Citation[]
European Commission, Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 November 2002 on the Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) (Nov. 5, 2002) (full-text).
Overview[]
The Regulation establishes a single classification system: the Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV). This classification endeavors to cover all requirements for supplies, works and services. By standardizing the references used by contracting authorities to describe the subject matter of their contracts, the CPV improves the transparency of public procurement covered by European Community directives.
The CPV attaches to each numerical code a description of the subject of the contract, for which there is a version in each of the official languages of the EU. The CPV consists of:
- a main vocabulary containing a series of numerical codes comprising eight digits each and subdivided into divisions, groups, classes and categories. A ninth digit serves to verify the previous digits;
- a supplementary vocabulary expanding the description of the subject of a contract by adding further details regarding the nature or destination of the goods to be purchased.