NACE 15.2 – Manufacture of Footwear | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 15.2 covers the manufacture of footwear of any type from any material — from leather shoes to rubber boots to technical safety footwear. This group is represented in public procurement through demand for service footwear for security authorities and for safety shoes for occupational safety in public undertakings.

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

What does NACE 15.2 cover?

NACE 15.2 (Manufacture of footwear) classifies businesses that produce footwear — from mass-market goods to technical specialty shoes procured as personal protective equipment (PPE) for public-sector employees.

Group 15.2 within Section C (Manufacturing) and Division 15 (Manufacture of leather, leather goods and footwear) contains one class:

Public contracting authorities procure footwear in three central areas: service footwear for uniformed staff (police, armed forces, fire services, customs), safety footwear for employees in public undertakings and works yards, and orthopaedic protective footwear for staff with particular requirements.

Public tenders: scope of NACE 15.2

Footwear is among the regularly tendered components of service apparel — in particular, service footwear for police and armed forces and safety footwear for public undertakings is procured in large quantities under framework agreements.

Typical contract types

• Police service footwear: Lace-up boots, oxfords and sports shoes for patrol duty and office duty; tendered by state police and the Procurement Office of the BMI
• Military combat boots: Operational boots to Bundeswehr specification (e.g. KSK boots), winter boots, pilot high-top boots — procured by BAAINBw
• Firefighter protective boots: Fire-protection boots to EN 15090, emergency-service shoes — municipal fire services and professional fire services
• Safety footwear for public undertakings: Protective shoes in categories S1–S3 to EN ISO 20345 for works yards, municipal utilities, cleaning staff, technical services
• Rubber boots for environment and construction: Procured by waterway and shipping authorities, civil-engineering offices and fire services for wet work
• Orthotic and orthopaedic shoes: For staff with certified foot conditions; procured through authority medical officers and welfare offices

Thresholds and procedure types

Service-footwear framework agreements for larger authorities (e.g. state police) can exceed the EU threshold for supply contracts (EUR 221,000) and are then published on TED. Smaller procurements (individual authority units, works yards) are awarded nationally or locally.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 15.2

Footwear is differentiated in the CPV system by function and user group; safety and service footwear 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 15.2 relevant under procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

The Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) coordinates service-footwear framework agreements for the Federal Police and federal authorities. BAAINBw procures military boots and specialty footwear for the Bundeswehr. State police forces award service-footwear contracts independently or in coordination for enforcement officers. Municipal works yards, municipal utilities and municipal cleaning operations tender safety footwear. Professional fire services and volunteer fire services procure protective boots to EN 15090. In Austria, the Army Logistics Centre coordinates footwear procurement for the Bundesheer; police procurement is conducted through the Interior Ministry.

Companies and bidders

Footwear manufacturers and traders in the public market must typically meet the following requirements:

• CE marking as PPE: Safety footwear to EN ISO 20345 requires CE marking in Category II; firefighter boots to EN 15090
• Technical supply conditions: Military boots are subject to BAAINBw Technical Supply Conditions; police boots to state-specific specifications
• Quality test evidence: Test reports from accredited test laboratories (DAkkS) for safety-relevant properties
• Ergonomics and wear comfort: Ergonomic assessments are increasingly used as award criteria for service footwear
• Availability and delivery logistics: Framework agreements require various sizes, widths and reliable replenishment

NACE 15.2 in context: Section C and Division 15

NACE 15.2 complements NACE 15.1 to make up the full leather and footwear Division 15 — together they form the procurement basis for the footwear and leather equipment of security authorities.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 15 – Leather, leather goods and footwear: Parent division
• NACE 15.1 – Manufacture of leather and leather goods: Complementary neighbouring group
• NACE 14.1 – Manufacture of wearing apparel: Procurement context for full security-authority outfittings

Frequently asked questions about NACE 15.2 and public tenders

How is police footwear tendered — centrally or decentrally?
The procurement structure varies between federal states. Some states bundle footwear procurement through central procurement offices of the interior ministries; other states let police headquarters tender independently. The BMI framework agreement covers federal authorities.

Which standard applies to safety footwear in the public service?
The decisive standard is EN ISO 20345 (safety footwear with steel toe-cap) in classes S1, S2 and S3. For special applications, additional standards apply: EN ISO 20347 (occupational footwear without steel toe-cap), EN 15090 (fire services), EN ISO 17249 (chainsaw cut protection). The choice of protection class follows the risk assessment.

Can foreign footwear producers participate in German public tenders?
Yes, EU-wide tenders are open to all EU bidders. For special-made military procurement, security-policy considerations can effectively narrow the bidder pool without formal exclusion being possible (exception: VSVgV procedure for classified information).

How long do framework agreements for service footwear run?
Typically four years (the statutory maximum term under section 21 VgV), partly with an optional extension of up to 12 months. Within the contract term, officers can procure their personal service shoe at public expense (allocation intervals of 1–3 years depending on the authority).

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