References
International Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities, ST/ESA/STAT/SER.M/4/Rev.4

Language availability: English

Purpose
ISIC Rev.4 is a standard classification of economic activities arranged so that entities can be classified according to the activity they carry out. The categories of ISIC at the most detailed level (classes) are delineated according to what is, in most countries, the customary combination of activities described in statistical units and considers the relative importance of the activities included in these classes. While ISIC Rev.4 continues to use criteria such as input, output and use of the products produced, more emphasis has been given to the character of the production process in defining and delineating ISIC classes.

The groups and divisions, the successively broader levels of classification, combine the activities of producing units according to: similarities in the character of the goods and services produced, the uses to which the goods and services are put, and the inputs, process and technology of production.

Wide use has been made of ISIC, both nationally and internationally, in classifying data according to kind of economic activity in the fields of production, employment, gross domestic product and other statistical areas. ISIC is a basic tool for studying economic phenomena, fostering international comparability of data, providing guidance for the development of national classifications and for promoting the development of sound national statistical systems.

In providing more up-to-date detail, this revision of the classification provides a closer representation of current economic reality. In addition, the Revision 4 of ISIC has improved comparability with other regional activity classifications in use around the world.

Custodian
UNSD
Economic Statistics and Classifications Section
Fax: 212 963 1374
Email: chl@un.org

Revision Status
Year of last revision: Expected 2006
Years between revisions: Irregular
Revision number: 4
Revision status remarks: This classification has been presented in draft format to the Expert Group on International Economic and Social Classifications. The Expert Group has endorsed its structure. The classification will be presented to the Statistical Commission for approval in March 2006. Upon approval, print publications and translations into other official UN languages will follow.

Available indexes
Alphabetical index: No
Numeric index: No

Relationship with international classifications:
Other correspondences/links:
Correlation between revisions: Correspondence between ISIC Rev.4 and ISIC Rev.3.1 in preparation
Remarks:

Classification Unit: Kind of activity

Classification Structure
Structure Level 1: Sections (A:one-letter alpha code- A to U)
Structure Level 2: Divisions (N:2-digit codes)
Structure Level 3: Groups (N:3-digit codes)
Structure Level 4: Classes (N:4-digit codes)
Remarks: Hierarchical structure consisting of "Sections" (21), "Divisions" (88), "Groups" (238) and "Classes" (420)

Availability in machine readable form: PDF, MSACCESS database in English