NACE 46 – Wholesale Trade, Except of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles | Public Tenders
NACE 46 Wholesale trade: public contracts for goods procurement, office supplies, medical products and food. CPV codes and contracting authorities.
Definition: NACE 46 covers wholesale trade in a broad range of goods — from agricultural products through food and consumer goods to investment goods and raw materials. The public sector sources numerous items through wholesalers for authorities, schools, hospitals and public-service facilities.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 46 cover?
NACE 46 (Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles) classifies traders who supply goods to commercial customers — among them many public bodies.
| Group | Title | Typical services |
|---|---|---|
| 46.1 | Wholesale on a fee or contract basis | Agency-based trading, agents for all types of goods |
| 46.2 | Wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals | Cereals, seed, fertilisers, animal feed |
| 46.3 | Wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco | Food deliveries for canteens, hospitals, schools |
| 46.4 | Wholesale of household goods | Textiles, household goods, paper, office supplies |
| 46.5 | Wholesale of information and communication equipment | Computers, software, telecommunications |
| 46.6 | Wholesale of other machinery, equipment and supplies | Industrial and office machinery, medical technology |
| 46.7 | Other specialised wholesale | Fuels, metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals |
| 46.9 | Non-specialised wholesale trade | Mixed range, procurement service providers |
Public Tenders – Wholesale Trade
Public contracting authorities source a wide range of goods through wholesalers and framework supply agreements:
- Office supplies and consumables (paper, toner, stationery — framework agreements)
- Food deliveries for canteens, school meals, hospitals
- Medical products and consumables for clinics and healthcare facilities
- IT hardware and accessories (laptops, printers, peripherals)
- Cleaning products and hygiene items (annual quota contracts)
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) for authorities, fire brigades and healthcare facilities
Relevant CPV codes
| CPV code | Title | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 30190000 | Various office equipment and supplies | Office supplies in general |
| 15000000 | Food, beverages, tobacco and related products | Food delivery |
| 33140000 | Medical consumables | Hospital supplies |
| 30213000 | Personal computers (laptops) | IT equipment |
| 39830000 | Cleaning products | Hygiene and cleaning |
| 18140000 | Workwear accessories | Protective equipment |
Contracting Authorities
- Federal, state and municipal authorities (general government needs)
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities (medical products, food)
- Schools and educational institutions (office supplies, equipment)
- Federal armed forces and police (equipment, PPE, catering)
- Central procurement bodies (Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, BBL, Federal Procurement Agency)
FAQ
Do public contracting authorities use framework agreements for wholesale goods? Yes. Central procurement bodies (e.g. Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Federal Procurement Agency) conclude framework agreements for frequently needed goods, from which subordinate authorities can call off without their own procedure. This saves effort and achieves volume advantages.
What thresholds apply to public-sector goods deliveries? For supply contracts, the EU threshold is EUR 221,000 (top federal authorities: EUR 143,000) and for utility contracting entities EUR 443,000 (as of 2024/2025). Below these values, national procurement rules (UVgO, ÖNORM A 2050) apply.
- NACE G – Trade: Parent section
- NACE 45 – Motor vehicle trade: Vehicle procurement
- NACE 47 – Retail trade: Retail trade except of motor vehicles
Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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