FA03-7 (indicating a particular material specification) or DA01-9 (indicating a particular delivery arrangement). The letters identify groups of attributes: FA codes relate to material, DA codes to delivery, and so on.

Supplementary codes are used in the CPV additional object field of contract notices and can be combined with main object codes to give a more complete picture. For example, a main code of 34110000-1 (passenger cars) combined with supplementary code FA18-3 (diesel) would describe a procurement of diesel passenger cars without requiring a separate main code for each fuel type.

The supplementary vocabulary is defined in the same regulatory instrument as the main vocabulary, Regulation (EC) 213/2008, and updated as part of the CPV 2008 revision. Its use is optional for contracting authorities: they may add supplementary codes when they add useful precision, but they are not required to do so for every attribute of the procurement.

Why it matters for bidders

For most bidders, supplementary codes are a secondary consideration behind the main CPV hierarchy. However, in markets where product specifications matter significantly, such as vehicle procurement, construction materials, or food supplies, supplementary codes can help narrow a broad notice search to the genuinely relevant subset.

A supplier who monitors TED for vehicle contracts, for example, can combine a main code search in the 341 class range with a supplementary code filter for electric vehicles to separate electric fleet contracts from the broader pool of vehicle procurement notices. This kind of refined search reduces manual filtering time and improves the signal-to-noise ratio of opportunity monitoring.

Understanding supplementary codes also helps in interpreting the scope of a notice. When a contracting authority uses a broad main code and adds several supplementary codes, those supplementary codes clarify the intended specification. Reading them correctly can reveal whether a notice is genuinely relevant or marginal.

Example

A Polish catering company monitors food supply contracts under division 15 of the CPV main vocabulary. A hospital publishes a catering services notice with main code 55321000-6 (meal preparation services) and supplementary code FB08-0 (indicating a halal food specification). The supplementary code tells the supplier that this contract requires a specialist diet capability, allowing them to assess quickly whether to invest in the tender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are supplementary CPV codes required on all notices?

No. The supplementary vocabulary is optional. Contracting authorities use it when it adds meaningful precision to the contract description. Many notices carry no supplementary codes at all. Buyers are not penalised for omitting them, and omission is very common in practice.

Can I use supplementary codes to search for tenders on TED?

TED's advanced search interface allows filtering by supplementary CPV codes, though the functionality and its prominence vary across portal interfaces. For most bidders, searching on main CPV codes and then filtering results by keyword or supplementary code is the more practical approach.

Where can I find the full list of supplementary CPV codes?

The full supplementary vocabulary is published as an annex to Regulation (EC) 213/2008 and is available from the EUR-Lex database. The European Commission also publishes it alongside the main vocabulary in the official CPV reference documents.