CPV 38 – Laboratory, Optical and Precision Instruments

What does CPV 38 cover?

CPV division 38 covers laboratory instruments, optical devices and precision instruments – a technically highly specialised product group used primarily in research, science and environmental monitoring. This includes microscopes and telescopes, analytical instruments such as spectrometers and chromatographs, balances and measuring devices, testing and calibration equipment, flow meters and optical instruments for geodetic and cartographic applications.

Within the CPV hierarchy, division 38 is clearly distinct from medical technology division 33 – although hospital laboratories also procure under CPV 38. The distinction lies in the intended purpose: diagnostic devices fall under 33, while scientific-analytical instruments fall under 38. Important sub-groups include optical instruments (CPV group 382), laboratory devices and accessories (CPV group 384), measuring, testing and navigation devices (CPV group 385), and precision instruments (CPV group 381).

Public procurement demand in this segment is lower in volume than in other divisions, but is technically demanding and significant in value. Universities and research institutions procure high-grade analytical equipment, environmental agencies require air quality monitoring and water analysis technology, and state testing laboratories continuously invest in calibration and testing machines. Further information is available from the European Commission (SIMAP) and Regulation (EC) No 213/2008.

Key CPV Groups in Division 38

CPV Group	Name	Typical Contract Subject
381	Precision instruments	Balances, pressure gauges, temperature measurement
382	Optical instruments	Microscopes, telescopes, binoculars, theodolites
384	Laboratory equipment and accessories	Centrifuges, incubators, sterilisers, pipettes
385	Measuring, testing and navigation devices	Spectrometers, chromatographs, flow meters
387	Physical and chemical analysis apparatus	Gas analysers, pH meters, titration systems

Examples of Tenders with CPV 38

• Equipping a university laboratory for analytical chemistry: A university procures a high-performance gas chromatograph with mass spectrometry coupling (GC-MS) for a research group in organic chemistry, including installation, commissioning, staff training and a two-year maintenance contract.
• Air quality monitoring equipment for an environmental authority: A regional environment agency tenders the delivery of 12 automatic air quality monitoring stations for particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and ozone, including data transmission units, calibration and technical support.
• Laboratory equipment for a forensic institute: A state forensic institute procures stereo microscopes, comparison microscopes and digital image capture systems for its forensic examination department, meeting evidence-preservation requirements.

Current tenders with CPV 38 are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is CPV 38 relevant for?

Public Contracting Authorities

Universities and non-university research institutions (Fraunhofer, Helmholtz, Leibniz) are among the most important contracting authorities for laboratory and scientific instruments. State environmental agencies procure measuring devices for air, water and soil quality monitoring. State testing and calibration laboratories and forensic institutes have specific, regular procurement needs. Medical laboratories in hospitals and veterinary testing offices also fall within this procurement area.

Companies and Bidders

Laboratory equipment manufacturers and their specialist distributors, as well as measurement technology companies, are the central bidder groups. In this segment, the distinctive characteristics of individual manufacturers play a major role – many tenders are technically specified in ways that effectively limit the field to a small number of suppliers. Dealers with service networks and maintenance capacity have advantages over pure importers. ISO calibration and accredited service partners are common requirements. Further information is available from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

How does Bond help with CPV 38?

Tender Match – Automatically Find Tenders (CPV 38)

With tender.match, laboratory equipment and measurement technology companies automatically receive all relevant tenders with CPV 38 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 laboratory equipment 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 38)

For companies looking for suppliers, subcontractors, or consortium partners for laboratory projects, company.match provides direct access to qualified firms from an EU-wide database of over 28 million companies. Especially for larger laboratory equipment 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 38

What does the CPV code 38000000 mean?

The CPV code 38000000 designates the division for laboratory instruments, optical devices and precision instruments in the EU's Common Procurement Vocabulary. It covers all scientific-technical measuring devices, analytical instruments and optical equipment procured by public institutions such as universities, research institutes and government agencies.

How do I find tenders with CPV 38?

Tenders with CPV 38 can be researched directly on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) using the CPV filter. The provides national search options. Bond delivers matching tenders automatically, filtered by equipment category, region and contract value.

What are the requirements for participating in tenders with CPV 38?

Calibration certificates to ISO standards, accredited service capacity and references at comparable institutions are commonly required. For measuring devices used in environmental monitoring, type approvals under relevant measurement directives are required. The applicable frameworks are VgV and UVgO depending on contract value.