NACE 32.5 – Manufacture of Medical and Dental Instruments and Supplies | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 32.5 covers the manufacture of medical, surgical, dental and veterinary instruments, apparatus and consumables, including orthopaedic aids and prostheses. 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 32.5 cover?

NACE 32.5 (Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies) classifies companies in the medical technology industry — one of the highest-volume and most regulatorily demanding procurement areas in public healthcare.

Group 32.5 covers the following product areas:

Public Tenders: Medical Technology Public Contracts

Hospitals, university clinics and public care institutions are among the largest buyers of medical technology products — public healthcare is one of the most significant markets for medical technology companies.

Typical Contract Types

• Major medical equipment procurement: Imaging devices (MRI, CT, X-ray), ventilators, surgical robots for university clinics and district hospitals
• Consumables (framework agreements): Multi-year framework agreements for surgical instruments, single-use materials, dressings and diagnostics
• Dental technology fit-out: Complete fit-out of dental departments in university clinics and district hospitals
• Assistive devices supply: Prostheses, orthoses and rehabilitation aids via health insurance funds and social security providers
• Laboratory equipment: Laboratory equipment, reagents and diagnostic systems for clinical laboratories and public health authorities

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 32.5

Contracting Authorities and Bidders

Public Contracting Authorities

University clinics and public hospitals are the largest single buyers of medical technology. Central purchasing groups (e.g. ASKÖ, procurement groups of the federal states) bundle the demand of multiple clinics. Social security providers (in Austria: ÖGK, SVS; in Germany: SHI fund structures) tender assistive device supply. The Federal Ministry of Health procures for crisis preparedness and epidemic prevention.

Bidders and Suitability Requirements

• Approvals: CE marking under the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR 2017/745) is a mandatory prerequisite; Class III products require Notified Body certification
• Quality management system: ISO 13485 (Medical devices QMS) is the industry standard and is frequently required
• Technical capability: Reference lists of comparable supplies, service network and spare parts supply
• Biocompatibility evidence: Clinical evaluations and evidence of biological compatibility under ISO 10993

FAQ

Which procurement procedures are customary for complex medical devices? For technically demanding medical devices (e.g. MRI, surgical robots), the competitive procedure with negotiation or the competitive dialogue is frequently chosen in order to coordinate technical requirements with the market. Consumables are usually tendered as framework agreements under the open procedure.

Must medical devices for public procurement have MDR certification? Yes, since the application of the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR 2017/745), all medical devices placed on the EU market must meet the MDR requirements and bear the corresponding CE marking. Contracting authorities may not procure products without valid MDR conformity.

NACE 32.5 in context: Section C and Division 32

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 32 – Other manufacturing: Parent division
• NACE 32.4 – Manufacture of games and toys: Adjacent group
• NACE 32.9 – Other manufacturing n.e.c.: 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.