What is FACe and why is it mandatory for suppliers to Spanish public bodies?
FACe is the General Entry Point for Electronic Invoices of the Spanish Central Government. Since 2015, any supplier invoicing more than €5,000 to public bodies is required to use this electronic invoicing system.
The FACe system centralises all electronic invoices addressed to the Spanish Public Administration, ensuring traceability and regulatory compliance under Law 25/2013. For a supplier of 3D printing materials, this means every invoice must comply with the Facturae 3.2.x format, include the receiving body's DIR3 codes, and pass through automatic validation before reaching the payment department.
This requirement particularly affects regular suppliers of 3D printing consumables. If you regularly sell filaments or resins to a public hospital, research centre, or university, you need to be registered with FACe. Non-compliance doesn't just delay payment — it prevents the invoice from being processed altogether.
Which Spanish public bodies use 3D printing?
The main public sector consumers of 3D technology in Spain include the CSIC, public hospitals with maxillofacial surgery units, INTA for aerospace prototyping, national museums for heritage replicas, and regional technology centres.
The CSIC leads in volume, with over 120 institutes using 3D printing in their research. Notable examples include the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM), with applications in nanomaterials, and the National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), which uses 3D printing for molecular models. Their requirements range from technical filaments such as PEEK for high-temperature applications to transparent resins for microfluidics.
In the healthcare sector, hospitals such as La Paz, Vall d'Hebron, and the Clínic de Barcelona operate active 3D printing units. INIBIC (the 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 for satellite and UAV components, while technology centres such as AIMEN and TECNALIA integrate it into their industrial services.
How does the procurement process for 3D printing consumables work in the public sector?
Public procurement 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 specialist equipment.
For small orders (individual spools, specific resins), public sector organisations typically use minor contracts. The researcher requests the materials, the purchasing department gets three quotes, and the contract is awarded to the most competitive supplier. The whole process can be completed in 2–3 weeks if the supplier has FACe up and running.
Framework agreements are the preferred route for recurring consumables. A hospital using 10–15 litres of biocompatible resins for public hospitals per month will set up an annual agreement with fixed pricing and scheduled deliveries. This streamlines procurement administration and ensures availability of critical materials.
Public tenders come into play when spending thresholds are exceeded or specific equipment is required. A technology centre needing high-performance filaments for a European project will put the entire supply contract out to 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 essential requirements include a company digital certificate, FACe system registration, Facturae-approved billing software, knowledge of each organisation's DIR3 codes, and the ability to respond quickly to system issues.
The digital certificate must be a legal entity certificate issued by the FNMT or equivalent authority. Without it, you cannot access FACe. Registering on the system is free, but you'll need to correctly configure your company's tax and banking details. Any errors here will block all your future invoices.
Your billing software must generate files in Facturae 3.2.1 or 3.2.2 format. Tools such as FacturaE or Facturae Generator are free options, although many ERPs already include compatible modules. The critical point is that every invoice must include the correct DIR3 codes — using the generic CSIC code when invoicing the Institute of Nanoscience will guarantee rejection.
- Keep digital certificates up to date (they expire every 2–4 years)
- Be aware of each organisation's deadlines (some require invoicing 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 with FACe for public sector organisations?
Mr Resin offers fully integrated FACe invoicing through its B2B programme, with automatic generation of invoices in Facturae format, DIR3 code management, and dedicated support for resolving issues with the administration.
The Mr Resin B2B programme with FACe invoicing radically simplifies the process for public sector organisations. When a research centre 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 sector organisations means it maintains an up-to-date database of DIR3 codes and the specific requirements of each entity. Whether INTA requires a particular reference format for its orders or Hospital Clínic needs itemisation by department, the system already has it configured.
Specialist technical support makes all the difference when problems arise. A rejected FACe invoice can have multiple causes — from an expired certificate to an unannounced change in a DIR3 code. The Mr Resin team diagnoses and resolves these issues, preventing payment delays that can stretch on for months if not handled correctly.
What 3D printing materials do Spanish public sector organisations demand?
Public sector organisations 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 the healthcare sector, the most requested resins for public research organisations are biocompatible resins certified for temporary tissue contact. Hospitals with maxillofacial surgery units use them for custom surgical guides, while biomedical research centres rely on them for cell cultures and microfluidics.
Technology centres and the CSIC prioritise technical filaments for public centres capable of withstanding extreme conditions. PEEK for INTA's aerospace applications, PEI (Ultem) for components requiring flame-retardant certification, and conductive filaments for electronics prototyping are all common orders.
Universities and educational centres maintain steady consumption of standard materials — PLA for student lab work, PETG for functional prototypes, TPU for flexible components. The priority here is reliable supply rather than extreme performance, with diameter tolerances below 0.02mm to avoid issues across heterogeneous machine fleets.
Museums and heritage centres require ultra-high-definition resins for replicas and restoration work. The ability to capture sub-millimetre detail is critical when reproducing archaeological pieces or creating moulds for conservation purposes.
When is a B2B programme NOT viable for a public sector organisation?
A B2B programme is not viable when an organisation faces severe budget restrictions, is bound by centralised supply contracts, is required to go to public tender due to volume, or cannot commit to minimum recurring orders.
Some smaller organisations or those with limited budgets cannot commit to recurring purchasing agreements. A local museum that occasionally prints educational replicas does not justify a framework agreement — its ad hoc needs are better met through one-off purchases when specific projects arise.
Centralised public administration contracts also restrict autonomy. If the Directorate-General for Rationalisation and Centralisation of Procurement has established a framework agreement for IT supplies that includes 3D consumables, affiliated organisations must purchase through that channel even if the terms are less favourable.
When annual volume exceeds certain thresholds (typically €40,000 in supplies), regulations require a public tender process. 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 intensive consumption followed by complete stops. Without minimum monthly commitment capacity, the B2B model loses its appeal compared to on-demand spot orders.
Public sector organizations by sector and typical materials consumed
| 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 resin |
| Research | CSIC, CERCA Centers | PEEK, PEI, conductive filaments | Functional prototypes, lab components | 10–20 kg filament |
| Aerospace | INTA, CATEC | PEEK, CF-PEEK, Ultem | UAV components, satellite prototypes | 5–10 kg technical material |
| Education | Public universities | PLA, PETG, TPU | Lab work, undergraduate final projects | 50–100 kg PLA/PETG |
| Heritage | National museums, IPCE | High-definition resins, PVA | Replicas, conservation molds | 2–5 liters resin |
| Technology | TECNALIA, AIMEN | Multi-material, metal | Industrial R&D, validation | Varies by project |
Frequently asked questions about public procurement of 3D printing materials
Can a public organization purchase without a tender process?
Yes, through minor contracts up to €15,000 (excluding VAT) for supplies. The organization must request three quotes and justify its selection. For higher amounts or recurring supplies, a negotiated or open procedure is required depending on the contract 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 lot traceability and a technical datasheet confirming sterilizability by autoclave or gamma radiation. Some centers specifically require CE marking as a Class I or IIa medical device.
How long does payment via FACe take?
The law sets a 30-day payment term from invoice approval, but in practice this varies. Universities and research centers typically pay within 45–60 days. Large hospitals can stretch to 90 days. The key is making sure the invoice is correctly submitted through FACe — a rejection due to a formal error can add weeks to the process.
Can I offer volume discounts to public organizations?
Yes, but they 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 terms after the fact that weren't included in the original offer — this would be considered preferential treatment.
What happens if my invoice is rejected in FACe?
FACe notifies you of the rejection with the reason (incorrect DIR3 code, invalid format, expired certificate). You must correct the error and resubmit the invoice. The payment period restarts from the new correctly registered date. This is why it's critical to monitor the status of each 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 supplying hospitals or materials that become part of finished products, it's virtually essential. A product liability insurance policy of £300,000–£600,000 is generally sufficient for most supply contracts.
See you in the workshop 😎
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