Branschkoder

Branschkoder, or industry codes, are standardized identifiers used to classify a company’s primary business activity. In Sweden the prevailing standard is SNI (Svensk Näringsgrensindelning), which aligns with the EU’s NACE classification. Branschkoder are typically four-digit codes that form a hierarchical structure, representing broad sectors, industry groups, and specific activities.

The codes are used by both public authorities and the private sector. They facilitate statistical reporting and comparison of industries by Statistics Sweden (SCB) and other agencies, support tax and regulatory processes through the tax and business registries, and assist in public procurement, market research, and credit assessment. Businesses and advisers use the codes to describe activity consistently across forms and filings.

Assignment and maintenance: When a company is registered, it declares its main activity and an associated SNI code. If the business activity changes, the code can be updated to reflect the new activity. Bolagsverket (the Swedish Companies Registration Office) and other authorities maintain and update official records, while SCB publishes and maintains the list of valid SNI codes publicly.

Practical notes: A company may have a main branschkod and, in some cases, additional codes for secondary activities. Codes are a tool for aggregation and comparison rather than a precise description of every product or service. The official lists and guidance are accessible through SCB and Bolagsverket, providing Swedish equivalents of global industry classification standards. See also SNI, NACE, Bolagsverket, SCB.