NACE 20.5 – Manufacture of Other Chemical Products | Public Tenders

NACE 20.5: other chemical products in public tenders. Adhesives, explosives, inks and specialty materials for the public sector.

Definition: NACE 20.5 covers the manufacture of other chemical products such as adhesives, essential oils, pyrotechnics and explosives, photosensitive materials, inks and chemicals for specific technical applications. This group covers a broad spectrum of specialised chemical products.

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

What does NACE 20.5 cover?

NACE 20.5 (Manufacture of other chemical products) classifies manufacturers of specialised chemical products that are not allocated to other groups in Division 20 — from adhesives to pyrotechnics to photographic chemicals.

Group 20.5 within Section C and Division 20 covers:

Class	Title	Typical Products
20.51	Manufacture of explosives	Industrial explosives, gunpowder, detonators
20.52	Manufacture of glues	Industrial and office adhesives, hot-melt adhesives
20.53	Manufacture of essential oils	Fragrances, flavourings for industrial use
20.59	Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.	Inks, toners, photosensitive materials, chemicals for electroplating

Public tenders: specialty chemicals

Products from NACE 20.5 are required in specific public procurement areas — from explosives procurement for security authorities to inks and toners for printing facilities.

Typical contract types

Toner and printer cartridges: Procurement for office printers and copiers in public authorities and institutions; one of the highest-volume IT-accessory areas
Adhesives and sealants: Technical adhesives for maintenance and repair of public facilities and vehicles
Explosives and pyrotechnics: Procurement by the armed forces, police, mining authorities and blasting services
Electroplating chemicals: Chemicals for surface treatment in public workshops and undertakings
Photographic chemicals: Processing chemicals for archives and documentation departments (declining due to digitalisation)
Fireworks for official events: Pyrotechnics for state celebrations, municipal events

Thresholds and procedure types

Toner cartridges and printer accessories are often awarded as standalone supply tenders; for larger framework agreements, EU thresholds can be reached. Explosives procurement is subject to strict security requirements and is often conducted under the restricted procedure.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 20.5

CPV Code	Title	Application
30125100	Toner cartridges	Printer accessories for office equipment
30125110	Toner for laser printers	Laser-printer cartridges
24910000	Glues	Industrial and technical adhesives
24600000	Explosives	Blasting and security chemicals
35300000	Weapons, ammunition and associated parts	Security-authority procurement
24952000	Waxes and fats for technical purposes	Lubricants, preservatives

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

Procurement needs in NACE 20.5 are very varied: the armed forces and police (explosives, pyrotechnics), all authorities with printing infrastructure (toner and inks), public workshops and undertakings (adhesives, electroplating chemicals) and archive and documentation offices (specialty materials). Central purchasing bodies conclude framework agreements for toner and printer cartridges, as this is a standardised bulk consumable.

Companies and bidders

Bidders in NACE 20.5 must consider:

Security evidence: For explosives: licence under SprengG (Germany) or the Pyrotechnics Act (Austria)
Product compatibility: Toner and inks must be certified for the printer models tendered
Original quality: Public contracting authorities frequently require original manufacturer quality or equivalent evidence
Environmentally sound disposal: Take-back and recycling programmes for toner cartridges

Frequently asked questions about NACE 20.5 and public tenders

Can public authorities tender non-original toner?
Yes, provided technical compatibility and print quality are demonstrated. Contracting authorities may not tender product designations that allow only one specific brand. Compatibility evidence by the bidder is sufficient as long as it proves the required quality.

Which authorisations do suppliers of explosives to public contracting authorities need?
Suppliers must hold a valid licence under the Explosives Act (Germany) or the relevant national law. Additional strict security vetting applies to personnel and storage sites. Contracts are often awarded under the negotiated procedure without prior publication where security-relevant grounds require it.

NACE 20.5 in context: Section C and Division 20

NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
NACE 20 – Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products: Parent division
NACE 20.4 – Cleaning and personal-care products: Related group
NACE 20.6 – Man-made fibres: 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.