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Data reference standard on industry classification system

1. Preamble

  • 1.1 This data reference provides a standard list of values to categorize industries and report economic data. The list reflects the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and is designed to provide common definitions of the industrial structure of countries within the North American Free Trade Agreement (Canada, Mexico and the United States).
  • 1.2 This list is intended to standardize the way industry classifications are described in datasets to enable data interoperability and improve data quality.
  • 1.3 The numbering system is a six-digit code, of which the first five digits are used to describe the NAICS level used by the three countries to produce comparable data.
    • 1.3.1 The first two digits designate the sector.
    • 1.3.2 The third digit designates the subsector.
    • 1.3.3 The fourth digit designates the industry group.
    • 1.3.4 The fifth digit designates the industry.
    • 1.3.5 The sixth digit designates national industries.
      • 1.3.5.1 A zero as the sixth digit indicates that there is no further national detail.
  • 1.4 This data reference standard will be reviewed as required by the data reference steward in consultation with the data reference standard custodian.
    • 1.4.1 Data reference steward: Statistics Canada
    • 1.4.2 Data reference standard custodian: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

2. Effective date

  • 2.1 This data reference standard takes effect on December 15, 2023.

3. Requirements

  • 3.1 This data reference standard provides details on the requirements set out in subsection 4.3.1 of the Directive on Service and Digital.
  • 3.2 Service owners and data practitioners must:
    • 3.2.1 Apply the latest NAICS Canada version (Appendix A) to describe industry classifications in datasets.

4. Requirements

  • 4.1 This data reference standard applies to organizations described in Section 6 of the Directive on Service and Digital.
  • 4.2 This data reference standard applies to datasets and systems that are developed after the effective date of this reference standard.

5. References

6. Enquiries

Appendix A: Data reference tables

This data reference standard is available in various formats, including machine-readable formats. “Machine-readable” means that software can be directed to reference the table and automatically pull names and codes through an application programming interface (API).

Correspondence table

HTML format

CSV format

Page details

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