NACE 94.1 – Business, Employers and Professional Membership Organisations | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 94.1 covers business and employers' associations, chambers of industry and commerce, chambers of crafts and other professional organisations. Some of these organisations have public-law status and act as contracting authorities for administrative services and event infrastructure.

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

What does NACE 94.1 cover?

NACE 94.1 (Business, employers and professional membership organisations) classifies chambers and associations — in Germany and Austria, chambers of industry and commerce and chambers of crafts, as public-law corporations, are partly subject to procurement obligations.

Group 94.1 within Section S (Other services) and Division 94 is broken down into the following classes:

Particular feature: Public-law chambers (IHK, HWK, Chamber of Doctors) are, as public-law corporations, in principle contracting authorities and are subject to procurement law when the thresholds are exceeded.

Public Tenders: Activity area NACE 94.1

Chambers and professional organisations procure IT systems, event services, printed products and consultancy services — and, as public-law corporations, are subject to procurement law.

Typical types of contract

• IT systems: Member management software, examination systems (IHK training platforms, IHKAK)
• Event infrastructure: Trade fairs, conferences, delegation trips — catering, AV technology, translation services
• Printed products: Chamber publications, member magazines, official notices
• Consultancy services: Legal and tax advice, strategy consultancy, digitalisation advice
• Education services: Continuing-training programmes for chamber staff, examiner qualification
• Buildings and premises: Administrative buildings, education centres, examination rooms

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 94.1

Who is NACE 94.1 relevant to under procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

Chambers of industry and commerce (IHK) and chambers of crafts (HWK) are, as public-law corporations, contracting authorities under § 99 No. 2 GWB. They are required to tender EU-wide when the thresholds are exceeded. Private-law associations (e.g. BDI, BDA) are in principle not subject to procurement law.

Companies and bidders

• Industry experience: Understanding of chamber structures and requirements
• References: Experience with public-law corporations
• Data protection: GDPR compliance for member management systems with sensitive business data

NACE 94.1 in context: Section S and Division 94

• NACE S – Other Services: Parent section
• NACE 94 – Activities of membership organisations: Division
• NACE 94.2 – Trade unions: Employee representation
• NACE 94.9 – Other membership organisations: Sports and environmental associations

Frequently asked questions on NACE 94.1 and public tenders

Are chambers of industry and commerce subject to a tender obligation? Yes. IHKs are public-law corporations and thus contracting authorities within the meaning of § 99 GWB. When the EU thresholds are exceeded, they are required to tender EU-wide.

Does this also apply to private-law associations such as the BDI? No. Privately organised associations are contracting authorities only if they are predominantly publicly financed and publicly controlled (the so-called "functional contracting authority concept"). This generally does not apply to the BDI or BDA.

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