NACE 26.7 – Manufacture of Optical Instruments and Photographic Equipment | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 26.7 covers the manufacture of optical and photographic instruments, including microscopes, binoculars, telescopic sights, surveying optics, magnifiers, security cameras and photographic equipment. In a public-procurement context, forensic optics, surveillance technology and scientific laboratory microscopes are particularly relevant.

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

What does NACE 26.7 cover?

NACE 26.7 (Manufacture of optical instruments and photographic equipment) classifies manufacturers of precision optics used by police, military, forensics, science and surveillance — a technologically demanding segment with high public-procurement volume.

Group 26.7 is broken down into the following classes:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 26.7 include state criminal-investigation offices (LKA) and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the armed forces and the BAAINBw procurement office, customs authorities (main customs offices), universities and research institutions and forestry and nature-conservation authorities.

Public tenders: scope of activity NACE 26.7

Optical instruments are indispensable in numerous government task areas — from law enforcement (forensics) through national defence to scientific research at higher-education institutions.

Typical contract types

• Forensic optics and crime-scene documentation: macro lenses, forensic magnifiers, crime-scene documentation cameras, digital evidence-recording systems for criminal police and LKA
• Surveillance and observation systems: IP cameras, PTZ cameras, thermal-imaging cameras for border surveillance, the prison service and public safety
• Military optics: telescopic sights, night-vision goggles (NVG), thermal-imaging devices (FLIR), laser rangefinders for the armed forces
• Scientific microscopy: light, fluorescence and electron microscopes for universities, research institutes and food-control laboratories
• Geodesy and surveying: total stations, theodolites, laser scanners for cadastral offices and road-planning authorities
• Customs-control technology: inspection cameras, endoscopes, X-ray systems for customs authorities

Thresholds and procurement procedures

As supply contracts, the EU threshold of EUR 221,000 applies for higher federal authorities. Military optical equipment may be subject to defence procurement law (VSVgV), which entails specific procedural rules.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 26.7

The bridge between the NACE classification and the tender search is formed by the CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary), which must be stated in every notice on TED.

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

For whom is NACE 26.7 relevant in procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the state criminal-investigation offices (LKA) are significant contracting authorities for forensic optical instruments and crime-scene documentation technology. The BAAINBw procures military optics for the armed forces. Universities and higher-education institutions are important contracting authorities for scientific microscopy and laboratory technology. Customs authorities of the federal finance administration procure inspection optics.

Companies and bidders

Manufacturers and suppliers of optical instruments must typically provide the following evidence:

• Export control: military optical equipment is subject to export control under the German War Weapons Control Act (KWKG); companies require approvals under the Foreign Trade Ordinance (AWV)
• Security screening: for defence-relevant goods, security clearance may be required
• Technical standards: ISO 10934 (microscopes), EN standards for security cameras
• Reference evidence: supplies to authorities or scientific institutions of comparable scale

Frequently asked questions on NACE 26.7 and public tenders

How are surveillance cameras tendered for public spaces?
Video-surveillance systems for railway stations, government buildings or public squares are frequently tendered as a turnkey solution including installation, cabling, video-management software and maintenance. Data-protection requirements (GDPR, state police laws) must be observed.

How do I find tenders for forensic optics?
Search on TED by CPV code 38510000 (microscopes) or 38650000 (photographic equipment). Forensic specialist procurement is frequently handled by procurement offices of state interior ministries.

Are night-vision devices for the armed forces subject to normal procurement law?
Military specialist technology such as night-vision and thermal-imaging devices is subject to procurement law for defence and security contracts (VSVgV), which includes specific secrecy and security requirements.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: parent section
• NACE 26 – Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products: parent division
• NACE 26.6 – Manufacture of irradiation, electromedical and electrotherapeutic equipment: medical technology
• NACE 26.8 – Manufacture of magnetic and optical media: storage media

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