NAICS, (pronounced nakes) is the North American Industry Classification System. NAICS is used by business and government to classify and measure economic activity in Canada, Mexico and the United States. It replaces the older and now obsolete Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.

The NAICS numbering system is a six-digit code. The first five digits are generally (although not always strictly) the same in all three countries. The last digit designates national industries. The first two digits designate the largest business sector, the third digit designates the subsector, the fourth digit designates the industry group, and the fifth digit designates particular industries.

The system is designed to be somewhat compatible with the United Nations Statistical Office's International Standard Industrial Classification System ISIC. Work began on NAICS in the U.S. in 1992, when the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) formed the U.S. Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC), staffed by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the Census Bureau. NAICS takes into account the huge economic change towards service businesses. The first version is NAICS 1997. The next revision is NAICS 2002.

U. S. NAICS Example

Sector33 Manufacturing
Subsector339Miscellaneous Manufacturing
Industry Group3399Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
Industry33994Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing
U. S. Industry339941Pen and Mechanical Pencil Manufacturing

NAICS 2002 Sectors

11 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
21 Mining
22 Utilities
23 Construction
31-33 Manufacturing
42 Wholesale Trade
44-45 Retail Trade
48-49 Transportation and Warehousing
51 Information
52 Finance and Insurance
53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
55 Management of Companies and Enterprises
56 Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
61 Education Services
62 Health Care and Social Assistance
71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
72 Accommodation and Food Services
81 Other Services (except Public Administration)
92 Public Administration

Bibliography

"North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): Executive Office of the President Office of Management and Budget"; Jist Works; (January 1999); ISBN 1563705370

"Harris' Complete Guide to NAICS" by Scott M. Vogel; Harris Infosource;(September 19, 2001); ISBN 1556009224

"NAICS Desk Reference", Jist Works, U. S. Census Bureau; JIST Publishing; (July 2000); ISBN 1563706946

External links