NAICS was initially developed and subsequently revised by Mexico's INEGI, Statistics Canada, and the U.S. Economic Classification Policy Committee (the latter acting on behalf of OMB). The goal of this collaboration was to produce common industry definitions for Canada, Mexico, and the United States. These common definitions facilitate economic analyses of the economies of the three North American countries. The statistical agencies in the three countries produce information on inputs and outputs, industrial performance, productivity, unit labor costs, and employment. NAICS, which is based on a production-oriented concept, ensures maximum usefulness of industrial statistics for these and similar purposes.

Also issued in print and on CD-ROM with title: North American industry classification system, United States.

Mode of access: Internet from the U.S. Census Bureau web site. Address as of 4/1/09: http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/; current access is available via PURL.

Description based on: 2002; title from HTML caption (viewed Apr. 1, 2009).

Latest issue consulted: 2012 (viewed June 20, 2012).

CRDP Project record.