CPV-2007 FAQS

Update to CPV codes

On 16 September 2008, the Office for Official
Publications of the European Communities (OPOCE)
will be implementing a modified version of the CPV
codes (CPV Code Version 2007) to replace Version
2003. The CPV code search facility in Supply2.gov.uk
will be upgraded accordingly to reflect these
changes.

What is a CPV code?
CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) codes
have been developed by the European Union
specifically for public procurement. The main
vocabulary is based on a tree structure with
high-level codes providing a broad description and
sub-categories defining particular products or
services. Their main purpose is to help
procurement personnel to classify their contract
notices consistently and correctly and to help
suppliers find those notices which are of interest to
them by using a standardised vocabulary.

Using CPV codes
Awarding authorities use CPV codes to
accurately describe a particular product or service
opportunity. CPV codes may be used in a notice to
broadly describe the relevant industry sector or to
more narrowly define a particular product or
service. It is mandatory for awarding authorities to
publish at least one CPV code in an OJEU notice.

What changes
have been made?
Certain codes have been reassigned with new
descriptions, others have been deleted, and many
entirely new codes have been added.

How will these
changes affect me?

Supply2.gov.uk will ensure that the CPV code
transition process is as simple as possible. We will
automatically update your alert and/or supplier
profile with the new CPV-2007 codes (we advise
you not to delete or amend any CPV codes in your
contract profile at this point).

How will I search for legacy
contracts once the new
CPV-2007 codes are in use?

Supply2.gov.uk has mapped every CPV-2003 code
to its corresponding CPV-2007 code. Therefore, when
searching using new CPV-2007 codes for contracts
that were created prior to 16 September 2008, you will
still find your matching legacy contracts.
When you view a legacy contract, you will see
both the original CPV-2003 code(s) and the
corresponding CPV-2007 code(s). Your ability to
search by CPV codes is therefore unaffected.
From 16 September it is anticipated that all
notices will display only the new CPV-2007 codes.

CPV code online mapping tool

We have created an online tool for browsing the
new CPV-2007 code hierarchy and also provide a
spreadsheet that maps all CPV-2003 codes to their
corresponding CPV-2007 codes in order that you
may establish if there are any new codes that apply
to your business sector.

Assistance

The Supply2.gov.uk Helpdesk is on hand to assist
you and can be contacted on 0845 270 7085 or via
email at support@supply2.gov.co.uk

The Supply2.gov.uk Helpdesk is on hand to assist
you and can be contacted on 0845 270 7085
or via email at support@supply2.gov.uk