North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2012

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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.

5416 - Management, scientific and technical consulting services

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing expert advice and assistance to other organizations on management, environmental, scientific and technical issues.

  • Exclusion(s)

    • providing expert advice and assistance to other organizations on architectural and engineering issues (See 5413 Architectural, engineering and related services)
    • providing expert advice and assistance to other organizations on interior, industrial and graphic design issues (See 5414 Specialized design services)
    • providing expert advice and assistance to other organizations on information technology issues (See 5415 Computer systems design and related services)
54169 - Other scientific and technical consulting services

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on scientific and technical issues.

541690 - Other scientific and technical consulting services

This Canadian industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other Canadian industry, primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on scientific and technical issues.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • agricultural consulting (technical) services
    • agrology consulting services
    • agronomy consulting services
    • economic consulting services
    • energy consulting services
    • livestock breeding consulting services
    • occupational health and safety consulting services
    • physics consulting services
    • safety consulting services

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • contract drilling for oil and gas (See 213111 Oil and gas contract drilling)
    • services to oil and gas extraction (See 213118 Services to oil and gas extraction)
    • real estate advisory services (See 531390 Other activities related to real estate)
    • engineering consulting services (See 541330 Engineering services)
    • providing computer systems integration and design services (See 541514 Computer systems design and related services (except video game design and development))
    • oil field crew supervision (See 561110 Office administrative services)
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