The 2002 Economic Census will report a number of new industries--industries just recently definied in the new North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) manual for 2002. NAICS is a scheme created jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico and implemented first for the 1997 Economic Census. In the U.S., NAICS replaced the old Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system used from the 1930s up to 1997.

The countries participating in NAICS determined that the new system would not be allowed to become as dated as the old SIC had become, so changes have been introduced only 5 years after its inception.

The major changes for 2002 occur in two sectors: Construction and Wholesale Trade. In addition, industries in the Information Sector have been restructured, and a few new industries have been added in Retail Trade, both without significant impact on historical comparability.

For more information on specific industries, see the NAICS 2002 website.