The objective of the present article is to present concepts related to industrial classification systems and to demonstrate both the importance of classification systems and the necessity of correlation between the classification systems in use in different countries. International classification is based on the "International Family of Economic and Social Classifications", which contains classifications of economic activities, products, consumption, education, employment and social factors, amongst others. The scope of the international family of economic and social classifications in relation to activities and products involves reference classifications, (such as the ISIC and the CPA), derived classifications (such as the NACE and the CPC), and related classifications (such as the ANZIC and the NAICS). The harmonization of these classifications is undertaken by organizations which specialize in classification management, such as INDEC in Argentina, INE in Portugal and IBGE in Brazil. This being the case, the classifications of economic activities and products constitute a basic tool for obtaining information and analyzing statistical.
Industrial classification; Sectorial analysis; Statistical information
