Executive Office of the President July 2, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seeks public comment on the advisability of adopting the proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) updates for 2022 recommended by its Economic Classification Policy Committee (ECPC), which comprises representatives of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and other government agencies. The ECPC recommends an update of the industry classification system to clarify existing industry definitions and content, recognize new and emerging industries, combine industries, and correct errors and omissions. The ECPC also recommends an update of OMB Statistical Policy Directive No. 8, Standard Industrial Classification of Establishments, and to withdraw OMB Statistical Policy Directive No. 9, Standard Industrial Classification of Enterprises. In large part, this proposed series of revisions are designed to address the view of the ECPC regarding the decreasing usefulness of employing the mode of delivery (online versus in store/print) as an industry delineation criterion in the Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, and Information sectors. In short, the internet has developed from a specialized activity to a generic method of delivery for goods and services. Therefore, the ECPC has developed recommendations that reevaluate and deemphasize the delivery method as an industry function used in NAICS classification. There are four parts in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Part I summarizes the background for the proposed revisions to NAICS 2017. Part II contains a summary of public comments regarding priorities for changes to NAICS in 2022, the ECPC recommendation to update OMB Statistical Policy Directive No. 8, Standard Industrial Classification of Establishments, and the ECPC recommendation to withdraw OMB Statistical Policy Directive No. 9, Standard Industrial Classification of Enterprises. Part III includes a list of title changes for NAICS industries that clarify, but do not change, the existing content of the industries. Part IV provides a comprehensive listing of proposed changes for national industries and their links to NAICS 2017 industries.