NACE 25.5 – Forging, Pressing, Stamping and Roll-forming of Metal | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 25.5 covers the manufacture of forgings, stampings, die-formed parts and sintered metal parts by hot and cold forming — manufacturing processes for high-strength metal components in vehicle and mechanical engineering.

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

What does NACE 25.5 cover?

NACE 25.5 (Forgings, stampings, die-formed parts) classifies forming technology as a manufacturing process for high-performance metal components — essential precursors for vehicles, machinery and infrastructure.

Forgings are produced by hot or cold forming under pressure. Drop forging allows the manufacture of high-strength, dimensionally accurate components with a good microstructure. Sintered parts are pressed from metal powder and sintered (powder metallurgy).

Public tenders: forgings and forming technology

Forgings feed into public procurement via vehicles, machinery and infrastructure components — primarily as part of complete deliveries, rarely as direct material tenders.

Typical contract types

• Vehicle parts for public fleets: axle components, braking components, steering parts for public commercial vehicles
• Rail-vehicle components: wheelset shafts, couplings and bogie components for ÖBB/DB vehicles
• Fittings and shaped pieces: forgings for pipeline fittings (flanges, valve housings) in utility infrastructure
• Military components: high-strength forgings for vehicles and weapons systems of the armed forces
• Machinery components: forgings for construction machinery and municipal vehicles

Relevant CPV codes

Contracting authorities and bidders

Public contracting authorities

Since forgings are mostly installed in higher-level systems (vehicles, machinery), public procurement is mainly indirect via systems suppliers. Direct purchases occur in spare-parts supply (maintenance contracts for vehicles and plant), in defence procurement and in infrastructure projects.

Bidders and eligibility requirements

• Material test certificates: EN 10204 inspection certificates type 3.1 or 3.2 for safety-relevant parts
• Process certifications: IATF 16949 for automotive suppliers, EN 9100 for aerospace components
• Dimensional evidence: measurement reports, initial sample inspection reports (PPAP)
• Material qualifications: OEM (vehicle manufacturer) approvals as a qualified supplier

Frequently asked questions on NACE 25.5 and public tenders

Can forging works participate directly in public tenders? Yes, particularly for spare-parts tenders for existing vehicle or machine fleets and for infrastructure components. For direct awards, qualification as a listed supplier with the respective contracting authority is often a prerequisite.

How are technical specifications for forgings set in tenders? Contracting authorities reference standards (e.g. EN 10250 for open-die forgings), their own technical supply specifications or OEM specifications. For safety-relevant parts, material certificates and test reports are mandatory.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: parent section
• NACE 25 – Fabricated metal products: parent division
• NACE 24.5 – Casting of metals: related primary-forming process
• NACE 25.6 – Treatment and coating of metals: post-treatment of forgings

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