Standard Industrial Classification


Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)

A code system that designates a unique business activity classified by industry.

Standard Industrial Classification

A system of four digit codes used in business to classify the industry to which a company belongs. The SIC was created by the U.S. government in 1937 to facilitate communication within and between businesses and industries. For the most part, the SIC was replaced by the six digit NAICS in 1997, but the SEC still uses the SIC. For example, an oil and gas exploration company might file with the SEC under the code 1382.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)

a system which codifies and measures groups of economic activity at various levels of aggregation and disaggregation. In the UK, the Standard Industrial Classification comprises 10 major divisions, 60 classes, 222 groups and 334 activities. Activities, or their equivalent ‘industries’ (see INDUSTRY), are derived on the basis of their supply characteristics, in particular the use of common raw materials and processes of manufacture. Such a classification provides a useful source of information on industry structure and statistical details of employment, output and investment by the industrial sector. However, for purposes of MARKETING strategy, SIC data usually needs to be reinterpreted in order to provide more meaningful specifications of MARKETS, defined in terms of groups of products which are regarded by buyers as close substitute products. To illustrate, glass jars and metal cans are assigned to different industries by the SIC (Division 2, Activity ‘glass containers’, Division 3 ‘packaging products of metal’, respectively), but would be regarded by a user of packaging materials such as a coffee manufacturer as substitute products. See STRUCTURE OF INDUSTRY.

standard industrial classification

see INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION.