What Are SIC Codes? The Complete Guide for UK Businesses
What Are SIC Codes?
SIC codes (Standard Industrial Classification codes) are five-digit numerical codes that categorise the type of economic activity a business undertakes. Every UK company must declare at least one SIC code when they register with Companies House.
The UK SIC system is based on the European NACE classification and is maintained by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The current version, SIC 2007, contains approximately 730 individual codes organised into a hierarchical structure.
How SIC Codes Are Structured
SIC codes follow a hierarchical pattern:
| Level | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Section | G | Wholesale and retail trade |
| Division | 47 | Retail trade |
| Group | 47.1 | Retail sale in non-specialised stores |
| Class | 47.11 | Retail sale with food, beverages or tobacco predominating |
| Subclass | 47.11/1 | Retail sale with food, beverages or tobacco predominating (large) |
The five-digit code (e.g., 62012 for "Business and domestic software development") provides the most specific categorisation.
Common SIC Codes
Here are some of the most frequently used SIC codes for new UK companies:
- 70229 - Management consultancy activities (other than financial management)
- 62020 - Information technology consultancy activities
- 41100 - Development of building projects
- 68100 - Buying and selling of own real estate
- 47910 - Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet
- 62012 - Business and domestic software development
- 96090 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified
- 69201 - Accounting and auditing activities
- 43999 - Other specialised construction activities
- 74909 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities
How to Find the Right SIC Code for Your Business
When registering a company, you need to choose the SIC code(s) that best describe your business activities. Here's how:
- Browse the official list - The Companies House SIC code search lets you search by keyword
- Think about your primary activity - What does your business actually do, not what industry you consider yourself part of
- Use multiple codes - You can declare up to four SIC codes to cover different aspects of your business
- Be specific - Choose the most specific code that matches, rather than a generic parent category
Why SIC Codes Matter for Business
SIC codes aren't just a regulatory requirement. They're a powerful tool for:
Market Research: SIC codes let you quantify the size of any industry in the UK. How many active companies operate in your sector? How many new ones are being formed each month? Which regions have the highest concentration?
Lead Generation: For B2B companies, SIC codes are the most reliable way to identify potential customers by industry. Unlike self-reported categories on LinkedIn or Google, SIC codes are standardised and mandatory - every limited company has them.
Competitive Analysis: By monitoring new registrations in your SIC code, you can track how many new competitors are entering your market and where they're setting up.
Government and Policy: SIC codes are used extensively in government statistics, grant eligibility criteria, and regulatory frameworks. The right SIC code can determine whether your business qualifies for certain tax reliefs or funding schemes.
Using SIC Codes with NewcoHunter
NewcoHunter is built around SIC codes. Our platform lets you:
- Browse all SIC codes with descriptions and related categories
- Search new companies by SIC code to find businesses in specific industries
- Combine SIC codes with location to find new companies in your target market and geography
- Set up alerts to receive weekly emails when new companies register with your chosen SIC codes
This makes NewcoHunter uniquely powerful for B2B sales teams, accountants, and business service providers who need to find potential clients by industry.