NACE 12 – Manufacture of Tobacco Products | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 12 covers the processing of tobacco into smoking products, roll-your-own tobacco, chewing tobacco and snuff. Public procurement relevance is limited but extends to state monopolies, customs administrations and forensic tasks.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: April 2026

What does NACE 12 cover?

NACE 12 (Manufacture of tobacco products) classifies businesses that process raw tobacco into smoking, chewing and snuff tobacco and related products — a specialised sector with limited but specific procurement relevance.

Public tenders – tobacco

Public contracts in the tobacco sector are rare but do arise in specific contexts such as customs administration, prisons and forensic investigations.

Typical contract types:

• Tobacco products for correctional facilities: In some countries, the provision of tobacco as part of inmate provisions
• Reference materials for customs inspection: Sample and comparison products for customs and tax authorities
• Forensic analysis materials: Tobacco products as reference materials for laboratories
• Market surveillance services: Sampling and analysis for regulatory authorities
• Tobacco tax stamp management: Technical systems for fiscal marking

Contracting authorities

The principal contracting authorities in the tobacco sector are:

• Correctional facilities: In certain countries, tobacco supply for prisoners
• Customs and tax authorities: Reference material, test purchases for market surveillance
• Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): Analytical services for tobacco products
• Federal Ministry of Health: Market surveillance and regulatory tasks

FAQ

Are there public tenders for tobacco products? Direct tobacco supplies in the public sector are very rare. Relevance arises primarily in reference materials, laboratory testing and regulatory market surveillance.

Which rules apply to tobacco under procurement law? Tobacco products are subject to special tax and health regulations (the German Tobacco Products Act, EU Tobacco Products Directive). Public procurement must incorporate these requirements into the specifications.

Related NACE entries:

• NACE C – Manufacturing
• NACE 12.0 – Manufacture of tobacco products
• NACE 11 – Manufacture of beverages
• NACE 10 – Manufacture of food products and animal feeds

Last updated: April 2026 All information provided without warranty. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.