Which SIC Code Should I Use?

SIC stands for Standard Industrial Classification. This is the list of  numerical codes that the UK government uses to categorise limited companies' niches in the UK.

The UK Office for National Statistics defines SIC codes as follows:

“The UK standard industrial classification of economic activities, abbreviated as UK SIC, is a 5-digit classification providing the framework for collecting and presenting a large range of statistical data according to economic activity.”

When a company is registered at Companies House, at least one SIC code must be provided. It describes what your company does as its core activity.

This requirement was introduced on 30th June 2016. Previously, companies did not have to state what their SIC code(s) were when they were set up. They were stated on the first annual return the company did. This return has recently been replaced by the confirmation statement.

Please make sure you are using the correct SIC code(s) for your business.

Click here to find out the SIC code you're currently using on Companies House.

SIC codes are used by government agencies to identify and categorise the main business activities of limited companies registered in the UK.

At the moment there are more than 600 individual SIC codes.

Using them, the UK government can identify emerging economic trends, monitor the number of companies operating within different industries and assess the ongoing health of various parts of the wider UK economy.

If you're not using the right SIC code, and wish to change it, you will need to submit a Confirmation Statement with Companies House.

Our customers can buy a Confirmation Statement Submission service from their account dashboard.

Search for your SIC code here.


If you can't find your SIC code, try this: Look up some of your competitors in the Companies House database and see what SIC code they are using. Then use that code in your own Companies House listing or formation.

Are you a startup? Go here to form a company.


References:

Office For National Statistics (UK)
UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007)
UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities

Wikipedia
US vs UK SIC Codes