NACE 15.1 – Manufacture of Leather and Leather Goods, except Footwear | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 15.1 covers the tanning and dressing of leather as well as the manufacture of leather goods other than footwear, including leather equipment items, bags, belts, saddlery and technical leather products. The group is relevant for the public procurement of police and military equipment and official outfittings.

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

What does NACE 15.1 cover?

NACE 15.1 (Manufacture of leather and leather goods, except footwear) classifies businesses that process animal hides into leather and manufacture consumer and equipment articles from it — with particular relevance for the public procurement of operational equipment.

Group 15.1 within Section C (Manufacturing) and Division 15 (Manufacture of leather, leather goods and footwear) is structured into two classes:

In the public procurement context, the relevant items are above all leather equipment for police and military (belt kits, holsters, belt pouches), equestrian equipment for mounted police units and technical leather components for operational equipment.

Public tenders: scope of NACE 15.1

Leather products are procured in the public sector primarily as part of police and military equipment, in service outfittings and for representational purposes.

Typical contract types

• Police leather equipment: Belt kits, belt pouches, holsters, baton holders — tendered by police headquarters and state interior ministries
• Military leather equipment: Pistol belts, ammunition pouches, leather components of field gear — procured by BAAINBw
• Equestrian equipment for police horses: Saddles, bridles, snaffles and leather straps for mounted police units; municipal and state procurement
• Leather belts and belt kits for uniforms: Standard outfit for security authorities of all kinds
• Upholstery material for public vehicles and furniture: Leather covers for emergency-service and police vehicles and for representational furniture in public authorities
• Technical leather for fire services: Leather reinforcements in gloves and helmets; leather components in historical firefighter uniforms

Thresholds and procedure types

Leather-goods tenders are mostly supply contracts and fall below the EU thresholds for individual procurement. National framework agreements for police or armed forces, however, can reach higher volumes and require EU-wide tendering.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 15.1

CPV codes for leather goods sit in the area of clothing and equipment; police and military equipment have their own codes.

Current tenders with these CPV codes are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

For whom is NACE 15.1 relevant under procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

State police forces and the Procurement Office of the BMI procure leather equipment for enforcement officers. BAAINBw coordinates military leather equipment for the Bundeswehr. Municipal mounted police units and state police forces with mounted units tender saddlery. Public representational institutions (state chancelleries, embassies) procure leather furniture and upholstery. In Austria, the Army Logistics Centre coordinates leather-equipment procurement for the Bundesheer.

Companies and bidders

Leather-goods manufacturers and saddlers in the public market should consider:

• Material specifications: Grain-leather or full-grain leather requirements; wet-white tanning for specific protective functions
• REACH compliance: Prohibited chemicals in leather manufacture (chromium VI compounds, certain dyes)
• Certifications: ISO 9001 for quality assurance; industry-specific leather standards where applicable
• Craftsmanship evidence: Frequently required for saddlery; references from previous official contracts
• Supply-chain evidence: Animal-welfare standards for raw-hide sourcing; EU rules on animal husbandry

NACE 15.1 in context: Section C and Division 15

NACE 15.1, together with NACE 15.2, makes up Division 15 (Leather, leather goods and footwear) — both groups are relevant for the public operational equipment of security authorities.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 15 – Leather, leather goods and footwear: Parent division (where available)
• NACE 15.2 – Manufacture of footwear: Closely related neighbouring group
• NACE 14.1 – Manufacture of wearing apparel: Procurement context for full uniform outfittings

Frequently asked questions about NACE 15.1 and public tenders

Are police belt kits and holsters tendered individually or as a package?
Police leather equipment is often tendered as part of an overall operational-equipment package covering belt kits, holsters, pouches and further accessories. Individual items may also be awarded as separate framework agreements.

What role does faux leather play in public tenders?
Faux leather and synthetic alternatives are increasingly accepted, or even preferred, as a substitute for real leather in public tenders where technical requirements are met. Sustainability criteria and animal-welfare considerations favour this trend, without real leather being excluded generally.

Is there particular CITES relevance for leather equipment?
Only where leather from protected species (e.g. crocodile leather, snake leather) is used. Standard leather from cattle, pig or sheep is not subject to CITES restrictions. For exotic leather types, corresponding evidence of origin is required.

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