NACE 32.4 – Manufacture of Games and Toys | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 32.4 covers the manufacture of games and toys, including dolls, plush toys, building sets, board games, electric model railways and toy vehicles. 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 32.4 cover?

NACE 32.4 (Manufacture of games and toys) classifies companies that produce toys and games for children and adults — an industry with constant public procurement demand from educational and care institutions.

Group 32.4 covers the following product categories:

Public Tenders: Toys Public Contracts

Public day care centres, after-school clubs, schools and youth centres regularly procure pedagogically valuable toys — often in bundled framework tenders at municipal or regional level.

Typical Contract Types

• Nursery initial equipment: Complete toy fit-out for newly opened or refurbished day care centres including outdoor play equipment
• School after-school clubs and afternoon care: Play material for common rooms and leisure spaces in school after-school clubs
• Libraries and reading areas: Board games, learning games and book/toy combinations for children's areas in libraries
• Senior centres: Occupational games, memory training games and therapeutic toys for public elderly care facilities
• Youth centres: Games consoles, table games and creative materials for publicly funded youth clubs

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 32.4

Contracting Authorities and Bidders

Public Contracting Authorities

Municipal providers of day care centres and after-school clubs are the largest buyers in the toy area. At regional level, framework tenders can bundle procurement for all municipal facilities. Public schools procure learning games as teaching aids. Social services departments procure for youth and senior facilities.

Bidders and Suitability Requirements

• Product safety: Toys must comply with the European Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) and bear the CE mark
• Pollutant-free: Compliance with the REACH Regulation and specific limits for toys (e.g. heavy metals, plasticisers)
• Age-appropriate labelling: Clear age recommendations and safety instructions on all products
• Sustainability evidence: FSC certification for wooden toys, recycled materials and eco-friendly packaging are increasingly required

FAQ

Which safety requirements apply to toys in public institutions? Toys for day care centres and schools must mandatorily comply with the EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC), bear the CE mark and meet the relevant EN standards. Contracting authorities can stipulate additional requirements in the tender, such as low-pollutant paints, robust materials for continuous use and cleanability (hygiene requirements).

May specific manufacturers be prescribed in public tenders? Procurement law generally prohibits naming manufacturers or products. Instead, functional or technical requirements must be formulated. If a manufacturer is exceptionally named, the addition "or equivalent" must be supplemented.

NACE 32.4 in context: Section C and Division 32

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 32 – Other manufacturing: Parent division
• NACE 32.3 – Manufacture of sports goods: Adjacent group
• NACE 32.5 – Manufacture of medical instruments: 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.