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Revised standard industrial classification will be introduced in 2009

  1. General
  2. Differences between TOL 2008 and TOL 2002
  3. Transition schedule by statistics and time series backwards from 2008
  4. Transition timetables for selected products and services
  5. Combined use of data classified by TOL 2008 and TOL 2002
  6. Data classified by TOL 2008 from the Business Register

1. General

A revised statistical standard industrial classification, TOL 2008, will be introduced in Finland starting from the first release of data on each statistical topic in 2009. A significant deviation from this are national accounts statistics in which TOL 2008 will not be introduced until 2011.

When social and economic structures change, statistics must also be reviewed to ensure that they continue to describe society sufficiently accurately. The standard industrial classification is the most important single classification used in describing economic activity in society.

The currently used classification was thoroughly revised in the early 1990s. Some updates were made to it in 2002, which is why it is referred to as TOL 2002 in Finland. Over the past 15 years many economic structures and procedures have undergone drastic changes. The biggest ones among them are that services have become specialised industries in their own right and are getting more and more important even in manufacturing, and that information and communications technology and related services have grown strongly. The volume of outsourcing is growing continuously. The revised standard industrial classification TOL 2008 is being introduced in response to the challenges arising from these changes.

TOL 2008 is based on the European Union's classification of economic activities, NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council). TOL 2008 is harmonised with NACE Rev. 2 up to the 4-digit level whereas its 5-digit level consists of national categories.

The revised standard industrial classification will be introduced simultaneously in all EU countries. The standard industrial classification of the United Nations will also be harmoniously revised at the same time. However, the introduction timetable is less synchronous outside the European Union.

Transition schedule by statistics

2. Differences between TOL 2008 and TOL 2002

The following will change in the classification

  1. Identifiers, or codes, of all categories
  2. Most of the category titles and descriptions.

The content of the classification has changed most in services into which nearly 100 categories have been added at the most detailed level. New sections for services have also been added to the classification.

Compared to TOL 2002, the structure and content of a number of categories changes in the classification. The most important changes are:

  • Publishing activities have been moved from manufacturing to new section J, Information and communication,
  • Sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and similar activities have been moved from services to new section E, Waster supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities,
  • Specialised installation, repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment manufactured for production use has been removed from manufacturing and made into its own 2-digit level category 33, Repair and installation of machinery and equipment,
  • Retail sale of automotive fuel has been moved under retail trade,
  • In services, present section K (Real estate, renting and business activities) has been divided into three new sections L, M and N
  • Up to around 50 per cent of the categories at the most detailed level of TOL 2002 will be split into two or more categories in TOL 2008.

For further information about TOL 2008, see the Classifications pages in the Metadata section of Statistics Finland's website or the TOL 2008 Handbook due out in November 2008.

3. Transition schedule by statistics and time series backwards from 2008

Each set of statistics will use the new classification starting from its first statistical release in 2009, which in the case of annual statistics could concern data relating to 2008 and in monthly and quarterly statistics data relating to 2009. In the same context, data from earlier years may also be published according to the revised classification where necessary and possible. The backcast time series will vary in length and level of detail by set of statistics. Data concerning 2008 will also continue to be released by the old classification. Application of TOL 2008 in each set of statistics is described on the home page of the statistics concerned (see transition schedule by statistics)

The most important deviation from the timetable is that the revised classification will not be introduced in national accounts and closely related statistics until 2011. Annual statistics on outstanding credit will be produced by the revised classification starting from 2009.

Transition schedule by statistics

4. Transition timetables for selected products and services

The revision of the standard industrial classification will have an effect on most of Statistics Finland's general products and services. In them, TOL 2008 will be introduced as follows:

  • StatFin database service: From the beginning of 2009 as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Altika regional database (Finnish only): From the beginning of 2009 as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Astika time series database: From the beginning of 2009, as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Bulletin of Statistics web service: From the beginning of 2009 as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Bulletin of Statistics printed publication (in Finnish only): From the first issue in 2009 as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Statistical Yearbook of Finland: Starting from the 2009 volume as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Tieto&trendit periodical: Starting from the second issue in 2009 as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Transport and Communications Statistical Yearbook for Finland: Starting from the 2009 volume as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Construction and Housing Yearbook: Starting from the 2009 volume as soon as the revised classification has been introduced in basic statistics,
  • Tailored Trend Indicator Service: Starting from data concerning January 2009,
  • Unit data service from the Business Register: Starting from data concerning 2007 in December 2008.

5. Combined use of data classified by TOL 2008 and TOL 2002

During the transition period up to the middle of 2011, many will have to use data classified by TOL 2008 and TOL 2002 in combination. When past statistics are used together with latest statistics, data classified according to the two different industrial classifications will also have to be combined.

The sections on TOL 2008 on the home pages of different sets of statistics contain specific guidelines for such situations. The following general methods can be used in combining data classified according to the two industrial classifications:

  • A key which makes it possible to deduce direct which old industry best corresponds with each new industry,
  • In cases where a new industry category is composed of elements of several old categories, figures by the new category can be estimated by weighting figures for the old categories by appropriate percentage shares,
  • In cases where a new industry is clearly not composed of elements of one or more old categories, a simple decision has to be made as to the best procedure.

Tables containing the aforementioned percentage shares will be posted on this page in January 2009.

6. Data classified by TOL 2008 from the Business Register

For users needing detailed data by industry, a tailored data service will be offered from Statistics Finland's Business Register starting from the beginning of December 2008.

Inquiries concerning transition: Johanna Leivo (09) 1734 3525 and Tuula Viitaharju (09) 1734 3378

Inquiries concerning classification TOL 2008: Essi Kaukonen (09) 1724 3550 and Tarja Jämsen (09) 1734 3344