NACE 14 – Manufacture of Wearing Apparel | Public Tenders
NACE 14: manufacture of wearing apparel in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and contract types for uniforms, protective clothing and service apparel.
Definition: NACE 14 covers the manufacture of outer and inner apparel, workwear and protective clothing, as well as accessories made from textile fabric, leather and artificial leather. Public procurement primarily concerns uniforms, service clothing and personal protective equipment.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: April 2026
What does NACE 14 cover?
NACE 14 (Manufacture of wearing apparel) classifies manufacturers of outerwear, underwear and accessories — a sector with significant relevance for public procurement of service clothing and protective equipment.
| Group | Title | Typical Goods |
|---|---|---|
| 14.1 | Manufacture of wearing apparel, except fur apparel | Jackets, trousers, shirts, underwear, sportswear |
| 14.2 | Manufacture of articles of fur | Fur apparel, fur accessories |
| 14.3 | Manufacture of knitted and crocheted apparel | Knitted pullovers, hosiery, hats |
Public tenders – wearing apparel
Apparel tenders are among the highest-volume procurements of public security authorities and the military. Uniforms and protective clothing are regularly tendered EU-wide.
Typical contract types:
- Uniforms for police, armed forces, fire services: Service and operational uniforms in large quantities
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): High-visibility jackets, work protective clothing for municipalities and works yards
- Official apparel and judicial robes: Specialised clothing for the judiciary and public authorities
- Sportswear for public institutions: Schools, sports clubs receiving public funding
- Workwear for nursing staff: Tunics, trousers, gowns for hospitals
| CPV Code | Title | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 18000000 | Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories | Apparel in general |
| 18100000 | Occupational, specialist and protective clothing | Uniforms, protective clothing |
| 18110000 | Occupational clothing | Service clothing for public authorities |
| 18130000 | Specialist clothing | Fire services, THW, customs |
| 18200000 | Outerwear | Coats, jackets, suits |
| 35113400 | Protective and safety clothing | PPE for public-sector employees |
Contracting authorities
The principal contracting authorities for apparel are:
- Armed forces and military: Large-volume procurement of uniforms and equipment clothing
- Police forces (federal and state): Operational and service uniforms
- Fire services and emergency services: Operational and protective clothing
- Municipal works yards and highway maintenance: High-visibility and workwear
- Hospitals and care facilities: Workwear for nursing staff
FAQ
Which standards apply to protective clothing in public tenders? PPE must comply with the relevant EN standards (e.g. EN ISO 20471 for high-visibility clothing, EN 469 for firefighter protective clothing). CE marking and test certificates from notified bodies are mandatory.
Are uniform procurements tendered EU-wide? Yes, uniform procurement for the armed forces, police or fire services typically exceeds the EU thresholds for supply contracts (EUR 221,000). These are published on TED and open to European bidders.
Related NACE entries:
- NACE C – Manufacturing
- NACE 14.1 – Manufacture of wearing apparel
- NACE 14.3 – Manufacture of knitted and crocheted apparel
- NACE 13 – Manufacture of textiles
- NACE 15 – Manufacture of leather and related products
Last updated: April 2026 All information provided without warranty. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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