v

Contents
Page

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iii

Historical background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ix

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xii

Support for ISIC users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xiii

Acronyms and abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xiv

Part one
Introduction
Chapter

Paragraphs

Page

I. Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

121

II. The underlying principles of the classification . . . . . . . . . . . .

2254

A. Purpose and nature of the classification . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2237

1. General considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2227

2. Scope of the classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2829

3. Differences from other types of classifications . . . . . . .

3037

B. Principles used in constructing the classification . . . . . . . .

3845

10

C. Structure and coding system of the classification . . . . . . . .

4654

11

III. Application of the classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55157

13

A. Principal, secondary and ancillary activities . . . . . . . . . . .

5563

13

B. Statistical units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64102

14

1. General remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6475

14

(a) Legal entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7172

15

(b) Institutional units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7375

15

2. Statistical units in the System of National Accounts . . . .

7683

16

(a) Enterprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7779

16

(b) Establishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8083

16

3. Other statistical units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8489

17

(a) Kind-of-activity unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

85

17

(b) Local unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8687

17

(c) Unit of homogeneous production . . . . . . . . . . .

8889

17

4. Delineating statistical units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9099

18

5. National differences in selecting statistical units . . . . . . 100102

19

C. Classification of statistical units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103154

20

1. General guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103112

20

(a) Value-added substitutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107109

20

(b) Problems with output substitutes . . . . . . . . . . . 110111

21

(c) Problems with input substitutes . . . . . . . . . . . .

21

112