Management and Budget Office
Under 44 U.S.C. 3504, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is seeking public comment on a series of notices documenting the development of the new North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), the industry classification system being proposed to replace the current Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. All Federal agencies that collect establishment-based data are expected to utilize the new system. OMB is seeking comments on the usefulness and advisability of the proposed new NAICS as submitted by the Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC), an interagency committee established by OMB. This notice, the sixth related to preparation of NAICS and the fourth in a series seeking comment on proposed industry structures, presents the entire proposed industry structure for NAICS including those sectors not previously published, the hierarchy, and the coding system. The structure and coding system shown in Part IV, Table 1 do not include any changes based on comments received in response to previous Federal Register notices regarding NAICS. The ECPC is currently reviewing those comments. Thus comments provided in response to any of the previous notices need not be resubmitted. This fall OMB will publish the ECPC's final recommendations to OMB for comment in a Federal Register notice that incorporates all of the ECPC's recommended revisions to the structure and coding system based on comments received in the U.S. and comments received by Canada and Mexico. NAICS is being developed in cooperation with Statistics Canada and Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Estadistica, Geografia e Informatica (INEGI). The new NAICS system provides common industry definitions for Canada, Mexico, and the United States to facilitate economic analyses that cover the economies of the three North American countries. The three country collaboration on an industry classification system for North America was announced for public comment in the Federal Register, July 26, 1994, pp. 38092-38096. The July 26, 1994 Federal Register notice includes the concepts for the new system, as developed by Statistics Canada, Mexico's INEGI, and the ECPC. It also includes a copy of the joint statement of the three countries' statistical agencies regarding the development of NAICS. That agreement includes the following principles: (1) NAICS will be erected on a production-oriented, or supply- based, conceptual framework. This means that producing units that use identical or similar production processes will be grouped together in NAICS. (2) The system will give special attention to developing production-oriented classifications for (a) new and emerging industries, (b) service industries in general, and (c) industries engaged in the production of advanced technologies. (3) Time series continuity will be maintained to the extent possible. However, changes in the economy and proposals from data users must be considered. In addition, adjustments will be required for sectors where the United States, Canada, and Mexico presently have incompatible industry classification definitions in order to produce a common industry system for all three North American countries. (4) The system will strive for compatibility with the 2-digit level of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC, Rev. 3) of the United Nations. ECPC Report No. 3--Summary of Public Responses to the Proposed New North American Industry Classification Industry System provides a summary of public comments received in response to the July 26, 1994, Federal Register notice. A notice was published in the Federal Register, July 26, 1995, pp. 38436-38452, requesting comment on proposed industry structures for petroleum and coal product manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, and rubber and plastics manufacturing; for broadcasting and telecommunications; and for food services and drinking places and accommodations. A second Federal Register notice was published on February 6, 1996, pp. 4524-4578, requesting comment on proposed industry structures for crop production, animal production, forestry and logging; textile mills, textile product mills, apparel manufacturing, and leather and allied product manufacturing; food manufacturing and beverage and tobacco product manufacturing; fabricated metal product manufacturing; machinery manufacturing; electrical equipment, appliance and component manufacturing; and transportation equipment manufacturing. A third Federal Register notice was published on May 28, 1996, pp. 26558-26668, requesting comment on proposed industry structures for health and social assistance; educational services; computers and electronics product manufacturing; furniture manufacturing; printing and related support activities; professional, technical and scientific services; performing arts, spectator sports and related industries; museums, historical sites and similar institutions; recreation, amusement and gambling; information; wood product manufacturing, except furniture; rental and leasing; repair and maintenance; management and support; transportation; mining; paper manufacturing; nonmetallic minerals manufacturing; primary metal manufacturing; miscellaneous manufacturing; and postal service and couriers.
Citation: 61 FR 35384
