What are SIC and NAICS codes?

The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system is a US government system for classifying industries by four-digit code.  More recently, it is being supplanted by the North American Industry Classification (NAICS) system.  However, both systems are currently in use, depending on government agency or other information source.  In addition to industries, products, services and companies may be classified by SIC or NAICS.  Many of our business databases allow browsing and/or searching by these codes in order to identify companies, products, industries, etc.

As you search within many of the business research databases, such as Business Source Premier, Mergent Intellect, IBISWorld and others, you may be able to identify useful SIC codes and NAICS codes while searching on keywords, company names, subjects, industries, and in other ways.   This is because these databases list these codes within the descriptions of the articles, company reports, and other information sources you will find.  

In addition to the above approach, below are links to sites that can help to identify relevant codes: