SIC Code Sections: A Complete Overview

The 21 SIC Code Sections

The UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) divides all economic activities into 21 top-level sections. Each section contains divisions, groups, classes and subclasses.

Section A - Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (01-03)

Covers crop production, animal farming, forestry, logging and fishing. Common codes include 01110 (growing of cereals) and 01500 (mixed farming).

Section B - Mining and Quarrying (05-09)

Extraction of minerals, oil, gas and quarrying. Less commonly used for new companies.

Section C - Manufacturing (10-33)

One of the largest sections, covering food manufacturing (10), textiles (13-14), chemicals (20), metals (24-25), electronics (26), machinery (28), and motor vehicles (29). Common code: 10110 (processing and preserving of meat).

Section D - Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning (35)

Energy supply businesses. Code 35110 (production of electricity) is used by renewable energy companies.

Section E - Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste (36-39)

Water treatment, waste collection and recycling businesses.

Section F - Construction (41-43)

A heavily used section for new companies. 41100 (development of building projects), 43999 (other specialised construction), and 41201 (construction of commercial buildings) are among the most popular codes for new registrations.

Section G - Wholesale and Retail Trade (45-47)

Covers all buying and selling. 47910 (retail via internet or mail order) is one of the most commonly declared SIC codes, used by e-commerce businesses. 46900 (non-specialised wholesale) is also popular.

Section H - Transportation and Storage (49-53)

Covers road freight (49410), taxi operation (49320), warehousing (52100), and courier services (53201).

Section I - Accommodation and Food Service (55-56)

Hotels (55100), restaurants (56101), takeaways (56103), and pubs (56302).

Section J - Information and Communication (58-63)

A fast-growing section. 62012 (business and domestic software development), 62020 (IT consultancy), 62090 (other IT service activities), and 58290 (other software publishing) are all heavily used.

Section K - Financial and Insurance Activities (64-66)

Banks, insurance companies, investment funds, and financial intermediaries. 64205 (activities of financial services holding companies) is common.

Section L - Real Estate Activities (68)

Property buying, selling and letting. 68100 (buying and selling of own real estate), 68201 (renting and operating of housing association real estate) and 68209 (other letting of own property) are very popular codes.

Section M - Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (69-75)

A major section for new companies. Includes:

• 69201 - Accounting and auditing activities
• 69102 - Solicitors
• 70229 - Management consultancy activities (one of the most popular SIC codes overall)
• 71111 - Architectural activities
• 73110 - Advertising agencies
• 74909 - Other professional activities n.e.c.

Section N - Administrative and Support Service Activities (77-82)

Covers recruitment (78109), cleaning (81210), security (80100), and office administration (82990).

Section O - Public Administration and Defence (84)

Government activities. Rarely used by private companies.

Section P - Education (85)

Schools, colleges, driving schools (85530), and sports coaching (85510).

Section Q - Human Health and Social Work (86-88)

Medical practices (86210), dental (86230), residential care (87100), and social work (88990).

Section R - Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (90-93)

Covers creative arts (90030), sports clubs (93120), and fitness facilities (93130).

Section S - Other Service Activities (94-96)

Trade unions, membership organisations, personal services. 96090 (other service activities n.e.c.) is one of the most commonly used catch-all codes.

Section T - Activities of Households (97-98)

Households as employers of domestic staff. Rarely used.

Section U - Activities of Extraterritorial Organisations (99)

International organisations. Very rarely used.

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