NACE 27.5 – Manufacture of Domestic Appliances | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 27.5 covers the manufacture of domestic appliances, including large household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, ovens) and small household appliances (coffee machines, toasters, vacuum cleaners, irons). In the public sector, large appliances for communal facilities are especially relevant.

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

What does NACE 27.5 cover?

NACE 27.5 (Manufacture of domestic appliances) classifies manufacturers and suppliers of equipment for communal kitchens, laundries and household furnishings in public institutions — from school canteens to refugee accommodation.

Group 27.5 is broken down into the following classes:

Public contracting authorities relevant for NACE 27.5 are the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and regional reception facilities, public care home operators (Caritas, AWO under municipal sponsorship), school and nursery kitchens, the Bundeswehr (military catering), municipal homeless shelters and public youth welfare facilities.

Public Tenders: Scope of NACE 27.5

Public institutions with catering and care responsibilities — schools, nurseries, care homes, asylum-seeker accommodation and Bundeswehr sites — are significant buyers of domestic and commercial kitchen appliances.

Typical Contract Types

• Initial equipment for refugee accommodation: Refrigerators, electric cookers, washing machines and small appliances for newly set up communal accommodation (federal-state reception facilities and municipal follow-on accommodation)
• Kitchen equipment for schools and nurseries: Equipment for school canteens and nursery kitchens (combi steamers, dishwashers, cold rooms)
• Laundry for public care facilities: Industrial washing machines and tumble dryers for care homes and clinics under municipal sponsorship
• Bundeswehr troop catering: Field kitchen equipment, troop kitchens and communal catering equipment for Bundeswehr sites
• Homeless shelters and dormitories: Basic equipment with electrical appliances for municipal emergency shelters and social facilities
• Public sector kitchenette refurbishment: Renewal of tea kitchens and break rooms in administrative buildings

Thresholds and Procedure Types

Domestic appliances are tendered as supply contracts (EU threshold EUR 221,000). For initial equipment of larger facilities (e.g. regional reception centres with hundreds of residents), framework agreements are often concluded. In cases of urgent need (e.g. sudden high refugee arrivals), a negotiated procedure without prior publication on grounds of extreme urgency may be permissible.

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 27.5

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 27.5 relevant for in public procurement?

Public Contracting Authorities

Regional refugee reception authorities (state reception facilities) and municipal social welfare departments are significant single buyers for initial equipment when refugee movements are strong. Municipal care home operators and non-profit welfare organisations under public sponsorship procure laundry and kitchen equipment as part of refurbishment projects. The Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment procures field kitchen equipment and catering supplies.

Companies and Bidders

Manufacturers and dealers of domestic appliances must typically provide the following evidence:

• Energy consumption labelling: EU energy label (Regulation (EU) 2017/1369) is mandatory; contracting authorities frequently require minimum energy efficiency classes (A or better)
• Ecodesign conformity: Evidence of compliance with the Ecodesign requirements for domestic appliances
• CE marking: Pursuant to the Low Voltage and EMC Directives
• Warranty and after-sales service: A nationwide service network as a suitability requirement for larger framework agreements

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 27.5 and Public Tenders

Must public bodies consider energy efficiency when procuring domestic appliances?
Yes. Under the German Act on the Eco-design of Energy-Related Products (EVPG) and the EU Procurement Directive, contracting authorities are required to procure energy-efficient products. The German Federal Environment Agency publishes procurement recommendations with specific minimum requirements for domestic appliances.

How are domestic appliances procured for refugee accommodation?
For planned admissions, regular tendering is used (framework agreement or single contract). In the case of unforeseen arrivals, direct award or an accelerated procedure may be justified. Many federal states use central framework agreements for the initial equipment of reception facilities.

Are there particular requirements when procuring washing machines for care homes?
Care homes generally need machines with hygiene rinse programmes according to standards (RKI recommendations, DIN EN 14065 for laundry hygiene). These requirements must be clearly specified in the technical specifications; ordinary domestic appliances are usually not sufficient.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 27 – Manufacture of electrical equipment: Parent division
• NACE 27.4 – Manufacture of electric lighting equipment: Lighting
• NACE 27.9 – Manufacture of other electrical equipment: Signalling equipment, welding equipment

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