UK beauty industry gains recognition with updated SIC codes for first time since 1948

After seven years of lobbying, the British Beauty Council has secured a historic update to the UK’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes, marking the first change to the system since 1948.

SIC codes, used by governments and agencies worldwide, define a business’s primary activity and underpin how economic data is collected, analysed and understood, shaping perceptions and support for different industries.

Previously, the beauty industry was grouped under a single SIC code alongside unrelated personal services such as laundry, dry cleaning and funeral services. This outdated classification overlooked the diversity of modern beauty, hair, barbering and spa services, causing these sectors to be politically, economically and socially underrepresented.

The UK beauty industry contributes £30.4 billion to GDP - more than the Creative Arts and Entertainment sector - and represents approximately 1.1% of total GDP. Without accurate classification, its full scale and impact remained unclear, prompting the British Beauty Council to seek change.

The updated SIC codes now recognise hair, beauty and spa activities under a new category: ‘Hairdressing, beauty treatment, day-spas and similar activities’ (962). Within this, three distinct classifications have been introduced:

• 9621 – Hairdressing and barber activities.
• 9622 – Beauty care and other beauty treatment activities.
• 9623 – Day spa, sauna and steam bath activities

The change aims to provide greater visibility for these sectors, acknowledging their unique contributions to the UK economy and formally defining professional hair, beauty and spa industries at a government level.

Accurate SIC coding will allow the government and statistical agencies, including the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to better measure the economic impact of these services. Improved data collection will support more targeted government policies and programmes for businesses and workers in the sector.

Professionals, including the self-employed, can now clearly define their sector in official documentation, ensuring that the UK beauty industry has a classification system reflecting its size, diversity and significance both nationally and internationally, and supporting continued growth and recognition.

The achievement also extends beyond the UK, with updates secured for international and European industrial classification frameworks - ISIC and NACE - following approval by the United Nations Statistical Commission.

Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, said: "This has been an issue close to my heart and a core focus of our work since the conception of the council.

"The classifications were outdated and no longer represented the breadth of the multi-faceted industry. We have been told time and time again that it’s near impossible to change how our industry is listed as it was a global coding system; but we persevered, and developed a strong argument for change with the support of our stakeholders. This fantastic win will always be one of my proudest achievements.

"While it has taken time, this reform represents a significant and practical way we can support hairdressing and beauty businesses in navigating their unique economic challenges."

The updated codes and explanatory notes have now been published, with further recommendations from the council to ensure the language reflects today’s professional services landscape. Implementation within the UK’s statistical systems, including the ONS and Government Statistical Service, is expected to occur in phases over the coming years.