NACE 14.2 – Manufacture of Articles of Fur | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 14.2 covers the manufacture of fur articles from genuine pelts as well as the processing and finishing of raw pelts into garments, accessories and decorative articles. This group is of only marginal importance in public procurement, with specific exceptions in the cultural sector.

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

What does NACE 14.2 cover?

NACE 14.2 (Manufacture of articles of fur) classifies businesses that process genuine animal pelts into garments and outfitting articles — a strongly declining sector with very limited relevance for public tenders.

Group 14.2 within Section C (Manufacturing) and Division 14 (Manufacture of wearing apparel) contains one class:

The sector is characterised by long-term declining demand owing to societal acceptance issues and animal-welfare debates. The public sector procures fur articles almost exclusively for historically grounded purposes in cultural operations (folk costumes, stage outfitting, museum pieces) or for traditional ceremonial apparel.

Public tenders: scope of NACE 14.2

Fur articles appear in public tenders extremely rarely, and where they do, exclusively in very specific cultural or traditional contexts.

Typical contract types

• Costume and stage apparel for theatre and opera: Public stages (state theatres, municipal theatres) procure historical costumes with fur trim for productions; tendered by municipal or state cultural institutions
• Museum restoration: Public museums may award restoration contracts for historical fur garments in collection holdings
• Representational and ceremonial apparel: In very rare cases, procurement of traditional folk-costume elements with fur trim for state representational purposes
• Research and testing: The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment or customs authorities may tender testing services for fur products (species protection, CITES compliance)

Specifics and restrictions

Public contracting authorities are increasingly subject to internal sustainability and animal-welfare guidelines that restrict or exclude the purchase of real-fur products. The European Commission and individual Member States are discussing further legal restrictions on fur farming and the fur trade. Many public contracting authorities use high-quality faux-fur alternatives for stage and costume purposes.

Thresholds and procedure types

Contracts in fur articles fall well below the EU thresholds owing to their rarity and specificity and are conducted nationally, frequently as negotiated procurement or restricted tender.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 14.2

Specific CPV codes exist for fur articles, but they are rarely used in public procurement practice.

Current tenders with these CPV codes are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms — but hits in the fur-articles segment are extremely rare.

For whom is NACE 14.2 relevant under procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

State and municipal theatres, opera houses and concert halls are the most relevant public contracting authorities for fur articles where historical costume productions require genuine fur materials. Public museums may rely on fur-processing services for restoration tasks. Customs authorities and species-protection authorities occasionally tender testing and expert services for fur articles as part of CITES enforcement.

Companies and bidders

Fur-article manufacturers and restorers in the public market should consider the following:

• Species-protection evidence: CITES compliance (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) for the fur species used; EU Species Protection Regulation (EC) No 338/97
• Sustainability and animal-welfare criteria: Public contracting authorities increasingly require evidence of animal-welfare compliant husbandry or prefer faux-fur alternatives
• Restoration expertise: For museum contracts, conservation expertise and references are required
• Supply-chain transparency: Proof of origin for fur material

NACE 14.2 in context: Section C and Division 14

NACE 14.2 is the smallest group within apparel Division 14 with the lowest public procurement relevance — it is nevertheless important to recognise for classification and statistical reasons.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 14 – Manufacture of wearing apparel: Parent division
• NACE 14.1 – Manufacture of wearing apparel: Highest-volume neighbouring group
• NACE 14.3 – Manufacture of knitted and crocheted apparel: Further group of Division 14

Frequently asked questions about NACE 14.2 and public tenders

May public bodies procure real fur?
There is no general legal prohibition on the public procurement of real fur articles in Germany or Austria. However, numerous municipalities and public institutions have adopted internal sustainability guidelines that exclude the purchase of real-fur products. There is currently no legal obligation to refuse, but the issue is under political debate.

How does CITES become relevant in public procurement of fur articles?
Where public bodies procure fur articles consisting of CITES-listed species, the required import and origin certificates must be available. Customs and nature-conservation authorities check compliance; contracting authorities should incorporate the corresponding evidence requirements into the tender documents.

What alternatives to real fur exist for public theatre costumes?
High-quality faux fur made from modern materials (acrylic, velour-grade polyester) offers visually convincing alternatives for stage costumes. Many public theatres have switched to faux fur, which is also less complex from a procurement-law perspective, as sustainability criteria are easier to meet.

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