eForms in Public Procurement

eForms: EU-wide standard notice forms in force since October 2023. Replace earlier standard forms; machine-readable; mandatory above the thresholds. EU 2019/1780.

Definition: eForms are the EU-wide mandatory, machine-readable notice forms for public award procedures above the thresholds, applicable since October 2023. They replace the previous standard forms and are based on Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1780.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1780, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2453

What are eForms?

eForms are the new EU-wide standard notice forms for contracting authorities above the thresholds. They have been mandatory since 25 October 2023 and have fully replaced the previously used standard forms. They are the cornerstone of the digitalisation of European public procurement: whereas the earlier forms were primarily optimised for human reading, eForms are designed from the ground up as machine-readable, structured XML data sets.

eForms comprise 40 different form types covering all phases of an award procedure:

Prior Information Notices (PINs)
Contract Notices (CNs)
Contract Award Notices (CANs)
Notices for concessions and utilities procurement
Notices in the defence and security area

Significance and function

eForms are the most important instrument for standardising and digitalising European public procurement and are intended to form the basis for data-driven procurement policy in the EU.

Structured data fields

eForms consist of more than 170 standardised data fields, many of which must be entered as structured codes rather than free text. This enables fully automated analysis and comparability of notices across all EU Member States. Key structured fields include:

CPV codes – classification of the subject matter
Award criteria – weightings and descriptions in standardised form
Thresholds and contract values – encoded numerically
Durations and deadlines – machine-readable in ISO format
Contractor information – after award

National subfields (BT fields)

In addition to the EU-wide mandatory fields, eForms also provide so-called national subfields, which Member States can use for specific national requirements. Austria and Germany have used this option to capture national specifics of their procurement law.

Mandatory use since October 2023

Since 25 October 2023, eForms have been mandatory for all new notices in the EU above the thresholds. Notices still based on the old standard forms are no longer accepted by the TED platform. The transition phase during which both formats could be used in parallel ended on that date.

TED and eSenders

eForms notices are published via the TED platform (Tenders Electronic Daily), which contracting authorities access directly or through so-called eSender systems. eSenders are technical intermediaries – typically procurement platforms or software providers – that create and submit eForms-compliant notices on behalf of contracting authorities. In Austria and Germany, the major procurement platforms have switched their systems over to eForms.

Legal basis

eForms rest on a clear European legal framework.

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1780 – Core eForms regulation setting the structure and mandatory fields
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2453 – Technical adjustments and extensions
Articles 48–50 of Directive 2014/24/EU – Legal basis for the publication obligation itself

National implementation – Austria

In Austria, the technical implementation of the eForms requirement was carried out via the procurement platforms of the federation and the federal states and through the connection to the European TED infrastructure. Bundesbeschaffung GmbH (BBG) and the state platforms have adapted their systems accordingly. The Austrian official gazette (WiEReG-connected systems) automatically takes over eForms data for national publications.

National implementation – Germany

In Germany, the procurement platforms (DTVP, Vergabe24, state eVergabe systems) have supported eForms since October 2023. The Federal Ministry of the Interior has published guides on the national application of eForms. The German national subfields (DE-specific BT fields) cover specifics such as the distinction between VOB/A, VgV and UVgO.

Related terms

FAQ

Does the eForms obligation also apply below the EU thresholds? No. eForms are mandatory exclusively for award procedures above the EU thresholds. Below the EU thresholds, the relevant national publication rules apply, which do not impose an eForms obligation.

How can contracting authorities create eForms-compliant notices? Contracting authorities can create eForms directly via the TED web interface or use the systems of their procurement platform, which is connected to TED through an eSender. Most procurement platforms in Austria and Germany have supported the creation of eForms since October 2023.

What happens if a contracting authority does not fill in an eForm correctly? Missing mandatory fields result in the notice being rejected by TED. Substantively incorrect information can make the notice challengeable in review proceedings if bidders are harmed in their rights as a result.

Last updated: January 2026 All information provided without warranty. For legally binding advice please contact a law firm specialising in procurement law.