CPV 31 – Electrical Machinery and Apparatus

What does CPV Division 31 cover?

CPV Division 31 covers electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables, including lighting. It is one of the most extensive divisions in the CPV system and consolidates all electrotechnical procurement by the public sector – from simple cables and sockets through transformers and switchgear to complex lighting systems and generators. The division includes both individual components and complete systems required for public infrastructure and building projects.

Within the CPV hierarchy, Division 31 is distinct from the construction division (CPV 45) and the IT division (CPV 30). While installation services fall under CPV 45 or CPV 51, CPV 31 refers exclusively to the supply of electrotechnical products and devices. Key sub-categories include transformers and motors (Group 311), lighting equipment and lamps (Group 315) and cables, wires and accessories (Group 313).

The division is gaining considerable importance through the energy transition and the shift to LED lighting in public buildings and public spaces. Municipalities are investing broadly in modernising their street lighting infrastructure, hospitals are procuring emergency generators and UPS systems, and schools are upgrading their electrical installations for the future.

Further information on the CPV system is available from the European Commission (SIMAP) and Regulation (EC) No 213/2008 amending the CPV.

Key CPV Groups in Division 31

Examples of Tenders with CPV 31

• LED street lighting conversion: A municipality tenders supply and replacement of approximately 1,200 street luminaires with energy-efficient LED technology. The contract covers all luminaire heads, control units and mounting accessories.
• Emergency power supply for a hospital: A municipal hospital procures a diesel-powered emergency generator with 500 kVA capacity including automatic transfer switch and central monitoring unit for a new intensive care unit.
• Electrotechnical fit-out for a new school: As part of a school construction project, a district authority procures all electrical distribution panels, switchboards and cable management systems – from the main distribution board to sub-distribution in classrooms.

Current tenders with CPV 31 are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms such as the German Procurement Portal (DTVP).

Who is CPV Division 31 relevant for?

Public Contracting Authorities

Municipalities and municipal utilities are among the most frequent contracting authorities for CPV 31, particularly for street lighting modernisation and the replacement of ageing switchgear. Hospitals, schools, universities and federal authorities regularly procure electrical equipment and systems – from emergency generators and transformers to complete interior lighting for new buildings and refurbishment projects. Infrastructure operators such as railways and road authorities are further key buyers for cable supply and switchgear.

Companies and Bidders

For electrical engineering companies, lighting manufacturers, energy technology distributors and system integrators, CPV 31 is a central procurement field. Smaller electrical contractors can win regional lots, while larger suppliers offer complete equipment packages for new construction projects. Knowledge of relevant standards such as EN/IEC norms and evidence of technical capability and product approvals are important eligibility requirements.

Information on eligibility criteria and procurement procedures is available from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

How does Bond help with CPV 31?

Tender Match – Automatically Find Tenders (CPV 31)

With tender.match, electrical engineering companies and lighting manufacturers automatically receive all relevant tenders with CPV 31 directly in their dashboard. BOND indexes tenders from over 1,000 procurement portals in the EU – from TED to national platforms and regional contracting authorities. Instead of manually searching dozens of portals every day, matching electrical equipment and lighting contracts are filtered and delivered by industry, competency, region, and company profile. An automated gap analysis immediately shows where the company meets the requirements and where gaps exist. This ensures companies never miss a deadline and can focus on preparing their bids.

Company Match – Find the Right Partners and Suppliers (CPV 31)

For companies looking for suppliers, subcontractors, or consortium partners for electrical engineering projects, company.match provides direct access to qualified firms from an EU-wide database of over 28 million companies. Especially for larger electrical equipment and lighting contracts that a single company cannot handle alone, company.match automatically identifies suitable partners for bidding consortia and partial services – increasing the chances of winning the contract.

Frequently Asked Questions about CPV 31

What does the CPV code 31000000 mean?

The CPV code 31000000 represents the division "Electrical Machinery, Apparatus, Equipment and Consumables; Lighting" in the European Common Procurement Vocabulary. It encompasses all electrotechnical supply services, from cables and transformers to lighting systems and generators, tendered by public contracting authorities across the EU.

How do I find tenders with CPV 31?

Tenders with CPV 31 can be searched directly on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) using the code 31 as a CPV filter. At national level, the German Procurement Portal (DTVP) offers a structured search. Bond also aggregates tenders from over 1,000 portals and delivers matching results automatically based on company profile.

What are the requirements for participating in tenders with CPV 31?

Bidders must generally provide evidence of financial standing, technical capability (comparable delivery references) and product certifications to relevant EN/IEC standards. For specialist products such as transformers or switchgear, specific approvals and manufacturer certificates are frequently required. Details are governed by the VgV or the UVgO depending on contract value.