12. Mistakes to avoid

12.1 Don't confuse special specifications with general specifications

General specifications govern the contractual aspects of contracts by category. They apply to contracts that expressly refer to them. In this case, candidates are confronted with two types of specifications:

• general specifications, which set out the general provisions specific to a category of contracts;

• special specifications, in which the public purchaser specifies the particular features of its contract.

The general specifications are known by the acronym CCAG (cahier des clauses administratives générales), and can be consulted at