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
Sector | 33 | Manufacturing |
Subsector | 339 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing |
Industry Group | 3399 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing |
Industry | 33994 | Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing |
U. S. Industry | 339941 | Pen and Mechanical Pencil Manufacturing |
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 |
"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