NACE 32.1 – Manufacture of Jewellery and Related Articles | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 32.1 covers the manufacture of jewellery and precious metal goods, including gold- and silver-smith works, watches, coins, gemstone and diamond jewellery, as well as costume jewellery. The group belongs to Section C (Manufacturing) and Division 32.

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

What does NACE 32.1 cover?

NACE 32.1 (Manufacture of jewellery, bijouterie and related articles) classifies companies that produce precious metal goods, jewellery, decorations and decorative items from precious metals or precious stones — a niche industry with specialist public procurement demand.

Group 32.1 is broken down into two classes:

Public contracting authorities are primarily state mints, state chancelleries and orders chancelleries, ministries for representative items, cities and municipalities for municipal awards, and organisations that confer medals and prizes.

Public Tenders: Jewellery and Precious Metal Goods Public Contracts

Although NACE 32.1 represents a comparatively small procurement segment, there is a regular public need for decorations, medals, plaques and representative items.

Typical Contract Types

• State decorations and awards: Manufacture of orders of merit, Federal Crosses of Merit and decorations for state honours systems
• Commemorative coins and medals: Coins for anniversaries, sporting events, city anniversaries or cultural occasions
• Chains of office and insignia: Mayoral chains, rectoral chains and other insignia of office for municipalities and universities
• Representative gifts: Official gifts for state visits and delegations
• Prizes and trophies: Cups, plaques and awards for publicly funded competitions

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 32.1

Contracting Authorities and Bidders

Public Contracting Authorities

State mints (e.g. Münze Österreich AG, Staatliche Münze Berlin) are partly public undertakings themselves and partly award subcontracts. Orders chancelleries and presidential offices tender the production of awards. Municipalities commission local jewellery dealers or medal makers for municipal honours.

Bidders and Suitability Requirements

• Craft qualification: Master goldsmith certificate or comparable qualification, specialist knowledge of precious metals
• References: Demonstrated experience in manufacturing comparable products (decorations, medals, representative items)
• Quality assurance: Fineness marks, compliance with national precious metal marking regulations
• Discretion and confidentiality: Often contractually regulated for state contracts

FAQ

Which procurement procedures are used for the procurement of decorations and medals? Due to the specialist nature and often small quantities, negotiated award procedures or negotiated procedures without prior competition are often used where the service can be provided by only one or a few providers. For larger contracts (e.g. major state decoration productions), the open procedure is customary.

Are commemorative coins subject to public procurement law? State mints classified as public undertakings or utility contracting entities are subject to procurement law. However, the striking of legal tender is frequently exempted from the general procurement rules, as it constitutes a sovereign task.

NACE 32.1 in context: Section C and Division 32

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 32 – Other manufacturing: Parent division
• NACE 32.2 – Manufacture of musical instruments: Adjacent group
• NACE 32.5 – Manufacture of medical instruments and supplies: Further group in Division 32

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