NACE 47.3 – Retail Sale of Automotive Fuel in Specialised Stores | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 47.3 covers the retail sale of fuels of all types (petrol, diesel, LPG, natural gas) at filling stations. In public procurement, this group is particularly relevant for the supply of public fleets, fire engines, emergency vehicles, construction machinery and other publicly operated vehicle fleets with motor and combustible fuels.

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

What does NACE 47.3 cover?

NACE 47.3 (Retail sale of automotive fuel) classifies filling station operators and fuel traders that sell motor and combustible fuels to end users and commercial customers at stationary facilities — an area with a direct link to the mobility and operational readiness of public fleets.

Group 47.3 consists of a single class:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 47.3 are in particular municipalities and districts with their own vehicle fleets, fire brigades, police authorities, emergency services, the armed forces, road maintenance authorities, public transport operators (city buses, rail) and depots and civil engineering offices.

Public Tenders: Scope of NACE 47.3

Fuel supply to public fleets is a recurring and predictable procurement need — public contracting authorities regularly tender framework agreements for fuel card usage, fuel supply and refuelling of special vehicles.

Typical contract types

• Fuel cards and fleet cards: Framework agreements for fuel cards that enable authorised persons to refuel cashlessly at network partners — particularly relevant for municipal vehicles, emergency services and government fleets
• Direct fuel supply: Delivery of diesel and heating oil directly to municipal depots, depots or fire stations using tankers
• Alternative fuels: Supply of natural gas (CNG), LPG and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) for converted public fleets under municipal climate action programmes
• Supply of construction machinery: Refuelling of excavators, rollers and transponders on construction sites of public infrastructure projects
• Lubricants and additives: Supply of engine oils, hydraulic fluids and operating supplies for public vehicle fleets
• Heating oil for public buildings: Delivery of heating oil for municipal buildings without district heating connection

Thresholds and procedure types

Fuel supply contracts are supply contracts and are subject to the EU threshold (EUR 221,000 for central contracting authorities, as of 2024/2025). Due to price volatility for fuels, contracts are frequently provided with price-escalation clauses (indexation to crude oil prices or Platts quotations). Terms of framework agreements for fuel cards are typically two to four years.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 47.3

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

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

Who is NACE 47.3 relevant for in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

The range of public contracting authorities in the fuel segment is considerable: municipalities operate depots, buses and commercial vehicles; fire brigades and emergency services require reliable fuel supply around the clock; the federal armed forces and federal police maintain their own vehicle fleets with specific fuel arrangements. In Austria, the Federal Procurement Agency (BBG) coordinates central fuel card framework agreements for federal bodies. In Germany, federal authorities and the armed forces tender fuel contracts through the Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BeschA) or the Bundeswehr Fleet Service GmbH.

Companies and bidders

Filling station operators, oil companies and fuel wholesalers under NACE 47.3 typically must provide the following suitability evidence for public tenders:

• Trade authorisation: Trade licence for mineral oil products, regulatory authorisations for tank storage facilities
• Network density: Evidence of a sufficient filling station network in the required geographical area (particularly for fuel card tenders)
• Quality evidence: EN 590 conformity for diesel fuel, compliance with fuel specifications under DIN/ÖNORM
• Environmental and safety certifications: ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 or comparable evidence for the handling of hazardous substances
• References: Evidence of comparable supply contracts with public contracting authorities or large commercial fleets
• Price indexation systems: Technical capacity for automatic price adjustment based on recognised crude oil indices

For fuel card tenders, information on card technology, online evaluation tools and reporting obligations is regularly required.

NACE 47.3 in context: Section G and Division 47

NACE 47.3 is part of Division 47 (Retail trade) within Section G (Trade) — closely linked to energy supply (Section D) and transport services (Section H).

• NACE G – Trade: Parent section covering all trade activities
• NACE 47 – Retail trade: Division covering all stationary retail
• NACE 47.1 – Retail sale in non-specialised stores: Supermarkets and department stores
• NACE 47.4 – Retail sale of information and communication equipment: Electronics and IT specialist trade

Frequently asked questions on NACE 47.3 and public tenders

Which companies fall under NACE 47.3?
Filling station operators, mineral oil wholesalers and fuel suppliers offering motor and combustible fuels through stationary filling stations or by direct delivery. The decisive factor is the focus on the sale of fuels.

How do I find current tenders for fuel deliveries and fuel cards?
EU-wide tenders are available on TED by CPV search (e.g. 09100000 for fuels, 30163000 for fuel cards). National sub-threshold tenders can be found on municipal and state procurement portals.

How are fluctuating fuel prices handled in public contracts?
Usually through price-escalation clauses that link contract prices to recognised market indices (e.g. Platts diesel index, ÖAMTC price comparison). This protects both contracting authorities and bidders from extreme price developments.

Must fuel traders meet specific environmental requirements?
Yes, in particular regarding biofuel shares (Renewable Energy Directive, RED II/III), greenhouse gas reduction quotas and compliance with the Fuel Quality Directive (2009/30/EC). For tenders for alternative fuels (HVO, CNG, LPG), additional sustainability certifications apply.

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