FAQ

What is the NOGA and what is it used for?

The General Classification of Economic Activities (NOGA) is a nomenclature that groups all economic activities that can be carried out in a classification with 794 positions at its last level.

From a statistical point of view, the NOGA makes it possible to classify companies according to their main activity and to group them into coherent units. It is thus used as a basis for many economic statistics.

From an administrative point of view, insurance companies, employment agencies, pension funds, etc. use NOGA codes on their own
initiative. For example, to determine their risk premiums. This use can be
explained by the neutral and objective assignment of the NOGA.

Nevertheless, the NOGA was designed for statistical purposes and is not directly linked to any legal basis. Therefore, the use of the NOGA in a non-statistical context is not the responsibility of the FSO.

How is the NOGA structured?

The NOGA code has 5 levels:

• 1^st level: Section = 1 capital letter (not part of the code)
• 2^nd level: Division = 2 digits 
• 3^rd level: Group = 3 digits
• 4^th level: Class = 4 digits
• 5^th level: Type = 6 digits

Each level brings an additional degree of precision to the defined activity. For example, NOGA code 012102 can be broken down as follows:

Section : A – Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Division : 01 - Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities

Groupe : 012 - Growing of perennial crops

Classe : 0121 - Growing of grapes

Genre : 012102 - Viticulture - Vinification and cellaring

Is the NOGA linked to other classifications?

Yes, in order to guarantee international comparability in statistics, the 1^st and 2^nd level of the NOGA is defined by the UN classification of economic activities ISIC. The 3^rd and 4^th level is defined by the European classification of economic activities NACE. Finally, the 5^th level is defined by the FSO and corresponds to a possible additional degree of precision linked to the specificities of the national economic structure.

Who determines my company's NOGA code and how?

Each enterprise registered in the Business and Enterprise Register (BER) has a NOGA code. The assignment and updating of the NOGA code is carried out on the basis of the descriptions of activities provided by the different administrative sources delivering data to the BER and by the BER updating survey. They are part of the standard processes for updating the BER and are carried out by FSO personnel. Possible direct contacts with businesses are also part of the updating sources.

On the basis of which criteria is the NOGA code assigned?

The basic criterion is value added. In the simple case where a unit carries out only one activity, the classification is determined by the NOGA code covering the activity of that unit. If a unit carries out more than one activity, the main activity is the one that contributes most significantly
to the value added produced by the enterprise. 

In cases where this information is not available or cannot be determined, alternative criteria (number of employees, turnover, etc.) and a set of coding rules are used.

How do I know the NOGA code of my company?

It is possible to consult the NOGA code of your company by logging into the UID register with the login information provided by mail when the UID was assigned. If you do not know your login details, you can request them again by contacting the UID hotline. It is also possible to know the NOGA code of your company by sending an email to the NOGA information service.

How can my company's NOGA code be changed?

NOGA codes are used for statistical purposes and can only be modified if the change is based on objective reasons. This can happen in two
cases: 

• If the company changes its main economic activity
• If the company has been incorrectly coded

To change the NOGA code of your company, please fill in the change request form. In order to facilitate the processing of your request, please provide us with all relevant information supporting your request 

Can a company have several NOGA codes?

Each enterprise has a single NOGA code reflecting its main
activity.

However, if an enterprise carries out its activity(ies) in several locations, each location (local unit) will have its own NOGA code reflecting the principal activity carried out in the corresponding location.

Is there a coding assistance tool ?

The KUBB is a web application that allows to assign a NOGA code based on a list of keywords, explanatory notes and coding rules. It is an application used by FSO staff as a support for coding. The tool is freely accessible on the Internet.

Is it possible to get the list of keywords or coding rules contained in the KUBB?

No, the list of keywords as well as the coding rules are only intended for the proper functioning of the KUBB and to help codification. They are not intended to be published.

Is there an interface (API) to retrieve the NOGA code of a company?

Yes, the NOGA code is part of the data that can be retrieved through the BURweb and the UID register's webservice interface. However, for data protection reasons, the NOGA code is not publicly accessible information. Therefore, in both cases, access is restricted to authenticated and authorized users according to the current legal basis.

I would like to complete a database with NOGA codes or I would like to obtain data for a research project. Is this possible?

Yes, for this type of request, please contact the Business and Enterprise Register (BER). Those requests may be subject to a fee.

Is it possible to obtain the NOGA structure in .csv or .xlsx format?

Yes, the NOGA structure (including translations and annotations) is available on the I14Y interoperability platform.

Further information

Form

Links

KUBB - Coding assistance application

Interoperability platform

Related nomenclatures

Contacts