The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) is a system for classifying industries by a four-digit code. Established in the United States in 1937, it was the primary method for industry classification until it was officially superseded by NAICS in 1997.
Why SIC Still Matters
Despite being technologically “retired,” SIC codes remain deeply embedded in various regulatory and financial frameworks:
- SEC Filings: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) still uses SIC codes to classify companies in their EDGAR database.
- Marketing & Sales: Many private data providers and B2B marketers still rely on SIC for legacy compatibility.
- Historical Comparisons: Long-term economic research often bridges the gap between SIC and NAICS for consistent data analysis.
Structure of SIC
- 0100-0999: Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
- 1000-1499: Mining
- 1500-1799: Construction
- 2000-3999: Manufacturing
- 4000-4999: Transportation & Public Utilities
- 5000-5199: Wholesale Trade
- 5200-5999: Retail Trade
- 6000-6799: Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate
- 7000-8999: Services
- 9100-9729: Public Administration
- 9900-9999: Non-classifiable