Standard industrial classification (SIC) system search

This page allows the user to search the 1987 version SIC manual by keyword, to access descriptive information for a specified 2,3,4-digit SIC, and to examine the manual structure. The SIC system is designed to provide a comprehensive, detailed framework for the collection and tabulation of establishment-based statistics by the Federal Government. Establishments can be a one location company or an individual facility of a nationwide corporation. Establishments are classified into Industries by the products made or the services rendered. Industries are identified by a four-digit number, and are aggregated into three-digit Industry Groups, two-digit Major Groups, and Divisions that are identified by a single letter. The definition of each Industry is typically accompanied by one or more examples, called index items, that are used for clarification and illustrative purposes. For example, manufacturers of PCV valves are listed under Industry 3714 (Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories), which is part of Industry Group 371 (Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment), which is part of Major Group 37 (Transportation Equipment), which is part of Division D (Manufacturing). Some agencies have an additional level of detail for kinds of business or specific products manufactured by the Industry. The fifth digit is not part of the SIC standard (except in the case of Auxiliaries discussed later), and often misleads data users to think that the SIC system is based on commodities rather than on economic activity. Other governmentwide classification systems exist for commodities.