NACE 81.2 – Cleaning Activities | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 81.2 covers the cleaning of all types of buildings (interior and exterior), the cleaning of industrial facilities, and other cleaning services such as disinfection, pest control and street cleaning. The group represents the largest single area by volume in European public service procurement.

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

What does NACE 81.2 cover?

NACE 81.2 (Cleaning activities) is one of the most procurement-intensive segments in the public sector — almost every authority, school, hospital and barracks tenders cleaning services regularly.

Group 81.2 within Section N (administrative services) and Division 81 is divided into the following classes:

Public contracting authorities include all building-managing bodies: school authorities, hospital operators, the armed forces, prison authorities, municipal works yards and federal property management bodies.

Public Tenders: NACE 81.2 in Practice

Building cleaning is the largest single area in public service tenders — in Germany alone, several billion euros' worth of cleaning services are awarded by public bodies each year.

Typical types of contract

• Maintenance cleaning: Daily or weekly cleaning of offices, corridors and sanitary facilities in authorities, schools and administrative buildings
• Window cleaning: Façade and window cleaning for public buildings, interior and exterior cleaning
• Hospital cleaning: Ward cleaning, operating theatre cleaning, disinfection to special hygiene requirements (KRINKO guidelines)
• School cleaning: Maintenance cleaning in municipal school buildings, frequently tendered as annual framework agreements
• Special cleaning: Construction cleaning after refurbishment, graffiti removal, cleaning following incidents
• Disinfection and pest control: Hygiene measures in public health institutions

Thresholds and procedure types

Cleaning services for larger property portfolios are regularly tendered EU-wide (threshold: EUR 221,000). Typical procedure types are the open procedure and the restricted procedure with or without prior call for competition. Lot awards (by building or cleaning type) are common practice.

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 81.2

Who is NACE 81.2 relevant to in procurement law?

Public Contracting Authorities

Building-managing public bodies are obliged to tender cleaning services formally above the thresholds. In Germany, the Tariftreue- und Mindestlohngesetz (at federal-state level) sets specific requirements. Sustainability aspects — in particular the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products (Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel) — are gaining importance in service specifications.

Companies and Bidders

Cleaning companies typically need to provide the following eligibility evidence for public tenders:

• Trade law: Evidence of trade authorisation as a building cleaning craft or building services provider
• Collective bargaining compliance: Compliance with the collective agreement for the building cleaning trade (BRTV), minimum wage evidence
• Quality assurance: Cleaning plan, quality control system, and where applicable RAL quality mark for building cleaning
• References: Comparable cleaning services (floor area, building type) for public contracting authorities
• Staff and equipment: Sufficient staff numbers, suitable cleaning machinery and products

NACE 81.2 in Context: Section N and Division 81

• NACE N – Administrative services: Parent section
• NACE 81 – Services to buildings and landscape activities: Division
• NACE 81.1 – Combined facilities support activities: Facility management
• NACE 81.3 – Landscape service activities: Green-space maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 81.2 and Public Tenders

How is building cleaning typically divided into lots? Lot splits are frequently made by building or location (geographic lots), by cleaning type (maintenance, window, special cleaning) or by user group (administrative buildings, schools, sports facilities). The aim of the lot split is to enable SMEs to participate.

What minimum wages apply to public cleaning contracts? In building cleaning, an industry minimum wage applies under the Posted Workers Act (AEntG), which is above the general minimum wage. Public contracting authorities must contractually secure compliance and may provide for inspections.

Can bidders use subcontractors for cleaning services? Yes, subcontracting is in principle permitted but must be declared in the bid. The same eligibility requirements as for the main contractor apply to the use of subcontractors.

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