NACE 26 – Manufacture of Computer, Electronic and Optical Products | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 26 covers the manufacture of computer equipment, electronic components, telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, measuring instruments, medical devices and optical instruments. This division represents one of the most important supply areas in public procurement — from IT equipment in schools to medical devices in hospitals.

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

What does NACE 26 cover?

NACE 26 (Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products) classifies manufacturers of technological products that are among the most strategically important procurement categories for the public sector.

Division 26 within Section C (Manufacturing) is broken down into eight groups:

Public tenders: scope of activity NACE 26

Public contracting authorities procure IT hardware, medical devices and communications technology on a significant scale — NACE 26 is, by volume, among the largest procurement categories of the public sector in Europe.

Typical contract types

• IT equipment for educational institutions: laptops, tablets, interactive whiteboards, printers for schools and higher-education institutions
• Server infrastructure: data-centre components, network equipment for government and municipal data centres
• Telecommunications equipment: mobile devices, telephone systems, network components for administrations
• Medical devices: diagnostic devices (MRI, CT, ultrasound), therapy equipment for hospitals
• Measuring and laboratory technology: scientific instruments for research institutions and environmental authorities
• Security and surveillance technology: cameras, access-control systems, situational-awareness technology for authorities

Thresholds and procurement procedures

Supply contracts for products from NACE 26 are subject to the EU-wide tendering obligation from EUR 221,000 (classic contracting authorities) or EUR 443,000 (utility contracting authorities). Owing to the broad manufacturer market, awards are predominantly made in the open procedure. Framework agreements over multiple years are common practice in IT hardware.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 26

CPV codes from the 30000000 (IT and office equipment) and 33000000 (medical devices) ranges are the primary search criteria for tenders with a NACE 26 link.

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

For contracting authorities and bidders

Public contracting authorities

Public contracting authorities in the NACE 26 area cover all levels of public administration: municipalities (IT for schools, citizen services), states (higher-education institutions, research institutes), federal authorities (IT procurement for federal bodies), hospitals (medical devices) and research institutions (laboratory technology). Central procurement bodies such as the Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BeschA) or the Federal Procurement Agency in Austria negotiate framework agreements for IT hardware, from which subordinate authorities can call off.

Companies and bidders

Manufacturers and traders in the NACE 26 area must typically provide the following evidence in public tenders:

• Technical capability: product datasheets, certifications (CE marking, EU type approval), reference lists
• Economic capability: annual turnover, credit evidence, sureties for large framework agreements
• Standards compliance: compliance with IT-security requirements (BSI Grundschutz, Common Criteria), medical-device law (MDR 2017/745)
• Supply-chain due diligence: evidence of compliance with the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) for large contracts
• Environmental requirements: Energy Star, EPEAT, TCO certification for IT products in the public sector

Frequently asked questions on NACE 26 and public tenders

Must IT products meet specific security standards in public tenders?
Yes — for use in government authorities, requirements of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI Grundschutz Compendium) or equivalent standards often apply. For EU classifications, Common Criteria certifications apply. Medical devices must meet the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR).

How are large IT framework agreements for public authorities structured?
Central procurement bodies conclude framework agreements with several suppliers, from which subordinate offices procure via call-off orders. Individual call-off orders can be well below the EU threshold, while the overall framework agreement is tendered EU-wide.

Can foreign manufacturers participate in German or Austrian tenders?
Yes — EU-wide tenders are open to bidders from all EU Member States. In addition, bidders from countries with GPA membership (Government Procurement Agreement of the WTO) can participate, including the USA, Japan, South Korea and others.

What environmental requirements apply to IT hardware in public tenders?
Public contracting authorities are increasingly applying environmental criteria: Energy Star conformity, EPEAT registration, TCO certification and requirements for recyclability. In Germany, the administrative regulations for sustainable procurement require environmental criteria to be considered in IT procurement.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: parent section with all manufacturing activities
• NACE 27 – Manufacture of electrical equipment: electric motors, batteries, installation devices
• NACE 28 – Manufacture of machinery and equipment: general and sector-specific machinery
• NACE 26.1 – Electronic components: semiconductors, circuit boards, chips

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