North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2017 Version 2.0

54 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this sector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this sector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this sector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this sector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this sector.

541 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this subsector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this subsector.

5414 - Specialized design services

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized design services, except architectural, engineering and computer systems design.

54142 - Industrial design services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in creating and developing designs and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products. These services can include the determination of the materials, construction, mechanisms, shape, colour, and surface finishes of the product, taking into consideration human needs, safety, market appeal and efficiency in production, distribution, use and maintenance.

541420 - Industrial design services

This Canadian industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in creating and developing designs and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • automobile industrial design services
  • furniture design services
  • industrial design consulting services
  • modelling services (for scale models)
  • package design (industrial) services

  All examples

• Inclusion(s)

  • determination of materials, construction, mechanisms, shape, colour, and surface finishes of the product, taking into consideration human needs, safety, market appeal and efficiency in production, distribution, use and maintenance

• Exclusion(s)

  • applying principles of engineering in the design, development and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes and systems (See 541330 Engineering services)
  • designing clothing, shoes and jewellery (See 541490 Other specialized design services)
  • designing, subcontracting the manufacturing and marketing of products (See 31-33 Manufacturing)