NACE 43.1 – Demolition and Site Preparation | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 43.1 covers the economic activity of demolishing buildings and structures as well as all preparatory works that first open up a construction site — including earthworks, soil excavation, unexploded ordnance clearance and contaminated-site remediation. This group is required as an upstream service in almost every larger public building and civil engineering project.

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

What does NACE 43.1 cover?

NACE 43.1 (Demolition and site preparation) classifies companies providing demolition, earthworks and site servicing — an indispensable preliminary phase in public construction, regularly tendered for refurbishments, infrastructure projects and new-build measures.

Group 43.1 within Section F (Construction) and Division 43 (Specialised construction activities) is divided into two classes:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 43.1 are in particular federal authorities, federal states, municipalities, municipal construction and property offices, the Federal Institute for Real Estate (BImA), the Federal Real Estate Company (BIG) and infrastructure and transport operators in the preparation of major construction projects.

Public Tenders: Scope of NACE 43.1

In public procurement, demolition and earthworks are typically tendered as independent trade lots or as part of larger construction projects — especially for refurbishment schemes, infrastructure extensions and the revitalisation of properties.

Typical contract types

• Building demolition and dismantling: Demolition of existing buildings on federal property, municipal sites and within infrastructure projects (e.g. bridge demolition before new construction)
• Pollutant abatement: Removal and proper disposal of asbestos, mineral wool, PAH-containing tar, PCB and other pollutants from existing structures
• Earthworks and soil excavation: Excavation for basements, tunnels, sewers and foundations; site modelling for road construction and open spaces
• Unexploded ordnance clearance: Detection, recovery and disposal of Second World War ordnance — particularly relevant for construction works in urban areas and on former military sites
• Contaminated-site remediation: Soil exchange and treatment on contaminated sites (landfills, former industrial sites), often tendered in combination with earthworks
• Bored-pile works and shoring: Construction of excavation shoring, sheet piling and bored piles to secure excavation works

Thresholds and procedure types

Contracts under NACE 43.1 fall, depending on project scope, above or below the EU threshold for works contracts (EUR 5,538,000, as of 2024/2025). Standalone demolition or earthworks lots are often tendered nationally, while as part of larger overall projects they form part of EU-wide procurements. Common procedure types are the open procedure and — where low bidder numbers are expected — the restricted procedure following a call for participation.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 43.1

The link between NACE classification and tender search is provided by CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary), which must be stated in every TED notice.

Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is NACE 43.1 relevant for in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

Demolition and earthworks are demanded by a broad range of contracting authorities. In Austria, these are primarily the Federal Real Estate Company (BIG), municipalities, state construction directorates and ÖBB within infrastructure projects. In Germany, municipalities, the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR), the Federal Institute for Real Estate (BImA) and road authorities regularly tender corresponding services. In unexploded ordnance clearance, defence ministries and specialised authorities (e.g. state UXO disposal services) are also active as contracting authorities.

Companies and bidders

Companies under NACE 43.1 typically must provide the following suitability evidence for EU-wide tenders:

• Trade authorisation: Trade licence as a demolition or earthworks contractor; for pollutant abatement and unexploded ordnance clearance, specific regulatory permits are required
• Technical capacity: Reference lists of comparable projects (demolition volume, pollutant quantities, ordnance quantities)
• Economic and financial capacity: Annual turnover, insurance evidence (liability, environmental liability)
• Certifications: TRGS 519 (asbestos abatement), blasting certificate (for blasting work), unexploded ordnance clearance certificates

For complex projects with multiple trades (e.g. demolition + soil remediation + new construction), joint bidders and the use of subcontractors are common.

NACE 43.1 in context: Section F and Division 43

NACE 43.1 is part of Division 43 (Specialised construction activities) within the construction Section F.

• NACE F – Construction: Parent section covering all construction activities
• NACE 43 – Specialised construction activities: Division covering demolition, installation and finishing
• NACE 43.2 – Electrical, plumbing and other installation activities: Electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning
• NACE 43.3 – Building completion and finishing: Plastering, screed, flooring, painting, carpentry

Frequently asked questions on NACE 43.1 and public tenders

Which companies fall under NACE 43.1?
Demolition contractors, civil engineering contractors focused on earthworks, unexploded ordnance clearance firms and contaminated-site remediators where these activities represent the company's economic focus. Classification is based on the predominant economic activity.

How do I find current tenders for demolition and earthworks?
EU-wide tenders are available on TED by CPV search (e.g. 45110000, 45112000, 45111213). National tenders below the thresholds can be found on state and municipal platforms and in official gazettes.

Does my company need special authorisations for unexploded ordnance clearance?
Yes. UXO clearance is strictly regulated in Germany and Austria. In Germany, the state UXO disposal services issue the authorisations; companies require state-recognised qualified personnel and evidence of equipment and insurance. The specific requirements vary by federal state.

Are demolition works frequently tendered as a separate lot?
Yes. For public construction projects, lot division is generally required under § 97 (4) GWB or § 76 (2) BVergG 2018. Demolition and earthworks are therefore regularly awarded as a separate trade lot, which also gives smaller specialist companies access.

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