How CPV codes work
A CPV code is eight digits and a check digit, for example 45000000-7 for construction work. The first two digits are the division, the third narrows it to a group, the fourth to a class and the fifth to a category. More digits mean a more specific code. Choose the most specific code that fits what you sell, and its parent, so that you also catch notices where the buyer used a broader code.
Where you'll use your CPV codes
CPV codes classify what a notice is buying and help suppliers find opportunities, according to the government's Procurement Act e-learning summary. You can use them to search Find a Tender and Contracts Finder and to set up alerts, and you can use them in your TenderWorthy profile.
Most-used divisions in the week to 10 Oct 2026
Live notices published or updated in the week to 10 Oct 2026, by CPV division (how we count):
| Division | Name | Live notices |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Construction works | 119 |
| 85 | Health and social care | 68 |
| 79 | Business services | 52 |
| 50 | Repair and maintenance | 42 |
| 71 | Architecture and engineering | 40 |
| 90 | Cleaning, waste and environmental | 31 |
| 72 | IT services | 30 |
| 44 | Construction materials | 28 |
| 73 | Research and development | 26 |
| 80 | Education and training | 24 |
About this list
The names and codes come from the official CPV 2008 list (Commission Regulation (EC) No 213/2008, Annex I, as published on legislation.gov.uk). We do not edit them, with one exception: two codes in division 85 use the wording from the UK's Common Procurement Vocabulary (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/601): 85311200-4 “Welfare services for disabled people” and 85312120-6 “Daycare services for disabled children and young people”. For what a CPV code is, see the glossary. Live counts per code are not shown yet because the daily feed is not connected to this page.
Questions
Which CPV code should I choose?
The most specific code that describes what you sell, plus its parent code so that you do not miss notices where the buyer used a broader code.
What is the check digit?
The ninth digit after the hyphen. Notices usually quote the eight-digit code, so the check digit is shown for completeness.
Do you change the official wording?
No, except two division 85 names updated by the Common Procurement Vocabulary (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/601).