Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find the answers to frequently asked questions. The questions are grouped into categories based on the topic, and if you cannot find the relevant answers here please see the contact information at the bottom of the page.

On this page you can find the following FAQ sections:

Questions on e-procurement and supplier registration can be found here.

Click on the questions below to see the relevant answer.

You can register your company through the CERN supplier registration portal (e-procurement): https://procurement.cern.ch/aspx/Home

Please provide the reference of the tender process (e.g. IT-xxxx, DO-xxxxx, MS-xxxx) and e-tendering link that you are having issues with and send to procurement.service@cern.ch.

Please first consult the supplier registration video tutorial: CERN’s e-Procurement Platform[supplier registration tutorial] · CDS Videos · CERN

If you still need assistance, contact the supplier support team at: supplierdb.support@cern.ch

Yes. If you do not have a VAT number, you may provide another official registration number issued by your local authority confirming your business activity. If there are questions or issues with the information provided, we will contact you.

Please check your supplier profile on CERN’s e-procurement platform, and make sure that order notifications are enabled. If you still have any issue, please contact: supplierdb.support@cern.ch

CERN eProcurement account allows users to access their company data and orders with CERN via the eProcurement platform.

A CERN Guest account gives users access to documents and allows them to submit responses for Invitation to Tender, Market Surveys and Price Enquiries via the E-tendering platforms.

This is most likely because your bank details have not yet been uploaded or approved on the platform. Please ensure your firm’s bank details are added and validated. If the issue persists, contact: supplierdb.support@cern.ch.

For any questions related to your supplier registration, please contact: supplierdb.support@cern.ch

Click on the questions below to see the relevant answer.

The Organization’s core values are: integrity, commitment, professionalism, creativity and diversity. 

CERN operates under a Code of Conduct, available here. This document applies to all CERN contributors, including contractors’ personnel interacting with CERN. CERN operates under a Code of Conduct, available here. This document applies to all CERN contributors, including contractors’ personnel interacting with CERN.

In particular, while conducting procurement activities, CERN is committed to:

  • Preventing and managing conflicts of interest and fraud;
  • Preventing and managing conflicts of interest and fraud;

All CERN orders and contracts are governed by the General Conditions of CERN Contracts, which:

  • Are designed to be fair to both parties;
  • Include specific provisions due to CERN’s status as an intergovernmental organisation:
    • Governing Law: Swiss substantive law applies where contract terms are unclear or silent.
    • Arbitration: Disputes are first settled amicably. If unresolved, they proceed to arbitration under Clause 35 of the General Conditions.
  • Override the contractor’s general conditions, even if included in their bid or correspondence.

The main contractual obligations set forth in the General Conditions of CERN Contracts include:

Contractor’s performance obligations

Contractors must:

  • Execute their obligations with skill, care, diligence, and professional standards;
  • Notify CERN in writing of any circumstance affecting or threatening contract performance;
  • Discuss issues with CERN, if any, to find mutually beneficial solutions.

Subcontracting rules

Subcontracting requires prior written approval from CERN. The request must include:

  • Details of the proposed subcontractor.
  • The activity to be subcontracted.

Usual restrictions:

  • No single subcontractor may perform more than 50% of the contract value;
  • No sub-subcontracting for obligations performed on the CERN site;
  • No sub-subcontracting for obligations performed on the CERN site;

Additional limitations may be specified in the tendering documents.

Intellectual Property (IP):

All intellectual property generated during contract performance is exclusively vested in CERN. If needed, contractors willing to also benefit from the IP generated under the contract may contact CERN.

Warranty period

  • Standard warranty: 2 years from the date of acceptance of the deliverables;
  • Longer periods may apply if required by CERN in the tendering procedure.

During the warranty period, the contractor must remedy any defects at their own expense upon notification by CERN.

Access to the CERN site of a proposed sub-contractor requires prior approval from CERN. If the sub-contractor is not yet registered under the contract, please contact procurement.service@cern.ch (with copy to the Commercial and Technical Officers) with the contract number, the sub-contractor’s name and postal address. CERN will review your request and, if approved, formally authorise the access.

To avoid delays in invoice payment, contractors must follow the delivery instructions specified in the order or contract and clearly label packages with:

  • The contractor’s name (as it appears in the order/contract);
  • The order or contract reference;
  • CERN’s technical contact provided in the order or contract;
  • Details of the goods delivered.

CERN is an Intergovernmental Organization with a diplomatic status. Thus the Organization is not subject to any value added taxes (VAT) neither in Switzerland nor in France for the purchase of goods and services to the Organization’s official use. In other words, CERN does NOT have any VAT identification number.
Other identification codes are available:

  • In France CERN is identified in the French company register with the following SIRET (Système d’Identification du Répertoire des Etablissements) and SIREN (on headquartes) codes: 
    • SIREN 941326811
    • SIRET 94132681100010
  • CERN’s EORI code (Economic Operator Registration and Identification)
    • French EORI (Prévessin – FR) : 
      • EORI SIREN FR941326811
      • EORI SIRET FR94132681100010
    • International EORI (Meyrin – CH) : FRCH394610661
  • In Switzerland, CERN is identified in the new Swiss company register with the following IDE code (Numéro d’Identification des Entreprises): CHE-108.967.751.

To ensure payment within one month of receipt or acceptance (whichever is later):

  • Send invoices to: Accounts-Payable@cern.ch;
  • Include the CERN order or contract reference number;
  • Comply with the terms of the order/contract, including transport fees.

A bank guarantee may be required to ensure the contractor’s proper performance. If requested:

  • The first invoice must be accompanied by a bank guarantee:
    • In favour of CERN;
    • On first demand;
    • From a CERN-approved bank (minimum rating: BBB+ or equivalent);
    • From a CERN-approved bank (minimum rating: BBB+ or equivalent);
  • The guarantee must follow the template in Annex I of the General Conditions.
  • The original document must be sent by post to CERN’s Accounts Payable (address: CERN, FAP Department, Accounts Payable, Esplanade des Particules 1
    1211 Geneva 23) before any invoice is paid.

Note: No advance payment is made until a compliant bank guarantee is provided.

For questions on invoicing, contractors may contact: Accounts-Payable@cern.ch.

The applicable labour law depends on the ‘foreseeable preponderant share of the services’ (4P) regime. Mode details can be found under the following links:

The use of or reference to the CERN logo, images of CERN, or any name under which CERN is known requires prior written authorization by CERN. Request permission by completing this form.

Click on the questions below to see the relevant answer.

The 4P (foreseeable preponderant share of the services) principle determines, based on the distribution of services to be executed in France and Switzerland, which national labour law (French or Swiss) applies to a contractor’s personnel for the entire duration of the contract. This applies to the following matters:

  • Maximum period of work and minimum periods of rest (including compensatory rest);
  • Minimal duration of paid annual leave and related holiday provisions;
  • Minimal salary rate, including overtime increases;
  • Conditions for temporary workers;
  • Hygiene, security, and occupational health;
  • Hygiene, security, and occupational health;
    • Pregnant women and women who have recently given birth;
    • Children and young persons;
  • Equal treatment of men and women, as well as other non-discrimination provisions.

Note: Other matters, such as recruitment, suspension, breach of contract, and personnel representation, remain governed by the law of the contractor’s country of origin and are not affected by the Agreement. The 4P principle also does not override acquired employee rights at the time of contract award.

The 4P principle applies to:

  • The applicable labour law (French or Swiss) remains fixed for the entire contract duration, including extensions.
  • Contracts tendered after 18 January 2014, the date the Agreement between the French Government, the Swiss Federal Council, and CERN entered into force.

Contracts tendered after 18 January 2014, the date the Agreement between the French Government, the Swiss Federal Council, and CERN entered into force.

  • Contracts for the delivery of supplies only;
  • Services carried out exclusively on one part (French or Swiss) of the CERN domain.

Services carried out exclusively on one part (French or Swiss) of the CERN domain.

  • Determined by CERN when issuing the tendering procedure;
  • Based on objective and quantifiable criteria defined in the Agreement.

The applicable labour law (French or Swiss) remains fixed for the entire contract duration, including extensions.

The applicable labour law for each contract is specified in the tendering documents.

  • Comply with the applicable labour law for the entire contract duration.
  • Inform in writing their concerned employees and subcontractors about the applicable law.
  • Ensure subcontractors also inform their employees.

  • Yes, if the subcontractor provides services on both French and Swiss territories of the CERN domain. The same law as the main contract applies.
  • Yes, if the subcontractor provides services on both French and Swiss territories of the CERN domain. The same law as the main contract applies.

Each contract is treated independently. The contractor shall must comply with the applicable labour law per contract, not per firm.

Yes. The competent authorities may verify compliance with the applicable law:

  • Switzerland: Office Cantonal de l’Inspection et des Relations de Travail (OCIRT) or commissions paritaires.
  • France: DIRECCTE (Labour Inspection).

Infringements are pursued by the authorities of the Host State where the 4P is situated.

Contractors must contact the relevant labour authorities in the Host States.

For France:

DIRECCTE
34 Avenue des Belges, BP 70417 01012 BOURG EN BRESSE
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 74 45 91 39
Email: rhona-ut01.direction@direccte.gouv.fr
Site internet: Service de renseignement en droit du travail – Ain – Annuaire | Service Public

For Switzerland:

Office Cantonal de l’Inspection et des Relations de Travail (OCIRT)
Case postale, 1211  Genève 8, Suisse
Telephone: +41 (0) 22 388 29 29
Email: réception.ocirt@etat.ge.ch
Site Internet: https://www.ge.ch/organisation/ocirt-office-cantonal-inspection-relations-du-travail

Refer to Section 1.4 of the Working on the CERN Site document and this page for additional details.