1. Classification
John Perry, UK ONS

2. Promoting standards
EU Compliance – e.g. NACE Revision 2 Regulation (EC) 1893/2006
Improving the quality of data - reduce avoidable differences in outputs caused by use of different classifications.
Comparability for cross survey analysis and integration - Use of standard classifications will increase access to data from different sources and make them comparable across time. Provision of consistent classifications will enable the comparison of statistical products and create an environment in which multiple data sources can be integrated.
Maximise return on data holdings - Statistical information is a key commodity that should be shared. When classifications are standardised internal and external users can be told where they are stored, and which versions are available. Creation of a common standard prevents the proliferation of non standard classifications.
Efficient dissemination – Standardised classifications facilitate self-help for users of data on the web, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing burden on staff responsible for answering questions.
Knowledge management – Use of standard classifications reduces vulnerability to staff turnover by sharing knowledge within the organization, encouraging dissemination of good practice and improving communication with internal and external users.

3. Relevant standards
Industry coding (NACE)
Sector classification (ESA)
National Statistics Country Classification (NSCC)
National geography
Standard Occupational Classification 2000 (SOC)

4. UK Standard Industrial Classification 2003
Created for statistical purposes
Administrative sources provide input to statistical systems
Administrative users need to support their own decisions by analysis
Businesses need to provide information to a wide range of government bodies

5. Standards through coding tools
The UK introduced automated coding tools for coding descriptions of business activity as a means to move from its 1980 to its 1992 industrial classification system
Closer working with the administrative departments and modernisation of the ONS computing systems have resulted in further development of coding tools.
Good basis for using such tools in the introduction of the new European classification, NACE Rev. 2, in 2007.

6. Coding based on business activity description

7. Edited Description
ACTR Index Entry
Blank
SIC2003 and SIC2007 codes
Bridging Codes
ACTR
SIC2003 to 2007 Look-up
Batch
Interactive
Failed
Anomaly ? No
Yes
No input description

8. Adopting SIC
VAT Traders – 14 January 2008
PAYE Employers – own trade codes - business descriptions provided
Company Registrations – changing late in 2008
Farms Survey System – own farm type coding

9. UK Sector Classification for National Accounts
SECTOR 11: Non-financial corporations
SECTOR 12: Financial Corporations
SECTOR 13: General Government
SECTOR 14: Households
SECTOR 15: Non-profit Institutions Serving Households
SECTOR 2: Rest of the World

10. Coding from the business register
legal status
industrial classification (SIC)
country of ownership codes

11. Example
S (Public non-financial corporations)
Enterprises with legal status 4 for all SIC2003 divisions except 65, 66 and 67 are allocated to this sector. Country of ownership code must be GB or blank only.

12. National Statistics Country Classification (NSCC)
Based on the Balance of Payments vade mecum
Primary source is Dun and Bradstreet
own three digit codes
Do not always map to BoP standard
Some users request ISO three-digit codes

13. Issues Dun and Bradstreet ambiguity: United Kingdom Guernsey
United Kingdom Jersey
United Kingdom Isle of Man
United Kingdom United Kingdom
BoP to ISO ambiguity:
Morocco Morocco (inc ISO Western Sahara)
Finland Finland (inc ISO Aland)

14. Examples of country concordance

15. National geography
National Statistics 2001 Area Classification (NSAC)
Rural and Urban Area Classification 2004 (Harmonised)
Standard Names and Codes for UK Geographies (SNAC)

16. Example of geographic coding standard

17. Standard Occupational Classification 2000 (SOC)
Used for coding the annual survey of hours and earnings – a survey of businesses who provide details for a sample of their employees
Coding using ACTR based on occupation descriptions
Link to industry coding