NACE 32.9 – Other Manufacturing n.e.c. | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 32.9 covers the manufacture of products that cannot be assigned to any other group of manufacturing — including writing and drawing implements, brooms and brushes, candles, labels, buttons and rescue equipment. The group belongs to Section C and Division 32.

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

What does NACE 32.9 cover?

NACE 32.9 (Manufacturing n.e.c.) is a residual group for products outside the specific manufacturing categories — it covers a heterogeneous range from everyday articles to specialist products of significant relevance for public procurement.

Group 32.9 is broken down into two classes with diverse product areas:

Contracting authorities regularly procure office supplies, cleaning utensils, safety equipment and labelling materials from this group.

Public Tenders: Office Supplies and Specialist Products Public Contracts

Despite the heterogeneity of group 32.9, certain product areas — in particular office and stationery as well as cleaning utensils — are among the standard procurement of practically all public institutions.

Typical Contract Types

• Office and stationery: Pens, paper, staplers, hole punches, adhesive tape and general office supplies for administrations — frequently as framework agreements via central purchasing bodies
• Cleaning utensils: Brooms, brushes, mops and cleaning equipment for municipal cleaning services and public buildings
• Safety and rescue equipment: Life jackets, safety lines and emergency equipment for fire services, water rescue and civil protection
• Signage and labels: Information signs, name plates, shelf labels for authorities and public institutions
• Protective equipment: Protective gloves, safety helmets and basic PPE, where not falling under more specific NACE codes

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 32.9

Contracting Authorities and Bidders

Public Contracting Authorities

Central purchasing bodies at federal and regional level regularly conclude framework agreements for office material and cleaning utensils. Fire services, THW and civil protection authorities procure rescue equipment from NACE 32.9 areas. Municipalities procure signage material and cleaning utensils for public buildings and streets.

Bidders and Suitability Requirements

• Supply capability: For framework agreements, secured supply capacity for the entire contract term must be evidenced
• Product conformity: CE marking and relevant standards (e.g. EN 343 for protective clothing, EN 388 for protective gloves)
• Environmental standards: Environmental labels (Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel) and recyclate content are increasingly required
• Logistics: Reliable delivery times and minimum order quantities aligned with the public-sector demand structure

FAQ

Why are office supplies framework agreements often tendered EU-wide? Central purchasing bodies bundle the annual demand of all affiliated authorities. If the total value of such a framework agreement exceeds the EU threshold (for supply contracts: EUR 221,000 or EUR 431,000 for utility contracting entities, as of 2024/2025), an EU-wide notice on TED is mandatory.

Can SMEs participate in major framework agreements for office supplies? Yes, lot division (e.g. by product group or region) promotes SME participation. Bidding consortia allow small providers to join together and bid jointly. In addition, call-off framework agreements can be structured without a minimum call-off obligation, which enables flexible competition.

NACE 32.9 in context: Section C and Division 32

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 32 – Other manufacturing: Parent division
• NACE 32.5 – Manufacture of medical instruments: Adjacent group
• NACE 33 – Repair and installation of machinery and equipment: Adjacent division

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