What Is FACe and Why Is It Mandatory for Suppliers to Spanish Public Sector Organizations?
FACe is the General Electronic Invoice Entry Point for Spain's Central Government Administration. Since 2015, any supplier invoicing more than €5,000 to public sector bodies is required to use this e-invoicing system.
The FACe system centralizes all electronic invoices addressed to public administrations, ensuring full traceability and regulatory compliance under Law 25/2013. For a 3D printing materials supplier, this means every invoice must comply with the Facturae 3.2.x format, include the receiving organization's DIR3 codes, and pass automatic validation before reaching the payment department.
This requirement particularly affects regular suppliers of 3D printing consumables. If you sell filaments or resins on an ongoing basis to a public hospital, research center, or university, you must be registered with FACe. Non-compliance doesn't just delay payment — it prevents the invoice from being processed entirely.
Which Spanish Public Sector Organizations Use 3D Printing?
The main public sector consumers of 3D printing technology in Spain include the CSIC, public hospitals with maxillofacial surgery units, INTA for aerospace prototyping, national museums for heritage replicas, and regional technology centers.
The CSIC leads in volume, with over 120 institutes actively using 3D printing in their research. Notable examples include the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM) for nanomaterials applications, and the National Center for Biotechnology (CNB) for molecular models. Their requirements range from engineering filaments like PEEK for high-temperature applications to transparent resins for microfluidics.
In healthcare, hospitals such as La Paz, Vall d'Hebron, and Hospital Clínic de Barcelona operate active 3D printing units. INIBIC (Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña) runs Ultimaker printers at 20µm resolution alongside EinScan Pro 2X scanners with 0.04mm accuracy for surgical planning.
National museums such as the Museo Arqueológico Nacional and the Reina Sofía have adopted the technology for conservation and accessibility purposes. INTA uses 3D printing in satellite components and UAV development, while technology centers like AIMEN and TECNALIA integrate it into their industrial services.
How Does the Procurement Process for 3D Printing Consumables Work in the Public Sector?
Public sector purchasing of 3D printing materials follows three main routes: minor contracts up to €15,000 for one-off orders, framework agreements for recurring supply, and open tenders for larger volumes or specialized equipment.
For smaller orders (individual spools, specific resins), public institutions typically use minor contracts. The researcher requests the material, the purchasing department collects three quotes, and the contract is awarded to the most competitive offer. The entire process can be completed in 2–3 weeks, provided the supplier has an active FACe setup.
Framework agreements are the preferred route for recurring consumables. A hospital using 10–15 liters of biocompatible resins for public hospitals per month will establish an annual agreement with fixed pricing and scheduled deliveries. This streamlines administrative management and ensures the availability of critical materials.
Public tenders come into play when spending thresholds are exceeded or specific equipment is required. A technology center needing high-performance filaments for a European project will open a full supply tender, evaluating not just price but also technical capability, certifications, and after-sales support.
What requirements must a 3D printing supplier meet to invoice through FACe?
The core requirements include a company digital certificate, registration with the FACe system, Facturae-certified invoicing software, knowledge of each organization's DIR3 codes, and the ability to quickly resolve system issues.
The digital certificate must be a legal entity certificate issued by the FNMT or an equivalent authority. Without it, you cannot access FACe. Registration is free but requires correctly configuring your company's tax and banking details. Any errors here will block all your future invoices.
Your invoicing software must generate files in Facturae 3.2.1 or 3.2.2 format. Tools like FacturaE or Facturae Generator are free options, and many ERPs already include compatible modules. The critical point is ensuring every invoice contains the correct DIR3 codes — using the generic CSIC code when invoicing the Institute of Nanoscience will result in automatic rejection.
- Keep digital certificates up to date (they expire every 2–4 years)
- Know each organization's invoicing deadlines (some require submission before the 5th of the following month)
- Prepare additional documentation when required (digitally signed delivery notes, conformity certificates)
- Assign a dedicated person to monitor invoices and resolve issues promptly
How does Mr Resin handle electronic invoicing through FACe for public sector organizations?
Mr Resin offers fully integrated FACe invoicing through its B2B program, including automatic generation of Facturae-compliant invoices, DIR3 code management, and dedicated support for resolving issues with public administration.
The Mr Resin B2B program with FACe invoicing radically simplifies the process for public institutions. When a research center places an order, the system automatically generates the electronic invoice with all required fields, submits it to FACe, and tracks its status through to payment.
Mr Resin's extensive experience working with dozens of public institutions means maintaining an up-to-date database of DIR3 codes and entity-specific requirements. Whether INTA requires a particular reference format for its orders or Hospital Clínic needs itemization by department, the system already has it configured.
Specialized technical support makes all the difference when issues arise. A rejected FACe invoice can have multiple causes — from an expired certificate to an unannounced DIR3 code change. The Mr Resin team diagnoses and resolves these incidents, preventing payment delays that can stretch on for months if not handled correctly.
What 3D printing materials do Spanish public institutions demand?
Public institutions primarily require biocompatible resins for medical applications, technical filaments such as PEEK and PEI for research, PLA and PETG for educational prototypes, and high-precision resins for cultural heritage work.
In healthcare settings, the most requested resins for public research institutions are biocompatible resins certified for temporary tissue contact. Hospitals with maxillofacial surgery units use them for custom surgical guides, while biomedical research centers rely on them for cell cultures and microfluidics.
Technology centers and the CSIC prioritize technical filaments for public centers capable of withstanding extreme conditions. PEEK for INTA aerospace applications, PEI (Ultem) for components requiring flame-retardant certification, and conductive filaments for electronics prototyping are all common orders.
Universities and educational centers maintain steady consumption of standard materials — PLA for student lab work, PETG for functional prototypes, TPU for flexible components. The priority here is supply reliability over extreme performance, with diameter tolerances under 0.02mm to avoid issues across mixed-machine fleets.
Museums and heritage centers require ultra-high-definition resins for replicas and restoration work. The ability to capture sub-millimeter detail is critical when reproducing archaeological pieces or creating molds for conservation purposes.
When is a B2B program NOT viable for a public institution?
A B2B program is not viable when an institution faces severe budget constraints, is bound by centralized supply contracts, must go to public tender due to volume thresholds, or cannot commit to minimum recurring orders.
Some smaller or budget-limited institutions cannot take on recurring purchase commitments. A local museum that occasionally prints educational replicas does not justify a framework agreement — their occasional needs are better served by one-off purchases when specific projects arise.
Centralized government contracts also limit purchasing autonomy. If the Directorate General for Rationalization and Centralization of Procurement has established a framework agreement for IT supplies that includes 3D consumables, affiliated institutions must purchase through that channel even if the terms are less favorable.
When annual volume exceeds certain thresholds — typically €40,000 in supplies — regulations require a public tender. A hospital expecting to spend €50,000 on biocompatible resins cannot sign a direct B2B agreement; it must put the contract out to public tender with notice published in the BOE.
Extreme seasonality also complicates B2B programs. Project-funded research centers may have months of heavy consumption followed by complete standstills. Without the ability to commit to a monthly minimum, the B2B model loses its appeal compared to straightforward on-demand orders.
Public sector organizations by sector and typical materials used
| Sector | Example Organizations | Primary Materials | Typical Applications | Estimated Monthly Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Hospital La Paz, Clínic Barcelona | Biocompatible resins, medical-grade PA12 | Surgical guides, anatomical models | 5–15 liters of resin |
| Research | CSIC, CERCA Centers | PEEK, PEI, conductive filaments | Functional prototypes, lab components | 10–20 kg of filament |
| Aerospace | INTA, CATEC | PEEK, CF-PEEK, Ultem | UAV components, satellite prototypes | 5–10 kg of engineering material |
| Education | Public universities | PLA, PETG, TPU | Lab coursework, undergraduate projects | 50–100 kg PLA/PETG |
| Cultural Heritage | National museums, IPCE | High-detail resins, PVA | Replicas, conservation molds | 2–5 liters of resin |
| Technology | TECNALIA, AIMEN | Multi-material, metal filaments | Industrial R&D, validation testing | Varies by project |
Frequently asked questions about public sector procurement of 3D printing materials
Can a public organization purchase without a formal tender?
Yes, through minor contracts up to €15,000 (excluding VAT) for supplies. The organization must obtain three quotes and document the selection rationale. For higher amounts or recurring supplies, a negotiated or open procedure is required depending on the total value.
What certifications do hospitals require for medical resins?
Public hospitals typically require ISO 10993 biocompatibility certification for resins that come into contact with tissue. For surgical guides, they also require full batch traceability and a technical datasheet confirming sterilizability by autoclave or gamma radiation. Some facilities specifically require CE marking as a Class I or Class IIa medical device.
How long does payment through FACe take?
By law, payment is due within 30 days of invoice approval, but in practice timelines vary. Universities and research centers typically pay within 45–60 days. Large hospitals can stretch to 90 days. The critical factor is submitting the invoice correctly through FACe — a rejection due to a formatting error can add weeks to the process.
Can I offer volume discounts to public sector organizations?
Yes, but discounts must be clearly stated in the original offer and applied on an objective basis. Volume discounts are common in framework agreements, but you cannot offer special pricing after the fact that wasn't included in the original submission — this would be considered preferential treatment.
What happens if my invoice is rejected in FACe?
FACe will notify you of the rejection along with the reason (incorrect DIR3 code, invalid format, expired certificate). You must correct the error and resubmit the invoice. The payment clock restarts from the new submission date. This is why it's critical to monitor the status of every invoice and act quickly when rejections occur.
Is public liability insurance mandatory?
While it isn't always required for smaller contracts, many public bodies include it in their tender specifications. For supplies to hospitals or materials integrated into end products, it's virtually essential. A product liability insurance policy of €300,000–€600,000 is typically sufficient for most supply contracts.
See you at the workshop 😎
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