SICS ROC Taiwan: Standard Industrial Classification of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

SICS ROC Rev. 11 has been in force in Taiwan since 1 January 2021. While based on the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 4, the two systems have the same number of industries (88) only at the second (Division) level.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 10 and SICS ROC Rev. 11

The 2021 Classification introduced only minor updates compared to the 2016 Classification, as both versions are based on ISIC Rev. 4. The main change was a slight increase in the number of detailed industries. Specifically, the number of three-digit groups rose from 247 in the 2016 Classification to 249 in the 2021 Classification, while the number of four-digit classes increased from 517 to 522. Newly added classes include 0898 (Manufacture of health supplements), 1931 (Manufacture of cleaning preparations), 1932 (Manufacture of cosmetics), and 8701 (Residential nursing care services).

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 11

SICS ROC Rev. 11 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Section: 19 Sections identified by letters A to S.

• Division: 88 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes (01-96).

• Group: 249 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes (011-969).

• Class: 522 Classes identified by four-digit numerical codes (0111-9690).

The table below shows the number of subcategories in the 19 sections of the 2021 Classification. The Major Division C (Manufacturing) is by far the most detailed with 194 classes followed by Major Division G (Wholesale and retail trade) with 92 classes.

Taiwan's 2021 Classification retains the four-level structure of ISIC Rev. 4, on which it is modeled. However, the number of industries aligns with ISIC Rev. 4 only at the two-digit (division) level, with both having 88 industries. Taiwan's 2021 Classification differs at other levels: it has 19 sections compared to 21 in ISIC Rev. 4, 249 groups compared to 238 in ISIC Rev. 4, and 522 classes compared to 419 in ISIC Rev. 4. Like Japan's (JSIC Rev. 14) and China's (CSIC 2017) adaptations of the ISIC system, Taiwan's approach includes additional four-digit industries but no fifth level. Other Asian countries—such as South Korea (KSIC Rev. 14), Philippines (PSIC 2019), and India (NIC 2008)—have added a fifth level to their ISIC-based systems. An example of how Taiwan's 2021 Classification expands ISIC Rev. 4 groups into more detailed classes is group 641 (Monetary intermediation). ISIC Rev. 4 includes only two classes under this group: 6411 (Central banking) and 6419 (Other monetary intermediation). In contrast, Taiwan's 2021 Classification divides group 641 into six subclasses: 6411 (Central Banking), 6412 (Banking), 6413 (Credit Cooperatives), 6414 (Credit Departments of Farmers and Fishermen Associations), 6415 (Postal Saving and Remittance Services), and 6419 (Other Monetary Intermediation).

Resources

• 2021 Industrial Classification (Current) - Codes with their titles

• 2021 Industrial Classification (Current) - Manual (In Chinese)

SCI ROC Rev. 10 was in force from 2016 to 2020. While based on the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 4, the two systems have the same number of industries (88) only at the second (Division) level.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 9 and SICS ROC Rev. 10

Several activities in SICS ROC Rev. 9 were merged in SICS ROC Rev. 10. The extensive consolidation led to a significant reduction in the number of four-digit classes from 551 in SICS ROC Rev. 9 to 517 in SICS ROC Rev. 10. Examples of mergers include agricultural activities, where the SICS ROC Rev. 9 classes 0110 (Post-harvest crop handling services), 0120 (Agricultural support services), 0133 (Livestock support services), and 0139 (Other agricultural support services) were combined in SICS ROC Rev. 10 to form the class 0130 (Agricultural and livestock support services). In the manufacturing sector—where most SICS ROC Rev. 10 changes occurred—modifications include the merger of SICS ROC Rev. 9 classes 1231 (Hosiery manufacturing), 1232 (Textile glove manufacturing), 1233 (Textile hat manufacturing), and 1239 (Other apparel accessories manufacturing) into a single revised class: 1230 (Apparel accessories manufacturing). Similarly, the old classes 1810 (Basic chemical material manufacturing) and 1820 (Petrochemical raw material manufacturing) were merged into the revised class 1810 (Chemical raw material manufacturing).

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 10

SICS ROC Rev. 10 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Section: 19 Sections identified by letters A to S.

• Division: 88 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 247 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Class: 517 Classes identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 10 - Code (Excel)

• SICS ROC Rev. 10 - Manual (in Chinese)

SICS ROC Rev. 9 was in force from 2011 to 2015. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 4, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 8 and SICS ROC Rev. 9

In addition to routine revisions to category names and definitions, SICS ROC Rev. 9 merged a number of categories from SICS ROC Rev. 8. For example, the former classes 1111 (Yarn spinning mills, cotton) and 1112 (Yarn spinning mills, wool) were merged into class 1111 (Spinning of yarn, cotton and wool). The class 2009 (Manufacture of other medicinal chemical products) was also added to SICS ROC Rev. 9 capturing the manufacturing of various medical care materials such as bandages, sterilized gauze, medical plaster, surgical dressings, and catgut sutures - products that were in SICS ROC Rev. 8 classified under class 2002 (Drugs and medicines manufacturing). In the professional services sector, the SICS ROC Rev. 8 classes 7311 (General advertising), 7312 (Outdoor advertising), and 7319 (Other advertising) were in SICS ROC Rev. 9 combined into a single class: 7310 (Advertising).

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 9

SICS ROC Rev. 9 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Section: 19 Sections identified by letters A to S.

• Division: 89 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 254 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Class: 551 Classes identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 9 - Codes (Excel)

• SICS ROC Rev. 9 - Manual (in Chinese)

SICS ROC Rev. 8 was in force from 2006 to 2011. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 4, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 7 SICS ROC Rev. 8

SICS ROC Rev. 7 was extensively revised in SICS ROC Rev. 8 to reflect the change in the international reference from ISIC Rev. 3 to ISIC Rev. 4. This reorganization expanded the first-level categories from 16 to 19 and second-level categories from 82 to 89, while consolidating third-level categories from 259 to 253 and fourth-level categories from 605 to 557. These comprehensive changes required the recoding of most activities.

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 8

SICS ROC Rev. 8 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Section: 19 Sections identified by letters A to S.

• Division: 89 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 253 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Class: 557 Classes identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 8 - Codes

• SICS ROC Rev. 8 - Manual (in Chinese)

SICS ROC Rev. 7 was in force from 2001 to 2006. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 3, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 6 and SICS ROC Rev. 7

The international reference remained unchanged, but SICS ROC Rev. 7 introduced substantial revisions compared to SICS ROC Rev. 6. The number of first-level categories increased from 11 to 16, with new additions including Section F (Trade), Section L (Educational Services), and Section M (Health Care and Social Welfare Services). These new sections incorporated elements previously classified under Sector J (Social, Personal, and Related Community Services). Additionally, second-level industries increased from 70 to 82, and third-level categories expanded from 229 to 259. However, fourth-level categories decreased slightly from 615 to 605. The revision also involved several mergers across all classification levels. For example, at the four-digit level, restaurant activities previously separated in SICS ROC Rev. 6—5711 (Chinese food restaurants), 5712 (Western food restaurants), and 5713 (Japanese food restaurants)—were combined into a single industry: 5110 (Restaurants). Further changes included the renaming and recoding of activities.

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 7

SICS ROC Rev. 7 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Section: 16 Sections identified by letters A to P.

• Division: 82 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 259 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Class: 605 Classes identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 7 - Codes with titles

SICS ROC Rev. 6 was in force from 1996 to 2001. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 3, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 5 and SICS ROC Rev. 6

The international reference remained unchanged, but SICS ROC Rev. 6 made several changes to SICS ROC Rev. 5. At the first level of the system the SICS ROC Rev. 5 section X (Other nonclassifiable trades) was removed leading to a reduction in the number of industries at that level from 12 to 11. At the detailed ends of the system there was a consolidation of activities leading to a reduction in the number of three-digit industries from 232 in SICS ROC Rev. 5 to 229 in SICS ROC Rev. 6 and the number of four-digit industries from 598 to 615. New four-digit industries in SICS ROC Rev. 6 include machine production activities like 2981 (Air compressors and exhaust fans, fans manufacturing), 2982 (Pneumatic and hydratic parts and components manufacturing), and 2983 (Bearings, gears and power transmissions manufacturing). In recognition of the growing importance of high-tech industries, a class for semiconductors—3172 (Semiconductor manufacturing)—was also established, highlighting the sector’s emerging role as a key driver of Taiwan’s industrial transformation and export economy.

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 6

SICS ROC Rev. 6 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Section: 11 Sections identified by letters A to K.

• Division: 70 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 229 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Class: 615 Classes identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 6 - Codes with titles

SICS ROC Rev. 5 was in force from 1991 to 1996. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 3, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 4 and SICS ROC Rev. 5

The changes between SICS ROC Rev. 4 and SICS ROC Rev. 5 reflect the switch in the international standard from ISIC Rev. 2 to ISIC Rev. 3. This update resulted in a structural change at the first classification level, replacing numerical codes with alphabetical ones. At more granular levels, SIC ROC Rev. 5 introduced several new four-digit categories to accommodate Taiwan's evolving industries. Among the key modifications was the reclassification of the former item 3622 (Electronic products manufacturing) into a broader group, 315 (Audio-visual electronics manufacturing), which now has new classes: 3151 (Television, video recorder manufacturing), 3152 (Record players, radio and recorder manufacturing), and 3153 (Audio-visual components manufacturing industry). The revision also added new service activities, such as financial services under group 661 (Securities industry), featuring newly established classes: 6611 (Securities brokerage industry), 6612 (Securities investment advisory industry), 6613 (Securities investment trust industry), and 6619 (Other securities industries).

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 5

SICS ROC Rev. 5 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Section: 12 Sections identified by letters A to X.

• Division: 72 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 232 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Class: 598 Classes identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 5 - Codes with their titles (in Chinese)

SICS ROC Rev. 4 was in force from 1987 to 1991. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 2, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 3 and SICS ROC Rev. 4

The update from SICS ROC Rev. 3 to SICS Rev. 4 was a relatively minor with both systems based on ISIC Rev. 2. The highlight of the update was an increase in detailed industries from 412 items in SICS ROC Rev. 3 to 432 in SICS ROC Rev. 4. A notable modification is the recoding and splitting of the old item 8414 (Consulting services) into more specific industries 8421 (Engineering consulting industry), 8422 (Investment advisory industry), 8423 (Management consulting industry), 8424 (Credit market reporting industry), and 8429 (Other consulting industries).

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 4

SICS ROC Rev. 4 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Major Division: 10 Major Divisions identified by one-digit numerical codes (0-9) and one Major Division identified by the letter X (Activities not adequately defined).

• Division: 58 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 117 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Item: 432 Items identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 4 - Codes with their titles (in Chinese)

SICS ROC Rev. 3 was in force from 1984 to 1987. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 2, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 2 and SICS ROC Rev. 3

SICS ROC Rev. 3 introduced greater detail by expanding the number of four-digit items from 330 to 412, splitting several items into more specific industries. This update included the creation of a new agricultural sector group 013 (Agricultural services) with items 0131 (Crop cultivation service industry), 0132 (Agricultural products sorting industry), 0133 (Livestock and poultry services), and 0134 (Horticulture services). The manufacturing sector saw significant modifications, such as reorganizing the SICS ROC Rev. 2 item 3703 (Automobile manufacturing) into the Rev. 3 group 373 (Automobile and parts manufacturing industry) with items 3731 (Automobiles manufacturing) and 3732 (Automobile parts manufacturing). New services supporting international trade were also established, including 7153 (Shipping agency services), 7155 (Cargo shipping forwarding services), 7156 (Air freight forwarding services), 7157 (Container terminal operations), and 7158 (Vessel leasing services).

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 3

SICS ROC Rev. 3 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Major Division: 10 Major Divisions identified by one-digit numerical codes (0-9) and one Major Division identified by the letter X (Activities not adequately defined).

• Division: 58 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 120 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Item: 412 Items identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 3 - Codes with their titles (in Chinese)

SICS ROC Rev. 2 was in force from 1975 to 1984. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 2, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 1 and SICS ROC Rev. 2

In SICS ROC Rev. 2, there was an increase in detail in all but the first level of the system. New four-digit items include 6231 (Department stores) and 6232 (Supermarkets), 7116 Car rental. In the financial sector the former item 8101 (Banking) was differentiated into 8101 (Domestic banking), and 8102 (Foreign banking). Moreover, the coding of undefined activities changed from the number 0 to the letter X.

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 2

SICS ROC Rev. 2 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Major Division: 10 Major Divisions identified by one-digit numerical codes (0-9) and one Major Division identified by the letter X (Activities not adequately defined).

• Division: 52 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 89 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Item: 330 Items identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 2 - Codes with their titles (in Chinese)

SICS ROC Rev. 1 was in force from 1971 to 1975. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 2, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Changes Between SICS ROC Rev. 0 and SICS ROC Rev. 1

The changes between SICS ROC Rev. 0 and SICS ROC Rev. 1 reflect those made the international standard from ISIC Rev. 1 to ISIC Rev. 2. Accordingly, SICS ROC Rev. 1 switched to a four-level structure and made extensive modifications across the system.

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 1

SICS ROC Rev. 1 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Major Division: 10 Major Divisions identified by one-digit numerical codes.

• Division: 34 Divisions identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 79 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

• Item: 323 Items identified by four-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 1 - Codes with their titles (in Chinese)

SICS ROC Rev. 0 was in force from 1967 to 1971. It is the first edition of the SICS ROC series. While it follows the framework of the United Nation's ISIC Rev. 1, the number of industries at each classification level differs between the two systems.

Structure of SICS ROC Rev. 0

SICS ROC Rev. 0 is structured into four levels, as follows:

• Division: 9 Divisions identified by one-digit numerical codes.

• Major Group: 64 Major Groups identified by two-digit numerical codes.

• Group: 309 Groups identified by three-digit numerical codes.

Resources

• SICS ROC Rev. 0 - Codes with their titles (in Chinese)