NACE 27.3 – Manufacture of Wiring and Wiring Devices | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 27.3 covers the manufacture of wiring and wiring devices, including cables and wires, plug devices (plugs, sockets), switches, distribution boards and installation conduits as well as cable trays. These products form the basis of electrical installation in all public buildings and infrastructure facilities.

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

What does NACE 27.3 cover?

NACE 27.3 (Manufacture of wiring and wiring devices) classifies manufacturers of electrical connection and installation components needed in every new build, refurbishment and maintenance project for public properties.

Group 27.3 is broken down into the following classes:

Public contracting authorities relevant for NACE 27.3 are state building administrations (federal building agencies, regional building authorities), the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) and BAIUDBw, school building authorities (districts, cities), municipal housing companies, and public hospitals and universities.

Public Tenders: Scope of NACE 27.3

Electrical wiring devices are part of almost every construction and refurbishment measure on public buildings — they are tendered both directly as material supplies and as part of electrical installation works.

Typical Contract Types

• Electrical installation in new public buildings: Complete electrical installation for schools, town halls and administrative buildings as a trade lot within building construction projects
• Building refurbishment and electrical modernisation: Replacement of outdated electrical systems (aluminium wiring, obsolete surface-mounted installations) in existing public buildings
• Structured cabling (IT infrastructure): Data cables (Cat.6/7), patch panels and trunking for offices and schools
• Fibre rollout in public buildings: In-building optical fibre cabling for broadband internet connections in public authorities and educational institutions
• Cable trays in industrial facilities: Cable support systems for public wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations and energy generation facilities
• E-mobility charging infrastructure: Installation of wallboxes and charging columns including cable routing on public properties

Thresholds and Procedure Types

Electrical installation works are tendered as a construction works lot (EU threshold of EUR 5,538,000 for the overall contract; lot rules under § 3 (9) VOB/A-EU apply). Pure material supplies of cables fall under the supply threshold (EUR 221,000).

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 27.3

CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary), which must be specified in every notice on TED, bridge the NACE classification and the tender search.

Current tenders can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is NACE 27.3 relevant for in public procurement?

Public Contracting Authorities

State building administrations (state building offices, federal building company) are the central contracting authorities for electrical installation works in federal buildings. School authorities procure cabling works under the digital education funding programme (Digitalpakt). Municipal properties are managed by building and property offices, which tender refurbishment works. Network operators as utility contracting entities procure cables for network expansion.

Companies and Bidders

Electrical contractors and cable suppliers must typically provide the following evidence:

• Trade authorisation: Registered electrical specialist business (trade register entry, master craftsman requirement in the electrical trade)
• VDE certifications: Test certificates for the cable types used (VDE 0276, VDE 0285)
• Technical references: Comparable electrical installations completed in public buildings
• Listing in the installer registers: For grid connection works, registration with the responsible network operator is required

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 27.3 and Public Tenders

Are electrical installation works tendered as a separate lot?
Yes. Under § 97 (4) GWB and § 5 (2) VOB/A, construction works must in principle be split into lots by specialist trade. Electrical installation (ELT) is a stand-alone lot alongside heating, sanitation, ventilation and other building services trades.

How do I find current tenders for electrical installation works?
On TED via CPV code 45310000 (Electrical installation works). On regional procurement platforms (DTVP, subreport ELVIS) the numerous tenders below the EU threshold are published.

Which standards apply to electrical installations in public buildings?
The DIN VDE 0100 standard series (Erection of low-voltage installations) is authoritative, in particular VDE 0100-410 (Protective measures) and VDE 0100-520 (Selection of wiring systems). Additional special-building regulations of the federal states apply to public buildings.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 27 – Manufacture of electrical equipment: Parent division
• NACE 27.2 – Manufacture of batteries and accumulators: Energy storage
• NACE 27.4 – Manufacture of electric lighting equipment: LED lighting

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