Industry Definitions

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System)
Standard industry classification system used by U.S. government agencies, certain publishers, and most business information providers to classify business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the North American business economy (United States, Canada, and Mexico).

Other Industry Classification Code Systems

SIC (Standard Industrial Classification)
- in use from 1937-1997
- superceded by NAICS
SITC (Standard International Trade Classification) Rev.4
- United Nations Statistics Division
- based on products of industries
ISIC ((International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities) Rev.4
- United Nations Statistics Division
HS (Harmonized System) [World Customs Organization]
an international product classification maintained by the World Customs Organization and is used by more than 200 countries as a basis for their Customs tariffs and for the collection of international trade statistics.