NACE 74 – Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities | Public Tenders

NACE 74: Other professional activities in public tenders. Design, photography, translation and more — CPV codes and contracting authorities.

Definition: NACE 74 covers professional, scientific and technical activities not assigned to any other division of Section M — including industrial design, fashion design, photography, translation and interpreting, and specialised activities other than veterinary services.

What does NACE 74 cover?

NACE 74 (Other professional activities) groups together specialised creative and technical services — a heterogeneous area with regular procurement demand from public bodies.

Group	Title	Typical services
74.1	Specialised design activities (textile, jewellery, graphic and similar design)	Graphic design, corporate design, industrial design
74.2	Photographic activities	Documentary photography, event photography, aerial imaging
74.3	Translation and interpretation activities	Written translation, conference interpreting
74.9	Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c.	Patent agencies, expert witnesses, biological sampling

Public Tenders – Specialised Professional Activities

Public bodies and institutions regularly award contracts for design, translation, photography and expert-witness services — often via framework agreements.

Typical types of contract

Graphic design and corporate design: Design of publications, information material and exhibition design for public authorities
Translation and interpretation: Written translation of official documents, conference interpreting for international symposia
Photography and video production: Documentary photography, press photos and image films for public institutions
Expert-witness services: Court-appointed experts, technical surveyors, valuation reports
Patent matters: Patent searches, utility model protection for public research institutions

Relevant CPV codes

CPV Code	Title	Application
79530000	Translation services	Written specialist translation
79540000	Interpretation services	Conference and court interpreting
79550000	Typing, word-processing and desktop publishing services	Word processing, copy-editing
92111200	Production of advertising and information films	Image film, documentary film
79961000	Photographic services	Documentary photography, archival photography
74200000	Architectural design services	Design and styling

Contracting Authorities

Typical public contracting authorities in the field of NACE 74 are:

Federal ministries and federal agencies: Translation of legal acts, design of official publications
EU institutions: European Parliament, Commission — large translation and interpreting contracts
Courts and judicial authorities: Appointment of court experts and interpreters
Museums and cultural institutions: Exhibition design, photo documentation, catalogue design
Tourism authorities: Graphic and photographic work for marketing materials

FAQ

How are translation services typically awarded? For ongoing translation needs, contracting authorities enter into framework agreements with one or more providers, used through mini-competition or call-off procedures. Specialist translation (law, technology, medicine) is tendered separately by language and subject area.

Do expert witnesses need special authorisation for public-sector contracts? Court-sworn experts are listed in national expert registers. For out-of-court expert reports, requirements are more flexible — contracting authorities mostly require professional certificates and reference evidence.

NACE M – Professional, scientific and technical activities: Parent section
NACE 74.1 – Specialised design activities: Sub-group on graphic design
NACE 74.3 – Translation and interpretation activities: Sub-group
NACE 73 – Advertising and market research: Related division

Last updated: January 2026