NACE 17.2 – Manufacture of Articles of Paper and Paperboard | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 17.2 covers the manufacture of converted articles of paper and paperboard — including corrugated packaging, paper sacks, hygiene papers, and office and stationery products in paper. This group directly supplies the public sector with day-to-day consumables.

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

What does NACE 17.2 cover?

NACE 17.2 (Manufacture of articles of paper and paperboard) classifies businesses that produce finished goods from paper and paperboard inputs — from packaging to hygiene articles to office supplies.

Group 17.2 within Section C (Manufacturing) and Division 17 is structured as follows:

Public tenders: paper-converting articles

Articles from NACE 17.2 are procured by the public sector continuously — hygiene products, packaging and office supplies are used daily in nearly every authority, school or clinic.

Typical contract types

• Hygiene paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels and tissues for hospitals, schools and public authorities; frequently as multi-year framework agreements
• Office and stationery supplies: Notebooks, envelopes, folders, form books for administrative facilities
• Packaging materials: Cartons and boxes for storage, shipping and archiving in municipal undertakings
• Forms and printed matter: Official forms, application forms, decisions on specialty paper products
• Filter papers and technical papers: Procurement by laboratories, research institutions and technical services

CPV codes for NACE 17.2

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

Contracting authorities and bidders

Public contracting authorities

The most significant buyers of articles in NACE 17.2 in the public sector are hospitals and care facilities (hygiene papers), municipal cleaning services (consumables), schools and universities (office supplies), and central purchasing bodies that conclude bundled framework agreements for many user authorities. Sustainability requirements play an increasingly important role in this area.

Companies and bidders

Bidders from NACE 17.2 should consider the following when preparing tenders:

• Environmental certifications: Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel, FSC/PEFC are frequent requirements for hygiene papers and packaging
• Logistics capacity: Evidence of reliable, on-time supply capability for framework agreements
• Product range: Broad portfolio for different dispenser systems and applications
• Reference evidence: Previous supply contracts with public or comparable private buyers

Frequently asked questions about NACE 17.2 and public tenders

Are hygiene papers often tendered bundled with other products?
Yes, hygiene paper products are frequently awarded together with cleaning products or under facility-management tenders. Companies in NACE 17.2 either bid directly or act as subcontractors.

What role do sustainability criteria play for paper packaging?
Public contracting authorities are required to consider environmental aspects. For packaging materials, requirements are increasingly placed on recyclability, recycled-content share and circular-economy alignment. Bidders should have the corresponding product declarations and certificates ready.

NACE 17.2 in context: Section C and Division 17

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 17 – Manufacture of paper and paper products: Parent division
• NACE 17.1 – Manufacture of pulp, paper and paperboard: Upstream production stage

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