The UK’s Standard Industrial Classification has received its biggest revision in almost two decades.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published UK SIC 2026 in April 2026, replacing the SIC 2007 classification framework with an updated structure designed to better represent today’s economy.
But SIC 2026 isn’t simply SIC 2007 with a few additional codes.
Business Data Prospects has analysed the published SIC 2026 structure against SIC 2007 at both class and subclass level to identify what has actually changed.
Our analysis identified 47 class-level instances where an activity moves to a different SIC code while remaining substantially the same, and 135 where the code remains the same but the published heading changes. More substantial changes include existing SIC 2007 classifications being reorganised or divided across several more specific SIC 2026 activities.
The changes span a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and energy to technology, retail, transport, healthcare and financial services.
Below, we highlight some of the most significant changes identified in our analysis and what they could mean for businesses using SIC codes.
What is SIC 2026?
UK SIC 2026 is the latest version of the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities, the system used to classify businesses according to their principal economic activity.
SIC classifications are used extensively by the ONS, Companies House and businesses, as well as for market research, data segmentation and B2B prospecting.
The previous major classification, SIC 2007, has been in place for almost two decades. During that period the UK economy has changed considerably, particularly across technology, energy, digital services and newer business models.
SIC 2026 updates the classification to better represent these activities and align the UK framework with updated international classifications.
For an explanation of how SIC codes work and the wider classification, see our UK SIC code list & complete guide.
When will SIC 2026 replace SIC 2007?
Although SIC 2026 has now been published, businesses won’t move from SIC 2007 to SIC 2026 overnight.
The ONS plans to introduce the classification progressively across its systems. This will begin with business registers, followed by its use in business survey sampling and eventually the UK National Accounts.
The earliest anticipated use within the National Accounts is currently the 2031 Blue Book.
This creates a transition period during which understanding the relationship between SIC 2007 and SIC 2026 will become increasingly important for organisations working with business data.
BDP analysis: what has actually changed in SIC 2026?
Business Data Prospects has compared the published SIC 2026 structure with SIC 2007 at both class and subclass level to understand the extent of the revision.
Our analysis identified three broad types of change:
- activities where the SIC code itself has changed, despite the activity remaining broadly the same;
- classifications that retain the same code but have an updated description or scope; and
- more substantial changes where both the classification and its structure have changed, including existing activities being split across several more specific SIC 2026 classifications.
This means SIC 2026 is considerably more than a collection of additional codes for new industries.
Examples of SIC code changes identified by BDP
Some activities retain essentially the same description but move to a different SIC code under the new structure.
| SIC 2007 | SIC 2026 | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 01.49 | 01.48 | Raising of other animals |
| 14.12 | 14.23 | Manufacture of workwear |
| 14.14 | 14.22 | Manufacture of underwear |
| 16.10 | 16.11 | Sawmilling and planing of wood |
| 35.12 | 35.13 | Transmission of electricity |
| 35.13 | 35.14 | Distribution of electricity |
| 35.14 | 35.15 | Trade of electricity |
Our review found 47 class-level instances of this type, where an activity is represented under a different code in SIC 2026 while its description remains the same or substantially the same.
Same SIC code, but a changing definition
We also identified 135 class-level classifications where the code remains the same but the published heading has changed.
Some changes are relatively minor wording updates, while others alter or broaden the activity represented by the classification.
| Code | SIC 2007 | SIC 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 01.63 | Post-harvest crop activities | Post-harvest crop activities and seed processing for propagation |
| 10.11 | Processing and preserving of meat | Processing and preserving of meat, except of poultry meat |
| 10.51 | Operation of dairies and cheese making | Manufacture of dairy products |
| 35.11 | Production of electricity | Production of electricity from non-renewable sources |
| 58.21 | Publishing of computer games | Publishing of video games |
| 68.31 | Real estate agencies | Intermediation service activities for real estate activities |
Where SIC 2007 classifications have been split or reorganised
The most significant changes occur where SIC 2007 activities have been reorganised or divided between several SIC 2026 classifications.
Software development provides a particularly clear example.
Under SIC 2007, subclass 62.01/2 – Business and domestic software development covered a broad range of software businesses.
Our analysis found that SIC 2026 maps this activity across a much more detailed set of classifications, including software developed specifically for:
- science, technology and industrial production;
- construction, structural engineering and architecture;
- retail and distribution;
- creative media and immersive applications;
- financial services;
- law, accounting and professional services;
- advertising;
- health and medicine; and
- other industry or product-specific applications.
SIC 2026 also separately identifies 62.13/1 – Software development of general-purpose AI tools not specialised to industry or product applications.
This is a good example of what the revision is intended to achieve: activities that previously sat within a relatively broad classification can now be distinguished much more precisely.
Ready to work with a data partner you can trust?
Get accurate, compliant business data delivered quickly and tailored to your campaign objectives.
What Business Data Prospects’ review tells us
The scale of the correspondence between SIC 2007 and SIC 2026 means that simply counting new codes doesn’t tell the whole story.
A single SIC 2007 classification can correspond with several SIC 2026 activities, while some classifications have changed only in wording and others have moved to a different code.
For businesses using SIC codes for market analysis, database segmentation or B2B targeting, the nature of the change is therefore just as important as whether the code itself has changed.
About this analysis: Business Data Prospects compared the published UK SIC 2007 and SIC 2026 classifications at class and subclass level. The underlying classifications are published by the Office for National Statistics.
Key industry changes in SIC 2026
Energy and sustainability
Energy is another area where our review found substantial changes.
The SIC 2026 structure distinguishes between the production of electricity from renewable and non-renewable sources and includes a specific classification for electricity storage.
New and developing economic activities such as battery materials recovery and other areas associated with the changing energy market are also more clearly represented.
The growth of intermediary services
One of the most interesting patterns identified during BDP’s review is the number of classifications relating specifically to intermediation services.
SIC 2026 contains intermediary classifications across areas including retail, passenger and freight transport, accommodation, food and beverage services, construction, education, healthcare, rental and leasing, repairs and personal services.
This reflects a significant change in the way many markets now operate.
Digital platforms and other intermediary businesses can facilitate transactions between customers and service providers without necessarily providing the underlying product or service themselves. The revised classification provides greater scope to distinguish these businesses from the companies actually delivering the service.
Healthcare
Healthcare also receives greater distinction under SIC 2026.
Our review identified separate classifications covering areas including diagnostic imaging and medical laboratories, ambulance transportation, psychology and psychotherapy, nursing and midwifery, physiotherapy, traditional and complementary medicine and other human health activities.
For market analysis and B2B segmentation, distinctions such as these could provide a much clearer view of individual healthcare markets.
Have all SIC codes changed?
Not all existing SIC codes have changed under SIC 2026.
SIC 2026, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), does not replace every existing economic activity with an entirely new one.
Many established business activities continue to be represented within the new structure. However, depending on the activity, its classification may remain broadly equivalent, have a revised description, move within the structure or be divided into more specific classifications.
This is an important distinction for businesses maintaining SIC-coded databases.
Even under the existing system, a SIC code does not always provide a complete description of what a company does. As SIC 2026 is introduced, accurate mapping and interpretation of the classifications will therefore be important, particularly where an existing SIC 2007 activity has been divided across several SIC 2026 classifications.
What SIC 2026 means for B2B data
SIC codes are one of the most useful starting points for identifying companies within particular industries, but the revised classifications could eventually make some forms of industry targeting considerably more precise.
Greater distinction between activities could make it easier to separate businesses that currently sit within the same broad SIC 2007 classification.
For example, organisations looking for particular types of technology, healthcare, energy or intermediary businesses may eventually be able to define those audiences more precisely using SIC 2026.
However, SIC classifications remain only one part of accurate B2B targeting.
Business Data Prospects combines industry classifications with additional information including company size, turnover, employee numbers, geography and decision-maker data to identify businesses matching more specific requirements, before delving deeper into individual companies to understand exactly what they do.
These audiences can then be combined with named decision-makers and individual work email addresses for businesses using B2B email data for sales and marketing.
During the transition to SIC 2026, understanding both the old and new classifications will be particularly important when analysing and segmenting UK company data.
Do businesses need to change their SIC codes now?
Businesses do not need to change their SIC codes immediately.
SIC 2026 has been published; however, its implementation is being phased across UK statistical systems.
Businesses and organisations that make extensive use of SIC classifications can begin reviewing the new structure and considering how existing SIC 2007 classifications correspond with SIC 2026.
The ONS has published a correspondence table to assist with mapping between the classifications.
See the complete UK SIC code list
This analysis focuses specifically on what has changed between SIC 2007 and SIC 2026 rather than reproducing the complete classification.
For the full list, an explanation of how SIC codes work, common UK SIC codes and guidance on using classifications for business targeting, see our UK SIC Code List & Complete Guide.
SIC 2026 FAQs
Is SIC 2026 replacing SIC 2007?
Yes. SIC 2026 is the new UK Standard Industrial Classification and represents a major revision of SIC 2007. Its implementation will take place progressively rather than all systems changing immediately.
Is SIC 2007 still in use?
Yes. SIC 2007 remains relevant during the transition to the new classification
Is SIC 2026 just a list of new SIC codes?
No. BDP’s analysis found changes throughout the classification. As well as new and more specific activities, existing classifications have been renamed, reorganised, combined or divided.
Are there new technology classifications?
Yes. Technology and software are among the areas where SIC 2026 provides greater distinction, reflecting changes in digital and technology-related economic activity since SIC 2007 was introduced.
Are all existing SIC codes changing?
No. Many established economic activities remain represented, although businesses should not assume that every SIC 2007 classification has a simple one-to-one equivalent in SIC 2026.
Where can I find the full UK SIC code list?
You can view our complete UK SIC Code List, together with guidance on what SIC codes mean, how to find them and how they can be used for business research and B2B targeting.
