Industry code

The industry code is a numeric or alphanumeric identifier assigned to each company based on its economic activity. This code is part of an industrial classification system, which varies by country.

What is it?

The IndustryCode field represents the specific code within the industrial classification system used in a given country. This code defines a company’s primary economic activity and enables its categorisation within an industry sector.

Each country applies its own classification system with corresponding nomenclature:

  • Spain: CNAE (Clasificación Nacional de Actividades Económicas)
  • France: NAF (Nomenclature d'Activités Française)
  • Italy: ATECO (Classificazione ATECO)
  • Mexico: SCIAN (Sistema de Clasificación Industrial de América del Norte)

What is it for?

For data and B2B sales teams, IndustryCode is a key data point because it enables:

  • Precise identification of the sector in which a company operates.
  • Segmentation of clients and prospects by economic activity.
  • Comparison of companies within the same industry.
  • Market analysis and sector studies.
  • Standardisation of data across multi-country business databases.

The industry code allows rapid understanding of a company’s specialisation and supports tailored commercial strategies and data analysis.

Codes by country

Each country uses its own industry code system. Below are examples from each classification.

Spain (CNAE)

The CNAE is a hierarchical system where codes are organised into sections and subcategories. Examples include:

CNAE CodeDescription
0113Growing of vegetables, roots and tubers
1419Manufacture of other wearing apparel and accessories
4724Retail sale of bread and bakery products
6201Computer programming activities
7022Other business and management consultancy activities

France (NAF)

The NAF system is based on the European NACE classification with country-specific adaptations. Examples include:

NAF CodeDescription
10.71AManufacture of bread and fresh bakery products
25.62AMachining
47.11DSupermarkets
62.01ZComputer programming
70.22ZBusiness and other management consultancy

Italy (ATECO)

The ATECO classification is the official system in Italy, used in commercial registries and tax reporting. Examples include:

ATECO CodeDescription
10.71.10Manufacture of fresh bread and bakery products
14.19.00Manufacture of other wearing apparel and accessories
47.11.10Hypermarkets
62.01.00Software production not connected with publishing
70.22.09Other business consultancy and corporate planning

Mexico (SCIAN)

The SCIAN (Sistema de Clasificación Industrial de América del Norte) is the standard used in Mexico, aligned with the US and Canada. Examples include:

SCIAN CodeDescription
311812Traditional breadmaking
315229Manufacture of other outerwear
445110Supermarkets and self-service stores
541511Software development
541611Management consultancy

Conclusion

The IndustryCode is a unique identifier that classifies each company within its industrial sector. While formats vary by country, the purpose remains the same: to structure economic information in a standardised way.

Examples

By industry sectors

By curated industries