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CPV codes explained

CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) is the classification system used across European public procurement. Every tender published in the EU is tagged with at least one CPV code that describes what is being purchased. Otnox uses CPV codes as one of the strongest signals for AI relevance scoring.

How CPV codes are structured​

A CPV code is an 8-digit number organized in a tree:

  • Division (first 2 digits): broad category, e.g., 72 = IT services
  • Group (first 3 digits): narrower category, e.g., 722 = Software-related services
  • Class (first 4 digits): specific area, e.g., 7222 = Systems and technical consultancy
  • Full code (8 digits): most specific level, e.g., 72220000

Filtering by a parent code automatically includes all child codes beneath it.

CPV codes in your profile​

When you add CPV codes to your company profile in Settings > Company Profile, the AI engine uses them to score every incoming tender. A tender tagged with your exact CPV code gets a strong relevance boost. A tender with a nearby parent or sibling code gets a smaller boost.

Finding the right codes​

Use the CPV search field in Otnox to look up codes by keyword. For example, typing "cleaning" will show:

  • 90910000 — Cleaning services
  • 90911000 — Dwelling and building cleaning
  • 90919000 — Office cleaning
tip

Add 3 to 10 CPV codes that cover your full range of products and services. Too few codes and you will miss relevant tenders. Too many and your relevance scores become diluted.

CPV codes outside the EU​

Markets outside the EU (such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa) do not use CPV codes natively. Otnox maps their local classification systems to CPV equivalents so that your filters and scoring work consistently across all 14 markets.