Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News Magazine
PMPN Article Index

Originally Published January 1998

OUR VIEW

Adopting the New Product Codes

The Census Bureau's SIC codes are being replaced with a system that will collect more detailed information about North American industries. Here's what you need to know about the new codes for flexible packaging.

Glenn E. Braswell
President
Flexible Packaging Co.

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA; Washington, DC) recently developed a guidance document to help the flexible packaging industry comply with the Census Bureau's new product codes.

This past December, the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) replaced the well-known Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes that were used by the government to track the size, growth, and economic contribution of all industries.

As part of the transition to the NAICS, the surveys mailed in December will collect information using SIC codes, and the resultant reports will be published in the new NAICS structure. SIC codes included statistics only for U.S. industries, but the new NAICS codes will be used to collect and compare data from industries in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Under the SIC system, flexible packaging was defined with four 4-digit industry codes. Under the NAICS, flexible packaging will be classified with seven 6-digit national industry codes that are better defined, but more lengthy and complex than the SIC codes. The NAICS codes are as follows:

322221 — for coated and laminated packaging paper and plastics film manufacturing.

326112 — for unsupported plastics packaging film and sheet manufacturing.

322223 — for plastics, foil, and coated paper bag manufacturing.

326111 — for unsupported plastics bag manufacturing.

322224 — for uncoated paper and multiwall bag manufacturing.

322225 — for laminated aluminum foil manufacturing for flexible packaging uses.

332999 — for all other miscellaneous fabricated metal product manufacturing.

In 1996, the Census Bureau asked FPA to review the SIC codes for the flexible packaging industry, and the NAICS now incorporates the majority of the product code changes proposed by FPA. Many of these changes were clarifications to eliminate confusion and prevent reporting errors.

FPA members may obtain the translation table free of charge by calling FPA's fax-on-demand service at 888/223-7510 and requesting document #3504. Nonmember converters or suppliers may buy the document for $195 by calling FPA or requesting a publication order form (document #1003) from the fax-on-demand service.

FPA represents manufacturers and suppliers of flexible packaging materials and products. Its member companies produce 85% of the flexible packaging manufactured in the United States. For more information about FPA, call 202/842-3880.