NACE 18.2 – Reproduction of Recorded Media | Public Tenders

NACE 18.2: reproduction of recorded media in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and procurement examples at a glance.

Definition: NACE 18.2 covers the reproduction of recorded audio, video and data media — that is, the mass copying of CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays and other physical media. While a niche segment in public procurement, this group remains relevant for educational, archive and information media.

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

What does NACE 18.2 cover?

NACE 18.2 (Reproduction of recorded media) classifies businesses that produce physical media in quantity to order — an area in decline due to digitalisation but still present in specific public procurement needs.

Group 18.2 within Section C and Division 18 covers:

Class	Title	Typical Products
18.20	Reproduction of recorded media	CD/DVD pressing, USB sticks with content, archive media

Public contracting authorities use these services particularly for training materials, archive media, official information-carrier packages and historical documentation.

Public tenders: media reproduction

While digital distribution channels are increasingly displacing physical media, certain areas of the public sector still have demand for reproduced data carriers — particularly where physical media are legally or technically required.

Typical contract types

Training and learning media: DVDs or USB carriers with learning programmes for educational institutions lacking continuous internet connectivity
Archive media: Recorded optical media for long-term stable data archiving in archives and libraries
Information packages: CD/DVD inserts to official publications, statute compilations or official manuals
Civil protection and emergency planning: Offline data carriers for network-independent information provision
Cultural-heritage digitisation projects: Reproduction of digitised historical holdings on physical carriers

Thresholds and procedure types

Contracts in this area generally fall below the national thresholds and are awarded as direct awards or national tenders. Larger procurements for nationwide programmes can be tendered EU-wide.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 18.2

CPV Code	Title	Application
30234000	Storage media	Procurement of storage media in general
30234100	Magnetic discs	Archive media
30234200	Optical discs	CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays
32581200	Data transmission media	Recorded data carriers for information distribution
79820000	Services related to printing	Reproduction services including media
22462000	Promotional material	Information carriers for campaigns

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

Relevant contracting authorities in NACE 18.2 are archives and libraries (digitisation projects), education ministries and school authorities (learning media), federal authorities with an information remit (e.g. the Federal Agency for Civic Education in Germany, federal ministries with publication mandates), and public-sector broadcasting and media institutions.

Companies and bidders

Providers of reproduction services must typically demonstrate the following in public procurement:

Production capacity: Sufficient capacity for the contractually agreed quantity and delivery date
Quality assurance: Defect-free recording and packaging, batch-by-batch quality controls
Copyright compliance: Evidence that no third-party rights are infringed
Environmental requirements: Recyclable packaging, environmentally friendly production processes

Frequently asked questions about NACE 18.2 and public tenders

Are there still relevant public contracts for CD/DVD reproduction?
Yes, although declining. Particularly archives, civil-protection authorities and educational institutions in less digitised regions continue to commission physical media production. USB carriers and special long-term archive media (e.g. M-Disc) are increasingly demanded.

Can companies in NACE 18.2 also offer digital reproduction services?
Digital reproduction and licensing do not fall under NACE 18.2 but under other classifications. Public contracting authorities procure digital media via IT and licensing tenders. Companies can, however, position themselves more broadly and offer both.

NACE 18.2 in context: Section C and Division 18

NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
NACE 18 – Printing and reproduction of recorded media: Parent division
NACE 18.1 – Printing and service activities related to printing: Related group

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